ANTHROP 2VV3 Lecture : The Northern Lowlands
9 Jan 2012
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Document Summary
Ad 750-1050 time of greatest florescence in northern yucatan. 3 distinct regional developments: puuc centres of western yucatan, classic maya kingdoms of east (coba, chichen itza in north central yucatan. Unique stone mosaic architectural facades, free standing arches, multi-storey palaces: multi-storey palaces can only be found in the puuc centres, defining characteristic of this region. Elite culture mixed ideas from south and from non-maya cultures to the west. Major growth as southern kingdoms went into decline. Ad 770-900 centres grew, expansion into marginal areas. Began as series of small independent kingdoms. In the 9th century, large regional alliances resulted from warfare, status rivalry. Puuc leaders drew on power sharing system involving councils of lineage heads. Council house (popolna, meaning mat ) where leader conferred with them, local leaders: kings dealt in consultation manner with local leaders. Long-distance trade along gulf coast, inland-coastal trade, water storage systems. Helped evolve more flexible institutions of leadership, more directly involved in economy.
