The Maya and Teotihuacan: Reinterpreting Early Classic Interaction (The Linda Schele Series in Maya and Pre-Columbian Studies)

The contributors to this volume present extensive new evidence from archaeology, iconography, and epigraphy to offer a more nuanced understanding of the interaction between the Early Classic Maya and Teotihuacan. Winner, Choice Outstanding Academic Book, 2005 Since the 1930s, archaeologists have uncovered startling evidence of interaction between the Early Classic Maya and the great empire of Teotihuacan in Central Mexico. Yet the exact nature of the relationship between these two ancient Mesoamerican civilizations remains to be fully deciphered. Many scholars have assumed that Teotihuacan colonized the Maya region and dominated the political or economic systems of certain key centers—perhaps even giving rise to state-level political organizations. Others argue that Early Classic rulers merely traded with Teotihuacan and skillfully manipulated its imported exotic goods and symbol sets to increase their prestige. Moving beyond these traditional assumptions, the contributors to this volume present extensive new evidence from archaeology, iconography, and epigraphy to offer a more nuanced understanding of the interaction between the Early Classic Maya and Teotihuacan. Investigating a range of Maya sites, including Kaminaljuyu, Copán, Tikal, Altun Ha, and Oxkintok, they demonstrate that the influence of Teotihuacan on the Maya varied in nature and duration from site to site, requiring a range of models to explain the patterns of interaction. Moreover, they show that the interaction was bidirectional and discuss how the Maya in turn influenced Teotihuacan. I Can Say Unequivocally That This Volume Will Become A Basic And Heavily Used Reference And Source Of Ideas. . . . Geoff Braswell Is To Be Commended For Bringing Together So Solid, Comprehensive, Pertinent, And Balanced A Compilation Of Research And Thought On This Topic As Is Represented By This Collection. --joseph W. Ball, Professor Of Anthropology And Archaeology, San Diego State University Since The 1930s, Archaeologists Have Uncovered Startling Evidence Of Interaction Between The Early Classic Maya And The Great Empire Of Teotihuacan In Central Mexico. Yet The Exact Nature Of The Relationship Between These Two Ancient Mesoamerican Civilizations Remains To Be Fully Deciphered. Many Scholars Have Assumed That Teotihuacan Colonized The Maya Region And Dominated The Political Or Economic Systems Of Certain Key Centers--perhaps Even Giving Rise To State-level Political Organizations. Others Argue That Early Classic Rulers Merely Traded With Teotihuacan And Skillfully Manipulated Its Imported Exotic Goods And Symbol Sets To Increase Their Prestige. Moving Beyond These Traditional Assumptions, The Contributors To This Volume Present Extensive New Evidence From Archaeology, Iconography, And Epigraphy To Offer A More Nuanced Understanding Of The Interaction Between The Early Classic Maya And Teotihuacan. Investigating A Range Of Maya Sites, Including Kaminaljuyu, Copan, Tikal, Altun Ha, And Oxkintok, They Demonstrate That The Influence Of Teotihuacan On The Maya Varied In Nature And Duration From Site To Site, Requiring A Range Of Models To Explain The Patterns Of Interaction. Moreover, They Show That The Interaction Was Bidirectional And Discuss How The Maya In Turn Influenced Teotihuacan. ... Publisher Description. Teotihuacan, Militarism, And Pacific Guatemala / Frederick J. Bove And Sonia Medrano Busto -- Dating Early Classic Interaction Between Kaminaljuyu And Central Mexico / Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Understanding Early Classic Interaction Between Kaminaljuyu And Central Mexico / Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Founding Events And Teotihuacan Connections At Copán, Honduras / Robert J. Sharer -- Problematical Deposits And The Problem Of Interaction / Maria Josefa Iglesias Ponce De León -- Architectural Aspects Of Interaction Between Tikal And Teotihuacan During The Early Classic Period / Juan Pedro Laporte -- Images Of Power And The Power Of Images / James Borowicz -- Teotihuacan At Altun Ha / David M. Pendergast -- Teotihuacan And Oxkintok / Carmen Varela Torrecilla And Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Tetitla And The Maya Presence At Teotihuacan / Karl A. Taube -- Teotihuacan And Early Classic Interaction / Geroge L. Cowgill -- Maya And Teotihuacan / Joyce Marcus. Geoffrey E. Braswell, Editor. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [357]-405) And Index. Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto -- Geoffrey E. Braswell Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Geoffrey E. Braswell Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Robert J. Sharer Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Robert J. Sharer -- Maria Josefa Iglesias Ponce de León Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Robert J. Sharer -- Maria Josefa Iglesias Ponce de León -- Juan Pedro Laporte Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Robert J. Sharer -- Maria Josefa Iglesias Ponce de León -- Juan Pedro Laporte -- James Borowicz Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Robert J. Sharer -- Maria Josefa Iglesias Ponce de León -- Juan Pedro Laporte -- James Borowicz -- David M. Pendergast Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Robert J. Sharer -- Maria Josefa Iglesias Ponce de León -- Juan Pedro Laporte -- James Borowicz -- David M. Pendergast -- Carmen Varela Torrecilla and Geoffrey E. Braswell Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Robert J. Sharer -- Maria Josefa Iglesias Ponce de León -- Juan Pedro Laporte -- James Borowicz -- David M. Pendergast -- Carmen Varela Torrecilla and Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Karl A. Taube Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Robert J. Sharer -- Maria Josefa Iglesias Ponce de León -- Juan Pedro Laporte -- James Borowicz -- David M. Pendergast -- Carmen Varela Torrecilla and Geoffrey E. Braswell -- Karl A. Taube -- George L. Cowgill Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto-- Geoffrey E. Braswell-- Geoffrey E. Braswell-- Robert J. Sharer-- Maria Josefa Iglesias Ponce de León-- Juan Pedro Laporte-- James Borowicz-- David M. Pendergast-- Carmen Varela Torrecilla and Geoffrey E. Braswell-- Karl A. Taube-- George L. Cowgill-- Joyce Marcus. Contents 8 Figure List 10 Foreword 14 Chapter 1: Introduction: Reinterpreting Early Classic Interaction, by Geoffrey E. Braswell 20 Chapter 2: Teotihuacan,Militarism, and Pacific Guatemala, by Frederick J. Bove and Sonia Medrano Busto 64 Chapter 3: Dating Early Classic Interaction between Kaminaljuyu and Central Mexico, by Geoffrey E. Braswell 100 Chapter 4: Understanding Early Classic Interaction between Kaminaljuyu and Central Mexico, by Geoffrey E. Braswell 124 Chapter 5: Founding Events and Teotihuacan Connections at Copán, Honduras, by Robert J. Sharer 162 Chapter 6: Problematical Deposits and the Problem of Interaction: The Material Culture of Tikal during the Early Classic Period, by María Josefa Iglesias Ponce de León 186 Chapter 7: Architectural Aspects of Interaction between Tikal and Teotihuacan during the Early Classic Period, by Juan Pedro Laporte 218 Chapter 8: Images of Power and the Power of Images: Early Classic Iconographic Programs of the Carved Monuments of Tikal, by James Borowicz 236 Chapter 9: Teotihuacan at Altun Ha: Did It Make a Difference? by David M. Pendergast 254 Chapter 10: Teotihuacan and Oxkintok: New Perspectives from Yucatán, by Carmen Varela Torrecilla and Geoffrey E. Braswell 268 Chapter 11: Tetitla and the Maya Presence at Teotihuacan, by Karl A.Taube 292 Chapter 12: Teotihuacan and Early Classic Interaction: A Perspective from Outside the Maya Region, by George L. Cowgill 334 Chapter 13: The Maya and Teotihuacan, by Joyce Marcus 356 Bibliography 376 Index 426 Since the 1930s, archaeologists have uncovered startling evidence of interaction between the Early Classic Maya and the great empire of Teotihuacan in Central Mexico. Yet the exact nature of the relationship between these two ancient Mesoamerican civilizations remains to be fully deciphered. Many scholars have assumed that Teotihuacan colonized the Maya region and dominated the political or economic systems of certain key centers--perhaps even giving rise to state-level political organizations. Others argue that Early Classic rulers merely traded with Teotihuacan and skillfully manipulated its imported exotic goods and symbol sets to increase their prestige.
Moving beyond these traditional assumptions, the contributors to this volume present extensive new evidence from archaeology, iconography, and epigraphy to offer a more nuanced understanding of the interaction between the Early Classic Maya and Teotihuacan. Investigating a range of Maya sites, including Kaminaljuyu, Copán, Tikal, Altun Ha, and Oxkintok, they demonstrate that the influence of Teotihuacan on the Maya varied in nature and duration from site to site, requiring a range of models to explain the patterns of interaction. Moreover, they show that the interaction was bidirectional and discuss how the Maya in turn influenced Teotihuacan.