Brings together for the first time a broad spectrum of bioarchaeologists and reveals remarkable data on Maya genetic relationship, demographic, and diseases
New techniques in osteology have yielded findings on Maya diet and health that challenge the ecological model of collapse. This benchmark collection of essays defined the state of Mayan skeletal studies. Its coverage spans the formative through colonial periods, with a geographic focus on the Maya lowlands of northern Guatemala, Belize, and western Honduras. Bringing together for the first time a broad spectrum of bioarchaeologists and revealing remarkable data on Maya genetic relationship, demographic, and diseases, the collection covers divers topics such as osteological, dental, bone chemistry, and DNA analyses. The diet and health status of Maya populations is a major theme, especially in relation to social status, gender, and the historical problem of the "collapse."
ContributorsPrefacePreface to the New EditionIntroductionStudying Maya BurialsWebsterDavidOsteological StudiesSouthern Lowland Maya Archaeology and Human Skeletal Remains: Interpretations from Caracol (Belize), Santa Rita Corozal (Belize), and Tayasal (Guatemala)ChaseDiane Z.The Preclassic Skeletons from CuelloSaulJulie MatherSaulFrank P.Height among Prehispanic Maya of the Yucatán Peninsula: A ReconsiderationMárquezLourdesÁngelAndrés delA Maya Skull Pit from the Terminal Classic Period, Colha, BelizeMasseyVirginia K.SteeleD. GentryArchaeology and Osteology of the Tipu SiteCohenMark N.O'ConnorKathleenDanforthMarie ElaineJacobiKeith P.ArmstrongCarlDental StudiesLate Postclassic Tooth Filing at Chau Hiix and Tipu, BelizeHavillLorena M.WarrenDiane M.JacobiKeith P.GettelmanKaren D.CookDella CollinsPyburnK. AnneCultural Odontology: Dental Alterations from Petén, GuatemalaOlivaresNora M. LópezIndividual Frailty, Children of Privilege, and Stress in Late Classic CopánStoreyRebeccaLate Classic Maya Health Patterns: Evidence from Enamel MicrodefectsDanforthMarie ElaineDental Genetic Structuring of a Colonial Maya Cemetery, Tipu, BelizeJacobiKeith P.Stable Isotope and DNA StudiesCommoner Diet at Copán: Insights from Stable Isotopes and Porotic HyperostosisWhittingtonStephen L.ReedDavid M.Ancient Diet at Lamanai and Pacbitun: Implications for the Ecological Model of CollapseWhiteChristine D.Ecology or Society? Paleodiet and the Collapse of the Pasión Maya LowlandsWrightLori E.Regional Diversity in Classic Maya DietsGerryJohn P.KruegerHarold W.Ancient and Contemporary Mitochondrial DNA Variation in the MayaMerriwetherD. AndrewReedDavid M.FerrellRobert E.ConclusionStudying Maya BioarchaeologyBuikstraJane E.Appendix. An Indexed Bibliography of Prehistoric and Early Historic Maya Human Osteology: 1839–1994DanforthMarie ElaineWhittingtonStephen L.JacobiKeith P.References CitedIndex
Stephen L. Whittington is Director of the Museum of Anthropology at Wake Forest University.
David M. Reed is a research scientist at the University of Michigan.
“The breadth and scope of this book demonstrate the vital role that biological data gleaned from skeletal remains play in reconstructing and interpreting the history of the human condition.” —American Scientist
"Groundbreaking." —Journal of Archaeological Research
