Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut
Preussischer Kulturbesitz


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Terminal Classic and Postclassic in northern Campeche, Mexico: Continuities and Disruptions

Duration1/2012-1/2014 (phase I),
2/2014-2/2016 (phase II),
2/2016-2/2018 (phase III)
CoordinationDr. Iken Paap
Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG (German Research Foundation)

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1. Project Group

Scholars

  • Dr. Iken Paap   

    Field director

  • Roswitha Koenitz M.A.   

    graduate assistant

  • Lola Matina Kaiser M.A.   

    graduate assistant

  • Marieke Joel M.A.   

    graduate assistant

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2. Short description

Point of departure

In Dzehkabtún, a Maya ruin in the north of the Mexican state of Campeche, the Ibero-American Institute has been conducting a multi-year research project since March 2012 on the socio-political context at the transition from the Terminal Classic to the Epiclassic (850 - 1100 AD). At that time part of the center of Dzehkabtún was rebuilt with a new type of constructions. Dr. Iken Paap was leading the project, which is supported by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft - DFG).

Project website

Objectives

The survey and excavation project was examining the causes and consequences of the upheaval at the end of the Classic Period for the residents of the settlement as well as their strategies in overcoming this crisis. Beyond this the transitional zone between the Yucatecan Puuc and Chenes architectural style regions, which is almost unknown in archeology, will be explored. The focal point of interest were the C-shaped or L-shaped structures, which are named after their ground plan and which are considered to be indicators of Epiclassic and Postclassic activities in the Puuc and the neighboring regions.

After the zenith of settlement activity in the Late to Terminal Classic periods (800 - 900 AD) many settlements on the Yucatán Peninsula witnessed the termination of all representative building construction as well as a subsequent conversion of building use, the construction of new building types, and finally the abandonment of most of the settlements. Finds that indicate a drastic upheaval for the elite exist together with clear signs of continuity in parts of the rest of the population, albeit under new socio-cultural and ecological circumstances.

The mapping of the site from 2007 and 2018 comprises most of the densely built up center of Dzehkabtún. Until 2018 a team of students, doctoral candidates and associated Mexican and German scientists continued with the survey. From 2013 to 2018 we excavated part of the Epiclassic and Postclassic buildings in the patio groups in the center of the site.

Expected Results

Till april of 2018 the site has been surveyed and mapped on a surface of 2 km² of the whole expansion of Dzehkabtun that comprises about 4 km². From the excavations in 2013 to 2018 we learned more details about the quality and the duration of the pre- to epiclassic settlement of Dzehkabtun as well as about the regional and supraregional relations of the site. In addition, we advanced in understanding the chronological and spatial relation of the architecture styles of the Chenes and Puuc which are both represented in Dzehkabtun.

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3. Cooperation Partner / Institutions

Institutions

  • Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, México

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4. Products

Lectures

Publications



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