8. Early Classic Flashcards
Notes 8
early classic
250 CE - 550
End of the Late Preclassic in the lowlands: Cultural Developments
Writing becomes more common (on portable objects)
Pottery is imported from the southeast and new forms and styles appear
Jade and Spondylus (shell with jade beads) become more common
New trade with central mexico (obsidian)
Tombs of rulers appear
masks become more human in appearance
defensive fortifications increase
End of the Late Preclassic in the lowlands: Major developments
Between 50 BCE and 150 CE: Cities with growing populations
Agriculture became increasingly intensive
Early form of kingship further develops
El Mirador declines ca. 150 CE
writing on portable objects
Dumbarton
Oaks Pectoral ( early stone pectoral from southeast mexico)
Kichpanha Bone (pectoral engraved on bone)
Usultan Pottery
early classic new form of pottery spreads throughout the lowlands from
Guatemala, western Honduras, and El Salvador
Polychrome Painting
Pottery painted in various colors becomes more common
Obsidian and Chert Blades
Pachuca Green
obsidian blades
(Central Mexico)
from Altun Ha and
El Mirador
Defensive Fortifications
Edzna defensive moat
El mirador defensive wall
Collapse of El Mirador
abandoned by 150 CE
Reasons for collapse:
Large fortifications indicate warfare concerns
soil erosion due to mass deforestation
Led to population movements out of the
Mirador area to centers to the north (e.g.,
Naachtun)
Defining the Early Classic
Long count calendar dates appear on monuments (used to document events: accession of rulers, major battles, important ceremonies etc.)
Construction of large architectural projects
Refinement of mayan writing and art
Independent city states ruled by dynastic kings
Spread of Teotihuacan influence into the Maya
region
Classic Maya divine kingship
divine institution where rulers were seen as
intermediaries between the gods and the people
Mayan king designated as the “K’uhul ajaw” (Holy Lord) and is responsible for maintaining cosmic order and prosperity
Performed sacred rituals (bloodletting to communicate with the gods)
Rule was dynastic, passed down through royal lineage to maintain power
Preclassic vs Classic Kingship
Preclassic: depictions are restricted to elite audiences
Classic: Depictions meant for public audiences
Preclassic: Kings not considered god-like figures
Classic: King is seen as living god “K’uhul ajaw”
Preclassic: Private texts used to designated ownership
Classic: Dynastic Rule
Preclassic: No public proclamation of royal authority
Classic :Use of texts in public settings to
proclaim royal authority and legitimize
their rule
Preclassic:No carved stone portraits of kings or
records of their achievements using
Long Count dates
Classic: Numerous carved stone portraits of
kings and many records of their
achievements
Early Classic Dynastic
Rulers and City States
Major city centres and their dynasties include:
Tikal (Mutul)
Naachtun and Calakmul (Suutz)
Dzibanche (Kanuu’l)
Copan (Yax Kʼukʼ Moʼ)
Emblem Glyphs
Pectoral signifying .
e.g. k’uhul ajaw …. (Holy lord of …)
North Acropolis
Excavations in the late 1950s
and 60s exposed deeply
buried Late Preclassic
architecture and burials
