Ancient Maya Cityscapes: Insights from Lagartera and Margarita, Quintana Roo, Mexico: Insights from Lagartera and Margarita, Quintana Roo, Mexico

This study examines the spatial organization and long-term development of two ancient Maya centres Lagartera and Margarita located in south-central Quintana Roo, Mexico, that were occupied from the Middle Preclassic (ca. 500 B.C.) to the Terminal Classic (ca. A.D. 1000). Archaeological research at these two sites was designed to investigate the socio-political factors responsible for their different layouts. Spatial data, obtained through survey and mapping, and chronological data, obtained through excavations, were used to identify patterns in the built environments and to reconstruct the history of occupation of each site. By comparing the layout, composition, temporal development, and regional context of Lagartera and Margarita, this study highlights various dimensions of variability among ancient Maya centres and discusses the sources of this variability. "This study examines the spatial organization and long-term development of two ancient Maya centres - Lagartera and Margarita - located in south-central Quintana Roo, Mexico, that were occupied from the Middle Preclassic (ca. 500 B.C.) to the Terminal Classic (ca. A.D. 1000). Archaeological research at these two sites was designed to investigate the socio-political factors responsible for their different layouts. Spatial data, obtained through survey and mapping, and chronological data, obtained through excavations, were used to identify patterns in the built environments and to reconstruct the history of occupation of each site. By comparing the layout, composition, temporal development, and regional context of Lagartera and Margarita, this study highlights various dimensions of variability among ancient Maya centres and discusses the sources of this variability."--Publisher's website Front Cover Title Page Copyright Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables Acknowledgements Chapter 1: The Nature and Role of Ancient Maya Major Centers Chapter 2: Central Quintana Roo: Natural Setting and Archaeological Background Chapter 3: Lagartera Chapter 4: Margarita Chapter 5: Lagartera and Margarita: Dimensions and Sources of Variability Chapter 6: Divergent Urban Patterns as Materialized Sociopolitical Strategies Appendix A Appendix B Bibliography