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(1 - 5 of 5)
- Title
- WATER AND THE MOUNTAINS: MAYA WATER MANGEMENT AT CARACOL, BELIZE.
- Creator
-
Crandall, James, Chase, Arlen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Water management techniques in the Southern Maya Lowlands are both regionally diverse and site specific. This thesis examines the water management strategies of the Classic Period Maya at the site of Caracol, Belize. While it is likely that elites at Caracol controlled the redistribution of resources, i.e. craft and agricultural products, it is probable that the production of agricultural resources and the maintenance of water resource acquisition took place on a more local level. In order to...
Show moreWater management techniques in the Southern Maya Lowlands are both regionally diverse and site specific. This thesis examines the water management strategies of the Classic Period Maya at the site of Caracol, Belize. While it is likely that elites at Caracol controlled the redistribution of resources, i.e. craft and agricultural products, it is probable that the production of agricultural resources and the maintenance of water resource acquisition took place on a more local level. In order to test this hypothesis, a sample of five reservoirs were examined through original research – and situated in conjunction with past settlement studies - to determine the water storage capacity and likely function of different water management features throughout the built environment of Caracol. As a result, this thesis argues that the placement and construction of water management features - i.e., reservoirs - at the site of Caracol, Belize are indicative of specific landscape patterns which are expressed by a distinct vernacular construction style and are also a reflection of the socio-political organization present within the site during the Late Classic Period.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002652, ucf:48246
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002652
- Title
- FISH FROM AFAR: MARINE RESOURCE USE AT CARACOL, BELIZE.
- Creator
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Cunningham-Smith, Petra, Chase, Arlen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The ancient Maya had strong ties to the sea. The trade, transportation and use of marine resources were important not only to coastal Maya communities, but also to the heavily populated cities that lay many miles inland. A review of zooarchaeological evidence recovered from excavations at the inland site of Caracol, Belize suggests that the inhabitants imported marine fish for food, marine shell for working into trade items, and sharks teeth and stingray spines for ritual use. This thesis...
Show moreThe ancient Maya had strong ties to the sea. The trade, transportation and use of marine resources were important not only to coastal Maya communities, but also to the heavily populated cities that lay many miles inland. A review of zooarchaeological evidence recovered from excavations at the inland site of Caracol, Belize suggests that the inhabitants imported marine fish for food, marine shell for working into trade items, and sharks teeth and stingray spines for ritual use. This thesis examines the manner in which fish and other marine resources were used, procured and transported from the coast to the site of Caracol. The possibility that certain marine fish might have been transported alive to the site is explored. An examination of present day fishing and animal husbandry practices suggests that many species could have survived an inland trip in ancient times if transported under conditions that allowed for water exchanges and minimized stress. Marine resources had important economic and ritual significance to the people of Caracol. Understanding the methods by which these valuable items were transported and traded ultimately facilitates a greater understanding of the economic and socio-political relationships among these ancient polities.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0004018, ucf:49162
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004018
- Title
- TOOLS OF A LOCAL ECONOMY: STANDARDIZATION AND FUNCTION AMONG SMALL CHERT TOOLS FROM CARACOL, BELIZE.
- Creator
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Martindale Johnson, Lucas, Chase, Arlen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis undertakes detailed analysis of a sample of 229 small chert tools from a single locus at the Maya site of Caracol, Belize. Emphasis is placed on determining the function of these tools and on the nature of their use in the broader Caracol economic system. Analysis sought to determine whether they were used for day-to-day household tasks or for specialized craft activity within the specified household locus and/or if they were prepared for broader distribution at Caracol. By...
Show moreThis thesis undertakes detailed analysis of a sample of 229 small chert tools from a single locus at the Maya site of Caracol, Belize. Emphasis is placed on determining the function of these tools and on the nature of their use in the broader Caracol economic system. Analysis sought to determine whether they were used for day-to-day household tasks or for specialized craft activity within the specified household locus and/or if they were prepared for broader distribution at Caracol. By focusing detailed analysis on artifacts from a single locus, greater insight is provided into the impact of household production on the overall Caracol economy. The thesis draws on traditional techniques of lithic analysis, while assessing tool morphology and chert reduction techniques; however, it is different from previous analyses in the Maya area in that it develops and applies specific quantifiable statistical methods (e.g., Chi-square and Coefficient of Variable) for particular tool type(s) used in the production and modification of crafts. Application of quantifiable methods and a detailed level of analysis helps to differentiate and determine chert tool variation or standardization, thus establishing ideal tool types within a craft production locus. The determination of the presence of standardization and ideal tool types elucidates that craft production was indeed taking place just outside the epicenter at Caracol and therefore suggests that not only were elites controlling the distribution of crafts via markets located at and along causeway and termini, but may have controlled the production of crafts as well. Future research aims to reanalyze tools from previously excavated craft production areas and also plans to test for the presence of additional crafting areas at or near the site's epicenter. A detailed analysis of a craft production locus and small chert flake tools reveals insight into the nature of the ancient Maya economy and into models of control over resources.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002394, ucf:47748
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002394
- Title
- Maya Use and Prevalence of the Atlatl: Projectile Point Classification Function Analysis from Chich(&)#233;n Itz(&)#225;, Tikal, and Caracol.
- Creator
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Ciofalo, Andrew, Chase, Arlen, Chase, Diane, Barber, Sarah, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Multiple scholars have briefly discussed the Maya use of the atlatl. Yet, there has never been a decisive encompassing discussion of prevalence and use of the atlatl in the Maya region with multiple lines of support from iconographic and artifactual analyses. This thesis explores the atlatl at Chich(&)#233;n Itz(&)#225;, Tikal, and Caracol Maya sites to prove that atlatl prevalence can be interpreted primarily based on projectile point (")classification function(") analysis with support from...
Show moreMultiple scholars have briefly discussed the Maya use of the atlatl. Yet, there has never been a decisive encompassing discussion of prevalence and use of the atlatl in the Maya region with multiple lines of support from iconographic and artifactual analyses. This thesis explores the atlatl at Chich(&)#233;n Itz(&)#225;, Tikal, and Caracol Maya sites to prove that atlatl prevalence can be interpreted primarily based on projectile point (")classification function(") analysis with support from iconographic and artifactual remains. The classification functions are derived from creating mutually exclusive groups of dart points and arrow points by using discrete functional analysis. Discerning between dart and arrow points can be completed with a high degree of accuracy based on maximum shoulder width of lithic points in an assemblage. Because the atlatl and bow complexes have been primarily constructed of perishable materials, the best method to determine the prevalence of atlatl use is by identifying the launcher based on projectile point identification. Using a cross-site comparison of projectile point size, the Maya use and prevalence of the atlatl will be elucidated.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004193, ucf:49034
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004193
- Title
- A PROPOSED METHODOLOGY FOR PREDICTING THE CARBON AND NITROGEN STABLE ISOTOPE MEASURES OF K'INICH YAX K'UK MO', COPAN DYNASTIC FOUNDER.
- Creator
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Edwards, Keith, Chase, Dr. Arlen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this thesis is to show that stable isotope analysis can be used to predict K'inich Yax K'uk Mo's stable isotope measures based on Stuart's (2007) hypothesis that K'inich Yax K'uk Mo', the dynastic founder of the Copan royal lineage, was a Caracol lord. There is significant and convincing evidence that K'inich Yak K'uk Mo' had a non-Copanec origin. Stable isotope analysis is a tested and reliable method for detailing diets and migratory paths of ancient humans and this theory is...
Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is to show that stable isotope analysis can be used to predict K'inich Yax K'uk Mo's stable isotope measures based on Stuart's (2007) hypothesis that K'inich Yax K'uk Mo', the dynastic founder of the Copan royal lineage, was a Caracol lord. There is significant and convincing evidence that K'inich Yak K'uk Mo' had a non-Copanec origin. Stable isotope analysis is a tested and reliable method for detailing diets and migratory paths of ancient humans and this theory is applied as a predictor of the stable isotope measures of K'inich Yax K'uk Mo', if he did in fact originate in Caracol. The literature is rich with explanations of stable isotopes and the writings of a few stalwarts in the field were utilized to gain an understanding of the associated technologies and techniques utilized in its analysis. Data from the Copan (Whittington and Reed 1997) and Caracol (Chase and Chase 2001) stable isotope studies were utilized to show the application of stable isotope analysis in areas "associated" with K'inich Yax K'uk Mo' and to illustrate how the palace diet identified by Chase and Chase (2001; Chase et al. 2001) could be aligned with the Stuart hypothesis to predict the stable isotope ranges for K'inich Yax K'uk Mo'.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003876, ucf:48722
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003876
