Bridging the Chasm between Religion and Politics : Archaeological Investigations of the Grietas (Chasms) at the Late Classic Maya Site of Aguateca, Peten, Guatemala

ISBN-13: 9783639066746 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 308 str.

Reiko Ishihara

Opis

This book presents the findings of the archaeologicalinvestigations conducted in the Grieta Principal(Main Chasm in Spanish), a large chasm that runsthrough the middle of the Late Classic Maya site ofAguateca, Peten, Guatemala. The central location ofthe chasm, in addition to the incorporation of thefeature in the place name glyph, suggest itsreligious importance to the local people. Theobjectives of the study consisted of examining thenature of chasm use, spatial and temporaltransformations in use, and how practices in thechasm correlated with the historical processes of thedynasty and the Aguateca inhabitants. This research expands the current field'sunderstanding of the definition of a "cave" in Mayareligion. The data point to a principal use as aplace where ritual practices were performed insidethe chasm. It is plausible that the chasm served afocal position in establishing the "sacred landscape"that agreed with a cosmologically significant spatialconfiguration. More importantly, however, this studyattempts to elucidate social negotiations revolvingaround the dynamic production of landscape.

O autorze

Reiko Ishihara is Visiting Professor at the Institute of
Interethnic Studies, University of San Carlos, Guatemala. She
also works as an independent consultant with various international
development agencies on public education projects. She received
her Ph.D. from the Department of Anthropology, University of
California, Riverside, in 2007.