2005 Exploring the Roles of Temples at Yalbac. Research Reports ...

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Exploring the Role Yalbac TemplesFigure 4. Figurine fragment from Structure 2F, perhaps of God N.temple (God N)? It is attached to Str. 2G,which on closer inspection might turn out tobe an artificial pool (it is quite steep on allsides). What is the significance of theballcourt being attached at the front of thelargest temple (Str. 2A)? Were the ballcourtand temple a stage for re-enacting creationrites, since ballcourts play a large role inorigin myths (Schele and Miller 1986:243-245)? Its proximity to the acropolis mightindicate it association with the ruling family.Further, its location on the largest and mostaccessible plaza indicates large audiences.Plaza 3 temples might represent anecropolis, perhaps for founding and royalfamilies; the large plaza size suggests thatpublic ceremonies took place, whatever theirpurpose.Architectural and ritual data arecritical when centers lack obviousiconographic and hieroglyphic records.Even when the records are present, theyfocus on kings, not gods. Does this meanthat temples without inscriptions were builtby non-royals, or were they all built by theroyal family and thus did not require kingsto claim the obvious? If all temples weresimilarly built, does this indicate that theyserved multiple functions –for example,seasonal ceremonies, feasts, games, royalrites, and other public events? If templesshow variability, does it indicate that theywere built by different groups (e.g., factions)or that they were built for different gods orfunctions? Do differences only indicatetheir being built at different times in the LateClassic (cf. Jones 1996, 2003)? Thesequestions are critical, especially since mostsecondary centers such as Yalbac lackinscriptions and/or public iconography. Theresults presented, while preliminary, haveexciting implications regarding the role oftemples and their potential to serve as texton Classic Maya society.354
L. LuceroAcknowledgments. I want to thank theInstitute of Archaeology for their continuedsupport, especially Jaime Awe and JohnMorris. I also want to thank the organizersof the conference, especially SherilyneJones. Continued support from RobertVitolo is invaluable, as is that from NewMexico State University and field schoolstudents Sandra Andrade, Joanne Baron,Adam Lujan, Ivy Luchetti, and ChadNorred. None of the fieldwork would havebeen possible without the support andfriendship of field assistants Zedikiah Scott,Cleofo Choc, Jose Ernesto Vasquez, IsabelAscencio (Don Luna), and Henry de Paz.Finally, I want to thank Nadine Gray fortaking time out from her dissertationresearch to conduct the chronologicalassessment of the ceramic assemblages.References CitedAbrams, Elliot M.1998 Sites as Structures: The ConstructionProcess and Maya Architecture. In Functionand Meaning in Classic Maya Architecture,edited by S. D. Houston, pp. 123-140.Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D. C.Chang, K. C.1983 Art, Myth, and Ritual: The Path toPolitical Authority in Ancient China.Harvard University Press, Cambridge.Graebner, Sean M.2002a Monumental Architecture and theAncient Maya: The Royal Acropolis atYalbac, Central Belize. M.A. Thesis. NewMexico State University, Las Cruces.2002b Ancient Maya Royal Courts: Yalbac,Central Belize. In Results of the 2001 Valleyof Peace Archaeology Project: SaturdayCreek and Yalbac, edited by L. J. Lucero,pp. 73-83. Report submitted to theDepartment of Archaeology, Ministry ofTourism and Culture, Belize.Graebner, Sean M., and Lisa J. Lucero2003 Residential Yalbac: Site 94N22N-14. InResults of the 2002 Valley of PeaceArchaeology Project: Yalbac, edited by L. J.Lucero, pp. 18-41. Report submitted to theDepartment of Archaeology, Ministry ofTourism and Culture, Belize.Hassan, Fekri1994 Population Ecology and Civilization inAncient Egypt. In Historical Ecology:Cultural Knowledge and ChangingLandscapes, edited by C. L. Crumley, pp.155-181. School of American ResearchPress, Santa Fe.Hocart, Arthur M.1970 [1936] Kings and Councillors: An Essay inthe Comparative Anatomy of Human Society.Edited by R. Needham. University of ChicagoPress, Chicago.Hooper, John M. D.2004a Energetic Investment in the Acropolisat Yalbac, Belize: A ComparativeApproach. M.A. Thesis. New Mexico StateUniversity, Las Cruces.2004b Yalbac’s Royal Acropolis: Looter’sTrench Operations. In Results of the 2003Valley of Peace Archaeology Project:Yalbac, edited by L. J. Lucero, pp. 13-35.Report submitted to the Institute ofArchaeology, National Institute of Cultureand History, Belize.Jones, Christopher1996 Excavations in the East Plaza of Tikal.Tikal Reports No. 16. University MuseumPublications. University of Pennsylvania,Philadelphia.2003 The Tikal Renaissance and the EastPlaza Ball Court. In Tikal: Dynasties,Foreigners, and Affairs of State, edited by J.A. Sabloff, pp. 207-225. School ofAmerican Research, Santa Fe.Loten, H. Stanley2003 The North Acropolis: Monumentality,Function, and Architectural Development.In Tikal: Dynasties, Foreigners, and Affairsof State, edited by J. A. Sabloff, pp. 227-252. School of American Research, SantaFe.Lucero, Lisa J.2004 Exploring Classic Maya Politics:Yalbac, Central Belize. In Archaeological355
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