Paulo Medina | Boston University (original) (raw)
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Conference Presentations by Paulo Medina
In their publication, “Pathways Into Darkness” MacLeod and Puleston (1979) formulated the first m... more In their publication, “Pathways Into Darkness” MacLeod and Puleston (1979) formulated the first model for the cosmological significance of caves. First, they applied the widely accepted model of a three level universe (see Thompson 1970) onto the Popol Vuh. Then they equated their work in Petroglyph Cave directly to Xibalba and the underworld.
In recent years, many of the fundamental premises of the model have come under attack. . Nielsen and Sellner Reunert (2009) have argued that the layer model of the universe was introduced by the Spanish and is not a Pre-Columbian indigenous concept. In addition, advances in cave archaeology by James Brady and others have suggested that caves are far more closely associated with an animate earth rather than with the underworld.
This paper challenges the very concept of caves as “portals.” Instead it argues that the notion of a portal is a Western concept based on the idea that god exists in a different dimension. Thus, the way to connect with the supernatural is though a portal. For the Maya, on the other hand, supernatural figures are much more immediate and real. The cave is the Earth Lord’s stone house. The Maya enter and are in his presence.
Maya warfare studies have been dominated by a perspective which argues that warfare before th... more Maya warfare studies have been dominated by a perspective which argues that warfare before the Late Classic [A.C.E. 600] was largely ritualistic. If true, it would preclude the need for large-scale features that are traditionally interpreted as "defensive." However, evidence from the Maya lowlands points to massive expenditures directed at making site cores defensible. Archaeological fieldwork conducted at El Mirador of an architectural feature called "The Wall" serves as an example of architecture that infers violence, a term used to describe "defensive" features. Built to enhance the natural landscape, "The Wall" is a formal structure measuring 8-10 meters in height and 2,800 meters in length dating to the Late Preclassic [400 B.C.E.-A.C.E. 100].
El Mirador is not the only site with architecture that infers violence as this type of architecture appears at 14 other sites. This suggests that it was a common feature before the Late Classic. Moreover, the archaeological evidence points to the investment of resources and labor for the construction for this type of architecture. This infers elite power and concern over serious conflict and/or violence.
While it has been proposed that the nature of warfare changed during the Late Classic, I suggest that this interpretation is based on an evolutionary model and not the archaeological record. The archaeological record shows use of architecture that infers violence as common features beginning in the Late Preclassic, and continuing well after Spanish Contact.
Genealogical registers from Oaxaca record and justify the political position of elites during the... more Genealogical registers from Oaxaca record and justify the political position of elites during the decline of Monte Alban. Two registers are inscribed with images of an “ancient” couple, a young couple and a “jaws of the sky” motif. The motif has been associated with the sky and ancient bird deity. The scenes are focused on ancestor genealogy and based on the morphology of the motif, I propose the existence of a relationship to a cave/earth maw and I believe that the use of this motif is setting the scene either inside a cave or just outside of it.
Thesis by Paulo Medina
This thesis presents archaeological data collected in 2008, 2010 and 2011 from El Mirador to asse... more This thesis presents archaeological data collected in 2008, 2010 and 2011 from El Mirador to assess Maya warfare during the Late Preclassic (400 B.C. – A.D. 250). One school of thought argues that warfare prior to the Late Classic (A.D. 600) was largely ritualistic. If true, it would preclude the need for large scale defensive features prior to this time. The other school believes warfare played a major role in the rise of complexity as early as the Middle Preclassic (600 B.C.).
I document a feature called, “The Wall” one of the features that enhanced the defensive posture of El Mirador. A survey of the Maya lowlands shows that defensive features were a regular component of Preclassic architecture. No evidence was found to support the claim that Preclassic warfare was ritualistic. Instead, considerable evidence shows that massive expenditures were directed at making site cores defensible. This suggests that warfare was a serious concern during the Preclassic.
Papers by Paulo Medina
In their publication, “Pathways Into Darkness” MacLeod and Puleston (1979) formulated the first m... more In their publication, “Pathways Into Darkness” MacLeod and Puleston (1979) formulated the first model for the cosmological significance of caves. First, they applied the widely accepted model of a three level universe (see Thompson 1970) onto the Popol Vuh. Then they equated their work in Petroglyph Cave directly to Xibalba and the underworld.
In recent years, many of the fundamental premises of the model have come under attack. . Nielsen and Sellner Reunert (2009) have argued that the layer model of the universe was introduced by the Spanish and is not a Pre-Columbian indigenous concept. In addition, advances in cave archaeology by James Brady and others have suggested that caves are far more closely associated with an animate earth rather than with the underworld.
This paper challenges the very concept of caves as “portals.” Instead it argues that the notion of a portal is a Western concept based on the idea that god exists in a different dimension. Thus, the way to connect with the supernatural is though a portal. For the Maya, on the other hand, supernatural figures are much more immediate and real. The cave is the Earth Lord’s stone house. The Maya enter and are in his presence.
Maya warfare studies have been dominated by a perspective which argues that warfare before th... more Maya warfare studies have been dominated by a perspective which argues that warfare before the Late Classic [A.C.E. 600] was largely ritualistic. If true, it would preclude the need for large-scale features that are traditionally interpreted as "defensive." However, evidence from the Maya lowlands points to massive expenditures directed at making site cores defensible. Archaeological fieldwork conducted at El Mirador of an architectural feature called "The Wall" serves as an example of architecture that infers violence, a term used to describe "defensive" features. Built to enhance the natural landscape, "The Wall" is a formal structure measuring 8-10 meters in height and 2,800 meters in length dating to the Late Preclassic [400 B.C.E.-A.C.E. 100].
El Mirador is not the only site with architecture that infers violence as this type of architecture appears at 14 other sites. This suggests that it was a common feature before the Late Classic. Moreover, the archaeological evidence points to the investment of resources and labor for the construction for this type of architecture. This infers elite power and concern over serious conflict and/or violence.
While it has been proposed that the nature of warfare changed during the Late Classic, I suggest that this interpretation is based on an evolutionary model and not the archaeological record. The archaeological record shows use of architecture that infers violence as common features beginning in the Late Preclassic, and continuing well after Spanish Contact.
Genealogical registers from Oaxaca record and justify the political position of elites during the... more Genealogical registers from Oaxaca record and justify the political position of elites during the decline of Monte Alban. Two registers are inscribed with images of an “ancient” couple, a young couple and a “jaws of the sky” motif. The motif has been associated with the sky and ancient bird deity. The scenes are focused on ancestor genealogy and based on the morphology of the motif, I propose the existence of a relationship to a cave/earth maw and I believe that the use of this motif is setting the scene either inside a cave or just outside of it.
This thesis presents archaeological data collected in 2008, 2010 and 2011 from El Mirador to asse... more This thesis presents archaeological data collected in 2008, 2010 and 2011 from El Mirador to assess Maya warfare during the Late Preclassic (400 B.C. – A.D. 250). One school of thought argues that warfare prior to the Late Classic (A.D. 600) was largely ritualistic. If true, it would preclude the need for large scale defensive features prior to this time. The other school believes warfare played a major role in the rise of complexity as early as the Middle Preclassic (600 B.C.).
I document a feature called, “The Wall” one of the features that enhanced the defensive posture of El Mirador. A survey of the Maya lowlands shows that defensive features were a regular component of Preclassic architecture. No evidence was found to support the claim that Preclassic warfare was ritualistic. Instead, considerable evidence shows that massive expenditures were directed at making site cores defensible. This suggests that warfare was a serious concern during the Preclassic.