In Search of Maya Sea Traders

245 Pages·2004·38.033 MB·English

by  Heather McKillop

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IN
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M YA SEA
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TR DERS
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number eleven:
Texas A&M University Anthropology Series
D. Gentry Steele, Series Editor
Series Advisory Board
William Irons Eric Trinkaus
Conrad Kottak Michael R. Waters
James. F. O’Connell Patty Jo Watson
Harry J. Shafer
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IN
SE RCH
a of
M YA SEA
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TR DERS
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HEATHER McKILLOP
texas a&m university press College Station
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Copyright © 2005 by Heather McKillop
Manufactured in the United States of America
All rights reserved
First edition
The paper used in this book meets the minimum
requirements of the American National Standard for
Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials,
z39.48-1984.
Binding materials have been chosen for durability.
(cid:2)(cid:2)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
McKillop, Heather Irene, 1953–
In search of Maya sea traders / Heather McKillop. — 1st ed.
p. cm. — (Texas A&M University anthropology series ;
no. 11)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
isbn1-58544-389-1 (cloth : alk. paper)—
isbn1-58544-424-3 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Wild Cane Cay Site (Belize) 2. Mayas—Commerce.
3. Mayas—Antiquities. 4. Excavations (Archaeology)—
Belize—Punta Gorda Region. 5. Underwater archae-
ology—Belize—Punta Gorda Region. 6. Coastwise naviga-
tion—Belize—Punta Gorda Region. 7. Punta Gorda Region
(Belize)—Antiquities. I. Title. II. Texas A&M
University anthropology series ; no. 11.
f1435.1.w6m35 2005
972.82(cid:3)401—dc22
2004010258
Unless otherwise indicated, all photographs and
drawings are by the author.
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To Bob, Eleanor, and Gordon
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CONTENTS
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xv
part i. maya sea traders, 1981–1982
1 My First Visit to Wild Cane Cay, 1981 3
2 Fieldwork at Wild Cane Cay 17
3 Trips to Town and Visitors to the Cay 24
4 Household Archaeology 29
5 Obsidian Trade 41
part ii. wild cane cay, 1988–1992
6 Maya Ancestors: Keeping the Dead at Home 53
7 A New Dory 89
8 Underwater Archaeology 94
9 Volunteers 99
part iii. in search of other maya sites
10 In Search of the Coastal Maya 107
11 Returning to Wild Cane Cay in 1992 123
12 Provisions from Punta Gorda 127
13 Submerged Ancient Saltworks 131
14 Sea-Level Rise and Ancient Trade 137
part iv. frenchman’s cay, 1994 and 1997
15 Settlement Patterns 147
16 Target Practice 156
17 Rough Seas, Submerged Sites 161
18 Coral Architecture 171
19 Truce with the Sea 184
Notes 191
References 207
Index 219
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PREFACE
The ancient Maya civilization of Central America has
fascinated and perplexed scholars and the public alike for
generations. The stone temples emerging above the rain-
forest canopy, the rise and collapse of the civilization cen-
turies before the sixteenth-century arrival of Europeans,
and the elaborate hieroglyphs carved on stone monu-
ments add to the appeal of this ancient culture. Less
well known are the ancient Maya farmers who lived in
smaller communities outside the great cities and who
supported the “high culture” by food and labor taxes.
Modern Maya Indians continue a traditional farming way
of life perhaps little changed from ancient times. Few of
them understand their ancient heritage or connection to
archaeological sites that attract Western tourists, scholars,
and students.
The 1839 publication of Incidents of Travel in Central
America by John Lloyd Stephens triggered widespread
interest by the educated public in America and Europe
in the ancient Maya civilization. This interest has re-
mained unabated. National Geographic and Archaeology
magazines, the Discovery and History channels, public
television, and the Internet have enhanced public access
to Maya archaeology. A variety of volunteer organiza-
tions, notably Earthwatch, the Maya Research Program,
and University Research Expedition Projects (UREP),
among others, have engaged the public in fieldwork at
Maya archaeological sites. Public lecture series such as
the Maya weekends at the University of Pennsylvania,
Tulane, and UCLA; the Maya Hieroglyphic Workshop at
the University of Texas; and LSU Maya Archaeology
Night bring Maya archaeologists and the interested pub-
lic together to discuss the ancient Maya civilization.
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