Kingship in the Late Kingship in the Late Preclassic (c. B.C.) Maya Preclassic (c. B.C.) Maya

Lowlands: The Lowlands: The Instruments and Places of Instruments and Places of

Ritual PowerRitual PowerBy Linda Schele & David FreidelBy Linda Schele & David Freidel

We know for sure the Classic We know for sure the Classic Maya practiced the institution Maya practiced the institution of ahaw, kingship or “KING”. of ahaw, kingship or “KING”. Characteristics, regarded as:Characteristics, regarded as:

1) Divine supernatural1) Divine supernatural2) Equal w/ ancestor, dec & liv2) Equal w/ ancestor, dec & liv3) Center of ritual practice3) Center of ritual practice4) Common theology4) Common theology

DERIVED FROM EVID.DERIVED FROM EVID.

Freidel and Schele propose that the institution of King originated in Freidel and Schele propose that the institution of King originated in the fist century B.C. (the Late Preclassic).the fist century B.C. (the Late Preclassic). Invented to accommodate Invented to accommodate

the ethos of egalitarianism and the condition of flourishing elitism the ethos of egalitarianism and the condition of flourishing elitism brought on by advances in trade a social relations. brought on by advances in trade a social relations. Contrary to the Contrary to the

belief that kingship originated in the Early Classic. By this time, the belief that kingship originated in the Early Classic. By this time, the institution was fully functioning, accordingly.institution was fully functioning, accordingly.

King Pacal’s Sarcophagus Lid - Palenque, Classic PeriodKing Pacal’s Sarcophagus Lid - Palenque, Classic Period

Supernatural Forces…Supernatural Forces…

KingKing Objects propelling status…Objects propelling status…

Evidence for the institution of kingship…Late PreclassicEvidence for the institution of kingship…Late Preclassic

Supernatural Forces…Supernatural Forces…Jester helmetJester helmet

KingKing

E. Flares; objectsE. Flares; objectsthat propel status…that propel status…

Lower west panel on Structure 5C-2Lower west panel on Structure 5C-2ndnd - Cerros - Cerros

Jester God Glyph, 3 strandJester God Glyph, 3 strand

Pendants,Pendants,Prophecy stones?Prophecy stones?

Dumbarton Oaks Dumbarton Oaks PectoralPectoral

•Dates to Late PreclassicDates to Late Preclassic

•3 Strand Jester God, is 3 Strand Jester God, is worn or held, seen heavily worn or held, seen heavily in the classic period.in the classic period.

Tikal BurialsTikal Burials

•3 Strand Jester pendants 3 Strand Jester pendants found in burials, also date found in burials, also date to Late Preclassic.to Late Preclassic.

Cache at CerrosCache at Cerros

•Green stone pendants, Green stone pendants, pierced for suspension. pierced for suspension. Also with Jester strands.Also with Jester strands.

PROCEED TO EVID.PROCEED TO EVID.

Dumbarton Oaks PectoralDumbarton Oaks Pectoral

Evidence for the institution of kingship…Late PreclassicEvidence for the institution of kingship…Late Preclassic

Evidence for the institution of Kingship…Evidence for the institution of Kingship…

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11 22 33 Cache at Cerros (Structure 6B)Cache at Cerros (Structure 6B)

•Green stone pendants, pierced for suspension. Green stone pendants, pierced for suspension. Also with Jester strands.Also with Jester strands.

•Pendants could have been sewn on or Pendants could have been sewn on or suspended from bands. In arrangement as seen suspended from bands. In arrangement as seen on the Dumbarton Oaks Pectoral.on the Dumbarton Oaks Pectoral.

Additional EvidenceAdditional Evidence

•Found in a quadripartition “four directions”. Found in a quadripartition “four directions”. Supported by sites in Supported by sites in Rio AzulRio Azul, , Pomona Flare Pomona Flare in Belizein Belize, and , and Peddler godsPeddler gods of the Classic. of the Classic.

•Schele concluded the pendants, were part of a Schele concluded the pendants, were part of a royal crown.royal crown.

PROCEED TO STONES OF PROPHECY…PROCEED TO STONES OF PROPHECY…

PiercedPierced

Evidence for the institution of Kingship…Evidence for the institution of Kingship…

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11 22 33 The Stones of Prophecy…The Stones of Prophecy…

““The following day The following day physicians and sorcerersphysicians and sorcerers assembled in their house… They opened the assembled in their house… They opened the bundles of their medicine, in which they kept bundles of their medicine, in which they kept little trifles, little idols of their gods. Of the little trifles, little idols of their gods. Of the

kind kind which they used for casting lotswhich they used for casting lots”.”.

Evidence now seen in the ethnographic recordEvidence now seen in the ethnographic record

Given the scenario, Schele states the royal Given the scenario, Schele states the royal pendants found in the Late Preclassic could be pendants found in the Late Preclassic could be

so called stones of prophecy. Which would so called stones of prophecy. Which would mean kings had extended shamanist powers.mean kings had extended shamanist powers.

FINAL CONCLUSIONFINAL CONCLUSION

Successful king institutions built ritual & Successful king institutions built ritual & theoretical practices that made king theoretical practices that made king

supernatural & divine. Sadly concludes by supernatural & divine. Sadly concludes by applauding her methods and not the material.applauding her methods and not the material.

PiercedPierced

Strengths WeaknessStrengths Weakness

1.1. Data was relevant, Data was relevant, consistent and consistent and abundant. Rich all abundant. Rich all around…around…

2.2. Method was well Method was well implored “Text implored “Text Analysis”. Looks for Analysis”. Looks for patterns in text and patterns in text and symbols…symbols…

3.3. Good job of tackling Good job of tackling a dark issue in Maya a dark issue in Maya studies, as far as the studies, as far as the Late Preclassic is Late Preclassic is concerned. A vital concerned. A vital contribution to Maya contribution to Maya studies…studies…

1.1. With all the data With all the data examined, maybe the examined, maybe the study could have study could have encompassed other encompassed other Maya regions. Maya regions.

2.2. Conclusion was a bit Conclusion was a bit pre-mature, not that it pre-mature, not that it mattered…mattered…