Early Classic Period

Early Classic States
States developed in southern and
central lowlands during Early Classic.
Each had definite boundaries and was
governed by centralized hierarchy.
Considerable social stratification with
4 classes and clear distinctions in
artifacts, residences, and burials.
Early Classic Period I
A.D. 250 - 600
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Maya Social Classes
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Maya Elite Class
Elite, ruling class
Full-time craft specialists, merchants,
and administrative specialists
Commoners, largely farmers
Slaves
Elite, ruling class, determined by birth:
Distinction maintained by
endogamy
Power based on economic and
religious actions
Orderly succession of Ahaus was
the key to power.
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Other Classes
Full-time specialists, merchants, and
administrators:
Membership often based on family, but
could also rise to this class from
commoner status, based on ability.
Commoners: farmers and laborers
Slaves: laborers
Maya slaves may have been closer to
indentured servants, in some cases.
Maya States
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Maya States
Classic Period Warfare
Scholars disagree on precise number
of Maya states
One theory: several dozen states
Another: about a dozen large states
with sub-centers.
Regardless of number, important point
is that they competed with each other
for resources and power.
Warfare was not large-scale, scorched
earth, destroy the enemy war, but war
with limited political motives: to
demonstrate dominance over another
ruler.
Primary activity in war: taking
captives for ballgames and sacrifice,
and taking slaves for labor.
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Classic Warfare
Preclassic to Classic Transition
Capture of a ruler was most dramatic result
of warfare.
Consequences of capture and sacrifice of
ruler were variable; sometimes the city
survived in diminished way (e.g. Copan’s
18-Rabbit captured by Quirigua), while at
other times, the city was thrown into chaos
(e.g. Tikal’s Double Bird captured by
Caracol).
During transition period, about A.D. 100 –
A.D. 250, many changes occurred.
3+ color polychrome pottery first appeared.
Lowland states began creating stelae with
inscriptions discussing rulers, events, and
giving dates - - big step.
Large population increase in lowlands area.
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Southern areas in Early Classic
Teotihuacán Influence
Eruption of Ilopango volcano caused
massive disruption and migration of people.
Mass migration to lowlands may have
accelerated cultural development by mixing
of ideas.
Kaminaljuyu was only remaining large
center in southern highlands.
Survived until fall of Teotihuacán during
Late Classic period.
Kaminaljuyu experienced changes in
Early Classic period, especially around
A.D. 200 -400, that suggest increased
influence of central Mexico after the
decline at end of Preclassic.
Talud-tablero style in architecture was
one change that eventually influenced
all Maya architecture.
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Talud-Tablero Architecture
Rise of Tikal
Tikal developed rapidly during the Early
Classic period.
Development began in Late Preclassic, with
shrines and tombs for the elite and first large
temples.
Tikal came to dominate other centers in its
growth – most notably El Mirador, which had
been so strong in the Preclassic.
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Archaeology at Tikal
Modesto Mendez and Ambrosio Tut
reached Tikal in 1848 and began recording
structures.
Others joined in studies through time, but
location very difficult to reach by land.
1951: Guatemalan Air Force built an
airstrip near Tikal, opening up access for
serious work.
1956 - 1970: Tikal Project, source of most
information.
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Tikal Overview
Tikal Temples
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Tikal North Acropolis
North Acropolis
Cross-section
Temple construction began in Late
Preclassic, with temple with large
plaster masks (STR 5D-22).
Ruler’s burials paired with stelae
reciting their actions and dates.
Earliest: Stela 29, A.D. 292, with
Scroll Ahau Jaguar’s burial.
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Stormy Sky’s Tomb
Structure 5D-33 rebuilt and added to several
times.
Stela 31 originally placed near Stormy Sky’s
burial.
Moved up to higher level by Ah Cacau in the Late
Classic period to new home in the 2nd temple,
beneath the grand new temple he was building.
Stela 31 then covered with rubble casing, and
Second temple ritually terminated by smashing
incensarios and burning.
Point was not that Stela 31 be exhibited again,
but that it be remembered as part of his
lineage.
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Wall
paintings
in Stormy
Sky’s
Tomb
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Tikal Stela 31 Translation
Tikal
Stela
31
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Great Plaza Area
Located just south of North Acropolis,
flanked by Temples I and II.
Architecture here from Late Classic
period (A.D. 682 - 734).
Temple II: may have been temple for
wife of Ah Cacau. Follows Tikal’s
Early Classic architecture style: 3
terraces, central stairway, platform and
temple at top.
Tikal
Temple II
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Tikal Temple I (Temple of the Great
Jaguar)
Shrine to Ah Cacau, whose tomb is located
under the temple.
Probably built by his son, Yax Kin.
Departs from earlier architecture in
important ways:
Located outside North Acropolis
9 Stepped terraces, not 3.
Still had effigy of the honored person at
top.
Tikal
Temple I
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Other Tikal Architecture
The long history of Tikal reflected in
other architecture.
Includes temples in different styles,
typical of their periods.
Also includes palaces, ballcourts.
Tikal
Temple I
(view from
North
Acropolis)
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Tikal Ballcourt
Tikal
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Tikal
Central Acropolis
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Tikal
Tikal Jaguar Claw Palace
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Tikal Stela
associated
with Lost
World
Complex
Lost
World
Pyramid
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Tikal Twin Pyramid Group
Tikal
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Tikal’s Dynastic History
Yax Moch Xoc - - founder
Scroll Ahau Jaguar (A.D. 292)
Moon Zero Bird (A.D. 320) (Leyden Plate)
Great Jaguar Paw II (A.D. 376) (conquest of
Uaxactun)
Curl Snout (A.D. 379)
Stormy Sky (A.D. 411) (Stela 31)
Kan Boar (A.D. 475)
(skip some)
Double Bird – 21st ruler, Accession A.D. 537,
Captured by Caracol in A.D. 562
Tikal thrown into chaos for nearly 100 years.
Tikal
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Leyden Plate, Tikal
Tikal’s Influence
As Tikal’s power grew, its neighboring
centers stopped erecting monuments
to their own kings.
Suggests that Tikal may have become
the governing power in the region
during the Early Classic period.
Next: discuss Uaxactun and its war
with Tikal.
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