Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: This article discusses the results of my diachronic analysis of lithic artifacts collected around Ceibal, Guatemala, in order to elucidate one aspect of long-term changing patterns in the pre-Columbian Maya economic systems and warfare. The importation of large polyhedral obsidian cores and local production of prismatic blades began as the result of sociopolitical development in Ceibal during the early Middle Preclassic Real-Xe phase. El Chayal obsidian was heavily used during the early Middle Preclassic period, while San Martín Jilotepeque was the principal source in the late Middle Preclassic, Late Preclassic, and Terminal Preclassic periods, and El Chayal once more became the major source in Ceibal during the Classic period. There is increasing evidence of the production and use of chert and obsidian points in the central part of Ceibal during the Late and Terminal Classic periods, indicating elites' direct involvement in warfare. Although the spear or dart points were predominant weapons in Classic Maya warfare, the increase in both chert small unifacial points and obsidian prismatic blade points in Ceibal points to bow-and-arrow technology by the Terminal Classic period.
Source: Ancient Mesoamerica
Author: Kazuo Aoyama
Institution: Ibaraki University
Language: English
Subfield: History
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,550
Awards: Classic Maya Domestic Lives and Socioeconomic Organization, A Study of diachronic changes of ancient Maya political and economic organization, G30584680, G3394739178, A Basic Study of Preclassic Maya Daily lives and Socioeconomic Organization, G40156297, G4175112374, G5747798474, G6468969920, G6991523430, A Study of Classic Maya Domestic Life: Analyses of the Artifacts from Aguateca, Guatemala., G7373063623
OpenAlex ID: W2617836627