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An Early Classic Center in the Puuc Region

New data from Chac II, Yucatan, Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 October 2008

Michael P. Smyth ,
José Ligorred Perramon ,
David Ortegón Zapata  and
Pat Farrell
Michael P. Smyth
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789-4499, USA
José Ligorred Perramon
Affiliation:
Centro Regional de Yucatán, Institute Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Apartado Postal 1015, Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico97310
David Ortegón Zapata
Affiliation:
Centro Regional de Yucatán, Institute Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Apartado Postal 1015, Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico97310
Pat Farrell
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Minnesota, Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
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Abstract

A comprehensive site survey and excavation program took place in 1995 and 1996 at the Maya center of Chac II (Chac) located within the Puuc hills region of Yucatan, Mexico. This work presents a body of evidence in support of the idea that Chac was an important center beginning in the Early Classic period (a.d. 300–600) that experienced significant foreign contacts. In addition, multifaceted data from surface, soil, architectural, and excavated contexts are addressing major questions pertaining to architectural and ceramic chronologies, the founding of the Puuc stoneworking tradition, site activity areas, and patterns of land use. Furthermore, dating indicates that Chac predated Sayil and that the two sites have a close geographical relationship. Also, terrace agriculture appears to have been widespread at Chac, contrasting greatly with Sayil where intensive gardening was widely practiced. In light of the new information from Chac, we argue that the traditional models of Puuc origins are inadequate. Investigations at a major Early Classic site in the heart of the Puuc region suggests that the region's rise was indigenous coupled with external ties to foreign groups reaching to central Mexico. The site of Chac is thus taking on strategic importance for understanding the origins of Puuc civilization, providing a rare opportunity to study a Maya center that was on the brink of urbanism in one of the most urban ancient Maya areas. These new data are helping to elucidate the nature of Maya urbanism in the Puuc region and establish the kinds of cultural links that existed between the northern Maya Lowlands and the rest of Mesoamerica during the Classic period.

Type
Articles
Information
Ancient Mesoamerica , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , Fall 1998 , pp. 233 - 257
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

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