Unprovenanced Maya Painted Capstones in Campeche (original) (raw)

Calakmul: New Data from an Ancient Maya Capital in Campeche, Mexico

Latin American Antiquity, 1995

In this paper we summarize more than a decade of interdisciplinary work at Calakmul, including (1) the mapping project, which has covered more than 30 km2; (2) the excavation project, which has uncovered major structures and tombs in the center of the city; (3) the epigraphic project, whose goal is to study the hieroglyphic texts and relate them to the archaeological evidence; (4) the analysis of the architecture, ceramics, and chipped stone to define sacred and secular activity areas and chronological stages; and (5) a focus on the ecology, hydrology, and paleoclimatology of Calakmul and its environs with the aim of understanding more fully its periods of development and decline.

Archaeological reconnaissance in southeastern Campeche, Mexico: 2002 field season report

2003

The project represented the fourth season of reconnaissance works in an archaeologically little known region of central Maya Lowlands. Several formerly unknown archaeological sites were surveyed in the southeastern part of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and in the adjacent region to the east, and two large sites reported by Karl Ruppert's expeditions in 1930s were reexamined. The location and basic characteristics of the sites, mainly pertaining to the Classic period, were recorded and some surface pottery was collected. At Altar de los Reyes, a major urban center, two main architectural complexes were mapped and some interesting sculpted monuments were found, including an extraordinary altar with a series of emblem glyphs. Resumen El proyecto representó la cuarta temporada de trabajos de reconocimiento en una región arqueológicamente poco conocida de las tierras bajas mayas centrales. Inspeccionamos varios sitios arqueológicos previamente desconocidos en la parte sureste de la Reserva de la Biósfera de Calakmul y en la región adyacente hacia el este, y reexaminamos dos sitios grandes reportados por las expediciones de Karl Ruppert en la década de 1930. En los sitios, que en su mayoría pertenecen al período Clásico, se documentó la ubicación de los mismos y sus características básicas, y se recolectó la cerámica de superficie. En Altar de los Reyes, un centro urbano importante, realizamos el levantamiento topográfico de dos complejos arquitectónicos principales; asimismo encontramos interesantes monumentos esculpidos, entre ellos un extraordinario altar con una serie de glifos emblema.