Archaeological research at the Mountain Cow sites: The archaeology of sociocultural diversity, ethnicity and identity formation (Belize)

This dissertation research is based on the excavation of the community of Mountain Cow, an ancient Maya site located in the Chiquibul region (15 kilometers from the huge Maya site of Caracol) of the Maya Mountains, Belize. This thesis is concerned with how the concept of ethnicity is tacitly involved in but formally neglected by Mesoamerican scholars in their characterization of ancient Maya society. Accordingly, the aims of the thesis are: (1) to indicate the manner in which the analysis of ethnicity is used by Maya scholars in the elucidation of social organization; (2) to clarify the concept so that we can display some of its diverse intellectual contents, thus facilitating its theoretical employment and research utility and (3) to suggest concrete ways in which the clarified concept provides new leverage for analysis of the central problems that continue to plague our understanding of the processes of human societal development in the Lowland Maya area.; On a general level it is necessary to focus on how the ancient Maya residents at Mountain Cow sites were integrated in the political and socio-economic organization of ancient Maya society in the Chiquibul area during the Late Pre-Classic and Classic periods (ca.400 B.C. to A.D. 900). Hence, a definitive issue will be how outlying populations identify themselves to central nodes of power. However, as noted above, on a more fundamental level, this research provides a critical test for current models of identity and ethnicity. How do people use symbols to create a cohesive semblance of belonging to a particular group? How best can we articulate ancient Maya sociocultural diversity? This research was conducted in conjunction with the Caracol project directed by Drs. Arlen and Diane Chase of the University of Central Florida. Dr. Richard Leventhal of the University of California at Los Angeles served as the principal advisor.