Article Abstract:
Maya studies since the 1960s have focused on settlement patterns and community organization of this ancient civilization. The Tikal and Sayil archaeological projects were undertaken to explore certain anomalies in the hypothesis related to urban development in the Maya lowlands. Archaeological evidence indicates the existence of numerous city states with dispersed populations, having limited political and demographic reach. The notable features were the decentralized political and economic structure and the religious autonomy.
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Article Abstract:
Guatemala's topography is full of contrasts, which are apparent in its western highlands, exhibiting the deep valleys, and lush vegetation typical of volcanic mountain ranges while eastern Guatemala contains deserts with dusty towns. A research conducted in the Western Maya highlands suggests social processes, ethnogenesis, the ups and downs of society, the perception of people about themselves and others have roots deep in the past.
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Article Abstract:
The University of Pennsylvania Museum's excavations at Tikal recovered thousands of unworked marine shells, shell artifacts, and pieces of production waste. The discovery of these shells enables the researchers to examine the social framework of the civilization in Tikal. The chronology of Tikal places its initial permanent settlement during the Middle Preclassic Period, around 800 B.C.
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