Publication Date

1997

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Creamer, Winifred

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Anthropology

LCSH

Mayas--History; Mayas--Antiquities; Yucatán (Mexico : State)--Antiquities

Abstract

This thesis studies the economic and political context of Chunchucmil, a Late Classic Maya site, by comparing its settlement pattern and architectural style with that of four other Maya sites to determine its affiliation with Uxmal and Chichen Itza, the capitals of the Puuc and Itza polities. The data are examined against three models: peer polity interaction, central place theory, and dendritic market economy. The data indicate that Chunchucmil was most likely not the capital of a polity nor does it appear to have been a polity subordinate to the Puuc and Itza polities. The most likely scenario is that Chunchucmil was a collection and distribution center trading salt from the nearby saltworks of Celestun in a dendritic market economy that came under attack by Uxmal, the powerful capital of the Puuc polity, during its apex. Chunchucmil was unable to rival Uxmal's strength and collapsed at the end of the 9th century.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [62]-68)

Extent

vii, 78 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

Download

Share

COinS