Archaeology of Mesoamerica · traditions of Mesoamerica, focusing on the unique character of...
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1 Archaeology of Mesoamerica George Washington University Course Anth 3814.10 Spring, 2013 Dr. J. Blomster e-mail: [email protected], phone, ext. 44880 Class Meets: Tues & Thur, 3:45 – 5:00, HAH, Rm. 202 Office Hours: Thursday, 11:00-1:00, HAH Rm. 303 The cultural region referred to as Mesoamerica – encompassing modern day Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador – was the cradle of early and spectacular civilizations in the New World. This course will apply an anthropological perspective to the rich cultural traditions of Mesoamerica, focusing on the unique character of Mesoamerican civilization and its contributions to the world. No prerequisites are required. The structure of the course follows the chronological sequence of Mesoamerican cultures. After examining the peopling of the New World and the initial hunting/gathering lifestyle, the focus is on the development of agriculture, pottery, and the first permanent villages. We will examine the replacement of egalitarian societies by complex chiefdoms, states and even empires. Emphasis will be placed on the development of Mesoamerica’s first civilization – the Olmec – and the features first synthesized by the Olmecs that resonate in subsequent Mesoamerican civilizations. Different approaches to complex society and political organization will be examined by comparing the cities and states of Teotihuacán, Monte Albán, and various Maya polities. After examining the militarism that arose after the demise of these major states, the course will conclude with a brief examination of the final prehispanic empire in Mesoamerica – the Aztec. Learning Outcomes: • to introduce the student to the varied achievements of ancient Mesoamericans; • to place these developments in a larger anthropological perspective, such as interregional interaction and the rise of socio-politically complex societies; • understand the rise and implications of agriculture; • contrast attitudes about warfare, sacrifice and violence; • explore the concept and creation of elites and rulers in Mesoamerica; • study the foundation and nature of urbanism, administrative governments, and organized religion in Mesoamerica; • compare concepts of gender relations; • understand how archaeologists can study such anthropological phenomena; • focus on Mayan calendrical concepts and the “failed” 2012 apocalypse. Grading for the Course: Grades will be calculated based upon the following weighted distribution: Map - 10% Article Cacique – 10% Exam 1 – 20% Museum Report – 10% Exam 2 – 20% Research Paper OR Final Exam– 25% Participation – 5%
Transcript of Archaeology of Mesoamerica · traditions of Mesoamerica, focusing on the unique character of...
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Archaeology of Mesoamerica George Washington University Course Anth 3814.10
Spring, 2013
Dr. J. Blomster e-mail: [email protected], phone, ext. 44880 Class Meets: Tues & Thur, 3:45 – 5:00, HAH, Rm. 202 Office Hours: Thursday, 11:00-1:00, HAH Rm. 303 The cultural region referred to as Mesoamerica – encompassing modern day Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador – was the cradle of early and spectacular civilizations in the New World. This course will apply an anthropological perspective to the rich cultural traditions of Mesoamerica, focusing on the unique character of Mesoamerican civilization and its contributions to the world. No prerequisites are required. The structure of the course follows the chronological sequence of Mesoamerican cultures. After examining the peopling of the New World and the initial hunting/gathering lifestyle, the focus is on the development of agriculture, pottery, and the first permanent villages. We will examine the replacement of egalitarian societies by complex chiefdoms, states and even empires. Emphasis will be placed on the development of Mesoamerica’s first civilization – the Olmec – and the features first synthesized by the Olmecs that resonate in subsequent Mesoamerican civilizations. Different approaches to complex society and political organization will be examined by comparing the cities and states of Teotihuacán, Monte Albán, and various Maya polities. After examining the militarism that arose after the demise of these major states, the course will conclude with a brief examination of the final prehispanic empire in Mesoamerica – the Aztec. Learning Outcomes:
• to introduce the student to the varied achievements of ancient Mesoamericans; • to place these developments in a larger anthropological perspective, such as interregional
interaction and the rise of socio-politically complex societies; • understand the rise and implications of agriculture; • contrast attitudes about warfare, sacrifice and violence; • explore the concept and creation of elites and rulers in Mesoamerica; • study the foundation and nature of urbanism, administrative governments, and organized
religion in Mesoamerica; • compare concepts of gender relations; • understand how archaeologists can study such anthropological phenomena; • focus on Mayan calendrical concepts and the “failed” 2012 apocalypse.
Grading for the Course: Grades will be calculated based upon the following weighted distribution: Map - 10% Article Cacique – 10% Exam 1 – 20% Museum Report – 10% Exam 2 – 20% Research Paper OR Final Exam– 25% Participation – 5%
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The standard University system will be used to assign letter grades as follows: A = 92-100; A- = 90-91; B+ = 88-89; B = 82-87; B- = 80-81; C+ = 78-79; C = 72-77; C- = 70-71; D+ = 68-69; D = 62-67; D- = 60-61; F = 0-59. Textbooks (available at the bookstore): Required: Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs (6th edition), M. Coe and R. Koontz, 2008. The Maya (8th edition), M. Coe, 2011. The Ancient Civilizations of Mesoamerica: A Reader, M. Smith and M. Masson (eds.), 2000. The Order of Days: Unlocking the Secrets of the Ancient Maya, D. Stuart, 2011. Lecture/Discussion Schedule: Note: S&M = Smith and Masson reader; C&K = Coe and Koontz (Mexico); Coe = M. Coe (Maya); S = D. Stuart (Order of Days); ER = articles on Blackboard.
Date Topics, Readings, and Assignments T, 1/15 Introduction to the Class and Defining Mesoamerica: Land and People.
Read: S&M, Introduction; C&K, Chap. 1; Coe, Chap. 1; S, Chap. 2.
Th, 1/17 The Earliest Occupants of Mesoamerica: Beringia, Paleoindian, and Early Archaic. Read: C&K, Chap. 2; Coe, pp. 41-48.
T, 1/22 The Origins of Agriculture and an Agricultural Economy: Tehuacan and Guila Naquitz. Read: C&K, Chap. 3. Discussion: Earliest Ritual Space in Mesoamerica? Read: ER – “The Co-evolution of Ritual and Society: New 14C Dates from Ancient Mexico,” J. Marcus and K. Flannery, 2004. ER – “The Oldest Ritual?” A. Lawler, 2005.
Th, 1/24 Settled Life and Pottery: Early Formative Villages. Read: S&M, Chap.1; C&K, Chap. 4. Discussion: Gender and Social Identity – Figurines. Read: ER - “Figurines and Social Identities in Early Sedentary Societies of Coastal Chiapas, Mexico, 1550-800 b.c.,” R. Lesure, 1997.
T, 1/29 The Emergence of Social Complexity: Soconusco and the Mokaya. Read: Coe, pp. 47-57. Discussion: The Power of Prestige: Public Space and Status. Read: S&M, Chap. 12. Assignment: Maps Due.
Th, 1/31 Mesoamerica’s First Civilization: the Gulf Coast Olmec. Read: C&K, pp. 59-66 Discussion: From Whence Came the Olmecs? Read: ER - “African-Egyptian Presence in Ancient America,” I. Van Sertima, 1976. Discussion: Olmec Energy and Labor at San Lorenzo. Read: ER - “Early Olmec Wetland Mounds: Investing Energy to Produce Energy,” A. Cyphers and J. Zurita-Noguera, 2012.
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T, 2/05 Olmec Social Organization, Politics, and Ritual. Read: C&K, pp. 66-72. Discussion Topic: Olmec Politics. Read: ER - “The Arts of Government in Early Mesoamerica,” J. Clark, 1997.
Th, 2/07 The Olmecs and Their Early Formative Neighbors. Discussion: Sourcing Wars and the Mother of all Problems. Read: ER – “Olmec Pottery Production and Export in Ancient Mexico Determined through Elemental Analysis,” J. Blomster, H. Neff, and M. Glascock, 2005. ER – “Implications of New Petrographic Analysis for the Olmec ‘Mother culture’ Model,” K. Flannery et al., 2005
T, 2/12 The La Venta Olmec and La Venta Horizon Interaction: Chalcatzingo. Read: C&K, pp. 72-91. Discussion: Studying Interaction and Its Impact on Social Complexity. Read: ER – “Acquisitional Polities,” M. Helms, 1993.
Th, 2/14 Emergence of the State: Monte Albán and the Valley of Oaxaca. Read: C&K, pp. 91-100. Discussion: The Founding and Politics of Monte Albán. Read: ER - “The Origins of Monte Albán,” R. Blanton, 1976. ER - “The Founding of Monte Albán: Sacred Propositions and Social Practices,” A. Joyce, 2000.
T, 2/19 Expansion of the Monte Albán State and Classic Centers in the Mixteca Alta: Writing, State Architecture, and Politics. Read: C&K, pp. 125-131. Discussion: How Can Archaeologists Study Ancient Zapotec Religion? Read: S&M, Chap.19.
Th, 2/21 EXAM 1!
T, 2/26 Urbanism in Central Mexico: Teotihuacan. Read: C&K, pp. 101-122. Discussion: Apartment Life and Economics at Teotihuacan Read: S&M, Chap. 4.
Th, 2/28 Expansion and Interregional Interaction of the Teotihuacan State. Reciprocal Relationships: The Ball Game at El Tajín and Beyond. Read: S&M, Chap. 15; C&K, pp. 122-125. Discussion: Teotihuacan: An Expansionistic Economic Empire? Read: S&M, Chap. 8.
T, 3/05 Origin and Precursors to Maya Civilization: Izapa, the Calendar/Long Count, and Creation of the Maya Universe. Read: Coe, Chap. 3; S, Chaps. 5 & 6. Discussion: How did the Maya think about time? Read: S, Chap. 4.
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Th, 3/07 Maya Cosmology and Religion. Film: The Popol Vuh. Read: Coe, pp. 219-237; S, Chap. 3. Assignment: Museum Report Due!
3/12-3/14
Spring Recess
T, 3/19 The Emergence of Kings: the Late Formative to Early Classic Maya. Read: Coe, Chap. 4, S&M, Chap. 23. Discussion: The Concept of Kingship among the Late Formative Maya. Read: S&M, Chap. 20.
Th, 3/21 Maya Quotidian Life: Cerén and the Calakmul murals. Read: Coe, Chap. 8, p. 132; S, Chap. 7. Discussion: How were Maya Societies Organized? Read: ER – “Rethinking Ancient Maya Social Organization: Replacing ‘Lineage’ with ‘House’,” S. Gillespie, 2000. Discussion: Understanding Maya Deep Time. Read: S, Chap. 8.
T, 3/26 Maya Politics and Superpowers: Tikal and its Rivals. Read: Coe, Chap. 5. Discussion: Class and Hierarchy Among the Maya. Read: S&M, Chap. 2. Assignment: Paper Topics Due!!
Th, 3/28 Sacred Cities and Divine Kings: Palenque and Copán. Read: S, Chap. 9 Discussion: Maya Queens? Classic Gender Narratives. Read: ER – “Women-Men (and Men-Women): Classic Maya Rulers and the Third Gender,” M. Looper, 2002.
T, 4/02 Principles of Maya Writing. Guest Lecturer – Stephanie Strauss. Read: Coe, pp. 237-249; S&M, Chap. 13.
Th, 4/04 EXAM 2!
T, 4/09 The Changing Politics of the Late and Terminal Classic: Bonampak, the Puuc Florescence, and Collapse. Read: Coe, Chap. 6. Discussion: Maya Political Organization: Galactic Polities? Read: S&M, Chap. 14.
Th, 4/11 Migration, Socio-cultural Transformation, Reconstitution and Conflict: the Epiclassic – Xochicalco and Cacaxtla. Read: C&K, Chap. 7. Discussion: Militarism at Xochicalco. Read: S&M, Chap. 16.
T, 4/16 Militarism and the Toltecs: Tula and Chichén Itzá. Read: C&K, Chap. 8; Coe, Chap. 7. Discussion: What’s the deal with the 2012-hype? Read: S, Chap. 10.
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Th, 4/18 Alliances and City States in Southern Mexico: the Postclassic Mixtecs. Read: C&K, Chap. 9; S&M, Chap. 17. Discussion: Gender Roles in Postclassic Oaxaca. Read: ER - “Engendering Tomb 7 at Monte Albán: Respinning an Old Yarn” (with CA comment), S. McCafferty and G. McCafferty, 1994.
T, 4/23 Aztec Society and the Capital of Tenochtitlán: Propaganda, Politics and The Triple Alliance. Read: C&K, Chap. 10; S&M, Chap. 9. Discussion: Resistance and Gender among the Aztecs. Read: S&M, Chap. 22.
Th, 4/25 Blood and Flowers: The Aztecs in 1519. The Spanish Conquest and the Legacy of Mesoamerica. Read: Coe, Chap. 10; S, Chap. 1.
???? Final Exam (as scheduled by the University) OR Research Papers due by 4:30 at
2110 G St.
