| Recent studies of ancient Maya royal courts have produced a more complete understanding of elite administrative, residential, and ritual life. It has become clear that royal courts themselves were home to people of varying ranks and statuses who played very different roles within ancient Maya kingdoms. However, our understanding of the lower strata within Maya royal courts is still minimal. By building upon existing research and focusing on the more marginal players in ancient Maya courts, the recent analysis of architectural morphology, artifact assemblage, and spatial location of a small patio group (Group K) at Minanha' has revealed what is believed to be a royal service area, and possibly the storage area and/or residence for the associated attendants. Furthermore, this study has led to the conclusion that, Group K, due primarily to its location adjacent to the royal residence, functioned in the day-to-day maintenance of Minanha''s royal family. This investigation provides an excellent opportunity for understanding the lower strata within ancient Maya royal courts and, by extension, the intricate sociopolitical and socioeconomic organization of ancient Maya society. |
