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THE LATE AND TERMINAL CLASSIC-PERIOD CAUSEWAY SYSTEMS OF CHICHEN ITZA, YUCATAN, MEXICO

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2002

Rafael Cobos
Affiliation:
Tulane University/Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, 2370 Simpson Farm Way, Smyrna, GA 30080, USA
Terance L. Winemiller
Affiliation:
Department of Geography and Anthropology, Louisiana State University, 227 Hewe/Russell, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA

Abstract

In this paper, we present the results of our recent research on the ancient causeways at the site of Chichen Itza, Yucatan. We first discuss some of the field methods we employed to map and facilitate the discovery of previously unrecorded causeways at the site. We also consider the spatial patterning and chronology of the Late and Terminal Classic periods causeway system at Chichen Itza and make inferences about the functional significance of linked terminal groups and the site-core. The Chichen Itza causeway systems reveals two important moments of Chichen Itza internal structure. During the Late Classic period, Chichen Itza was a socially homogeneous community organized by a loose and decentralized government. During the Terminal Classic period, the causeway system mirrors a centrally governed hierarchically organized community.

Type
SPECIAL SECTION: RECENT RESEARCH ON MAYA CAUSEWAYS
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press

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