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Maya Settlement and Trade on Ambergris Caye, Belize

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2010

Thomas H. Guderjan
Thomas H. Guderjan
Affiliation:
Anthropology Program, St. Mary's University, San Antonio, TX 78228, USA
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Abstract

Archaeological fieldwork was conducted on Ambergris Caye, Belize, for three years beginning in 1986. Nineteen archaeological sites were identified during survey work. Intensive excavations were conducted at three sites and limited excavation at several others. In addition, a fourth site has been excavated by another party. This data base gives us the opportunity to examine the diachronic and functional variability of the archaeological record.

Resume

Investigaciones arqueológicas se condujeron por tres años en Cayo Ambergris, Belice, empezando en 1986. Durante la prospección se identificaron 19 sitios arqueólogicos. Se realizaron excavaciones intensivas en tres sitios y excavaciones limitadas en algunos más. Además, un cuarto sitio fue excavado por otro proyeto. Esta base de datos nos proporciona la oportunidad de examinar la variabilidad temporal y fun-cional del registro arqueológico.

La primera ocupación de Ambergris data del período preclásico tardio y en el clásico temprano se empezó a formar un patrón que continuó creciendo hasta el clásico terminal. Los asentamientos localizados en el área protegida de la isla participaron en una prospera red de intercambio. Al mismo tiempo, los asentamientos en el área no protegida de la costa del Caribe no tuvieron el mismo acceso a bienes exóticos y no construyeron arquitectura formal. Los sitios relacionados con el intercambio están localizados relativamente cerca del uno al otro, más o menos 5 km, y no exhiben evidencia de conflicto. Los datos de Ambergris demuestran que el sistema de intercambio que existió durante el periodo clásico tardio fue mucho más intenso que lo anticipado.

Al final del periodo clásico se produjo un cambio fundamental en l a vida de Cayo Ambergris. Los asentamientos costeros que participaron en la red de intercambio fueron abandonados. Aunque ciertas actividades parecen haber sido consolidadas en el sitio de Marco González, un nuevo patron de asentamiento también emergió. Para el periodo postclásico temprano, una adaptación basada en recursos terrestres en lugar de marítimos se desarrolló en el interior norteño de Cayo Ambergris. Este cambio coincide con aquel ocurrida en la situación económica y politica maya en las tierras bajas del sur y nos da una nueva perspectiva para observar la organización institucional de los mayas.

Type
Articles
Information
Ancient Mesoamerica , Volume 6 , Spring 1995 , pp. 147 - 159
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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