by Jessica Munson and Takeshi Inomata

Antiquity Online article

Introduction

The Middle Preclassic period (c. 900–300 BC) in Maya prehistory has long been recognised as a time of intense interregional exchange throughout Mesoamerica from which the attributes of later Maya civilisation developed. Archaeological research conducted at various sites in the Maya lowlands has significantly broadened our understanding of the social diversity characterising this formative period. For example, the discovery of painted murals at San Bartolo (Saturno et al. 2006) and monumental sculpture at Cival (Estrada-Belli et al. 2003a & b) represent early examples of dynastic ideology, indicating that notions of Maya kingship were well established by the end of the Preclassic period. Yet we still know very little about these positions of authority, how they developed, and their intersection with the rest of society during the earliest phase of Maya prehistory. Read More