The role of warfare in Maya society is much debated, but it seems to have been widespread during the Late Postclassic (A.D. 1250-1519) and Protohistoric (A.D. 1519-1696) periods. This study investigates the manner in which the Maya engaged in warfare during these centuries by reviewing archaeological data on Maya warfare and Spanish accounts of their contacts with the Maya of central Petén, Guatemala. The bow and arrow, which were not used during the Classic period, are "area weapons" that can be used at a distance, and appear to have changed the character and tactics of warfare in the Postclassic period and in Maya defensive interactions with the Spaniards. Eighty small projectile points from the sites of Zacpetén and Ixlú were analyzed. These triangular points, believed to have tipped arrows, were made of chert and obsidian and varied particularly in the placement and number of notches, in the shape of their bases, and in the amount of retouch. Notching and basal variation do not clearly relate to differing ethno-political units in the central Petén Postclassic, to functional areas of the sites, or to ballistic performance. Variations in amount of retouch may indicate that the points were made quickly.

Here we present a bioarchaeological analysis of a Postclassic (ca. A.D. 950-1524) Maya mass grave from the site of Zacpetén in northern Guatemala. Osteological and spatial analyses (including a Ripley's K function) found evidence of cutting, drilling, and grinding of long bones and teeth as well as the intentional removal and manipulation of skeletal elements based on the left or right sides of the body. The remains were enveloped in layers of cut blocks and fist-sized chunks of white limestone and were placed in a depression on the western side of the ceremonial core of the site. The western orientation of the depression was explicitly associated with the underworld in contrast with the temple on the eastern side of the ceremonial core. The grave was the product of exhumation and violation of enemies' bodies, sacrifice, or the burial of war dead (or some combination thereof) and was created when the Kowoj group emerged as a political force in the Petén lakes region. It served to symbolically rupture the past inhabitants' links to the site and to create an enduring symbol of their defeat.

Obsidian is one of the most common materials preserved in the archaeological record of Mesoamerica. Because of this and obsidian's unique chemical properties, it has become one of the most common means by which to explain ancient exchange and production. Northern Belize has largely been absent from discussions of Postclassic Mesoamerican economies. The limited amount of obsidian research that has been done is unable to draw comparisons to the region's primary site during this period, Santa Rita Corozal. This thesis remedies this by exploring the importation, production, and distribution of obsidian at the Postclassic Maya primary center of Santa Rita Corozal, Belize. Through the application of the lithic technology approach and the use of pXRF (portable X-ray fluorescence) spectrometry, it is possible to establish the sources of obsidian being exploited, the stage of reduction of obsidian imports, the major obsidian industry, and obsidian distribution for Santa Rita Corozal's Postclassic Period.