This dissertation provides the first in-depth bioarchaeological analysis of human skeletal remains from the Late Postclassic regional Maya capital of Mayapan, Yucatan, Mexico. This study tests the hypothesis that the bioarchaeological evidence is consistent with Colonial accounts of frequent warfare and social strife at Mayapan. Frequencies of ante-, peri- and postmortem trauma were calculated for element portions, whole bones and individuals. To determine if particular subgroups were targeted, data were collected on age, sex and dental metrics and nonmetrics. Moderate frequencies of healed postcranial fractures were found, with most concentrated in the hands and feet. A high frequency of healed cranial trauma was found, mostly affecting frontal bones of males. Several head wounds appear to bear the imprint of the weapon responsible and thus were likely due to violence. Two cases of perimortem depressed cranial fractures were identified in the alley beside round structure Q-152. Identification of perimortem penetrating injuries of the thorax confirmed several suspected cases of violent death based on anomalous burials, in particular the mass graves associated with structures Q-162 and Q-79. The latter case presents a flint arrowhead embedded in a right scapula. Cut marks and chop marks were found in a number of bones from various parts of the skeleton and mainly represent postmortem manipulation. The mandible is a commonly modified element, which corresponds with Landa's assertion that mandibles were taken from victims of war as trophies. In addition, a calvaria exhibiting numerous cutmarks and two holes with polished edges, one at the apex and one in the base, suggests vertical placement on a pole for display. Overall, the bioarchaeological evidence is consistent with Colonial accounts of frequent warfare and social strife at Mayapan. This study demonstrates the utility of the contextual analysis of human remains, even fragmentary ones, to advancing our knowledge of ancient violence / acase@tulane.edu
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_23666 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Contributors | Serafin, Stanley (Author), Verano, John W (Thesis advisor) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Access requires a license to the Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) database., Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law |
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