Final Flashcards
(24 cards)
religious hybridity
when you have a spiritual belief that is made up of one or more religion
Classic Maya Royal Court:
“the big stuff” all of the large structures that you think of, grandiose architecture that was the center of politics and religion
Community Archaeology
the inclusion of local mayan community with the exploration of the archaeologists, so that they understand and know what is happening, doing research with them instead of about them
Kukulkan
a mayan term for a feather serpent
Emblem Glyphs
the motifs that are the gills that are more logographic, and spell out things for a specific place
Axis Mundi
the center of the world, important because rulers would position themselves as the center of the world
Cháak
the rain god, still recognized currently
Calakmul
a very powerful site with many battles between calakmul and tekal.
Sayil & Uxmal:
Both cities thrived during the Late Classic period (600–900 CE) and were part of a network of Puuc sites characterized by ornate, carved stone facades.
Jasaw Chan K’awiil
the 26 ruler of Tikal with a long rule, burried in temple 1
Quetzal Feathers
long blue green iridescent feathers from the quetzal bird, but had to be trapped
Ramada church
the old colonial structure it had a roman arch, lots of the church was made of perishable materials
Kaqchikel
a highland Maya people that still exists,
Corbelled arch/vault
a arch with a triangle shape with stones that were balanced until they met in the middle, is a big deal because it was difficult to do and was a symbol of engineering in the Maya region
Patron deity/patron saint
A specific diety or saint for a place
Melipona beechii
a genus species for the stingless bees, good for honey and wax
K’uhul ajaw
the term used on emblem glyphs for a ruler or priest
El Castillo @ Chichen Itzá
the main pyramid of chichen, with feather serpent imagery, when the sun sets on the solar equinox the serpent appears to slyther
God L
diety of merchants, represented with jaguar skin smoking a cigar
Ceiba Tree
symbolic tree, the roots are in the underworld, the trunk is in our world, and the upper branches and leavers are in the upper world
3 plants in mesoamerica
cacao, maize, tobacco
K’inich Janab Pakal
he ruled over pelenke, he is well known because of reasserting the power in pelenke, and is known for his 2 sons who also ruled. His burial place being so spectacular and the fact that everything is so well documented about him is why we know so much He is buried in the most spectacular mayan tomb, called the temple of the inscriptions
Compare and contrast the Classic with the Postclassic period. Discuss how the two time-periods were different. In your answer, reference two archaeological sites from the Classic period and two from Postclassic times.
Classic was from 250-900 CE
-Tikal and Copán
- Dominated by powerful city-states ruled by divine kings.
-Monumental architecture, including towering pyramids and elaborate plazas.
-Extensive use of hieroglyphic writing and calendar systems.
-Economy based on agriculture, trade, and tribute.
Postclassic was from 900-1500 CE
-Shift to more decentralized political structures with alliances and confederations.
-Increased emphasis on trade and coastal settlements.
-Simplified architectural styles and reduced use of hieroglyphic writing.
-Greater influence of Toltec culture and militaristic iconography.
-Chichen Itza and Mayapan
When did Spanish colonization of the Maya region take place? Discuss three strategies of Spanish conquest and whether, in your opinion, they were successful or unsuccessful. What can we learn about Spanish colonization from the Popol Vuh and other Mayan-language sources?
-Began in the early 16th century
-relied on military force and alliance (effective short term, however in the long run the mayans resisted for a very long time, even surviving today)
-Religious conversion (partial success because of religious hybridity)
-Cultural assimilation: good for the Spanish economy, but it culturally devastated the mayans
