Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant: Building on the Past: The Emergence of Maya Elites and Monumental Architecture at Anonal, Peten, Guatemala

在稻田武博士的监督下，杰西卡·芒森将指导位于危地马拉佩泰恩省阿纳诺尔古玛雅遗址的考古发掘工作。这项研究考察了从中世纪前经典时期(约公元前900年-公元900年)到古典时期末期(约公元前900年-公元900年)，纪念性建筑如何在阿纳尔调解政治权威的出现和谈判。阿诺尔的考古发掘将调查这一遗址的建筑史，以了解玛雅精英在这个社区中新出现的角色和纪念活动。玛雅寺庙，如阿纳纳尔的寺庙建筑群，通常代表着多个建筑片段的结果，并融入了可以追溯到更早的时代的建筑元素。如此悠久的建设历史暗示着它与一段已知的过去有某种联系。阿诺尔神庙建筑的长期使用和翻新为研究玛雅社会纪念性建筑的起源以及从前古典时期开始的政治组织的相关变化提供了一个极好的背景。通过密集的挖掘，这项研究将记录详细的建筑史，并分析阿诺尔寺庙建筑群的使用、重建和废弃模式。挖掘将集中在纪念性建筑上，以检查与这些建筑相关的持续时间、强度和建造方法。来自密集地层挖掘的微形态和放射性碳数据将对了解建筑频率、不同建筑材料和技术的使用以及这些建筑事件的时间顺序做出独特贡献。建筑环境反映了特定的社会组织形式，并通过为使用环境的人提供一种地方感来积极塑造人们对周围环境的感知。这些社会面貌的变化伴随着社会记忆的创造和转变，也标志着社会和政治秩序的变化。对纪念性建筑文化建设的考古研究表明，这些建筑调解了古代玛雅社会政治权力和纪念活动的组织和谈判。精英领导人的合法化战略经常援引过去作为建立祖先联系和维护政治权威的手段。通过考察阿诺尔寺庙建筑群的建造历史和使用情况，这项研究将有助于理解玛雅纪念碑建筑的起源和相关政治组织的变化。这一研究项目还对保护濒危遗址和遗产教育方面的文化遗产产生了直接影响。阿纳诺尔寺庙建筑群的挖掘将促进后代对受到威胁的建筑的稳定和保护。该项目还将与危地马拉考古学学生和参与可持续文化旅游项目的当地Qeqchi玛雅社区建立合作伙伴关系。学生将接受考古实地方法培训，并参与实验室分析。当地的Qeqchi玛雅人也将参加挖掘计划，了解他们的文化景观。这些知识将促进对土著社区指导的考古资源的管理。

Under the supervision of Dr. Takeshi Inomata, Jessica Munson will direct archaeological excavations at the ancient Maya site of Anonal located in the Department of Petén, Guatemala. This research examines the ways in which monumental buildings mediated the emergence and negotiation of political authority at Anonal from the Middle Preclassic through the end of the Classic period (ca. 900 B.C. - A.D. 900). Archaeological excavations at Anonal will investigate the architectural history of this site to understand the emerging role of Maya elites and commemoration practices within this community. Maya temples, such as the temple complex at Anonal, commonly represent the result of multiple construction episodes and incorporate architectural elements that date back to much earlier times. Such long construction histories imply some connection with a known past. Long-term use and renovation of Anonal's temple building provides an excellent context to examine the origins of monumental construction in Maya society, as well as related changes in political organization beginning in the Preclassic period. Through intensive excavation this research will document detailed architectural histories, and analyze patterns of use, reconstruction, and abandonment at Anonal's temple complex. Excavations will focus on monumental buildings in order to examine the duration, intensity, and methods of construction associated with these structures over long periods of time. Micromorphological and radiocarbon data from intensive stratigraphic excavations will make unique contributions towards understanding the frequency of construction, the use of different construction materials and techniques, as well as the chronological sequence of these building episodes. Built environments reflect particular forms of social organization and actively shape people's perception of their surroundings by contributing a sense of place to the people that use them. Alterations to these social landscapes concomitantly affect the creation and transformation of social memories, as well as signify changes in social and political order. Archaeological research on the cultural construction of monumental architecture suggests that these buildings mediated the organization and negotiation of political power and commemoration in ancient Maya society. Legitimization strategies by elite leaders often invoke the past as a means to establish ancestral connections and assert political authority. By examining the construction history and use of Anonal's temple complex, this research will contribute understanding to the origins of Maya monumental architecture and associated changes in political organization. This research project also has immediate impacts for cultural patrimony regarding the conservation of endangered sites and heritage education. Excavation of Anonal's temple complex will promote stabilization and conservation of threatened structures for future generations. This project will also establish collaborative partnerships with Guatemalan archaeology students and local Qeqchi Maya communities engaged in sustainable cultural tourism projects. Students will be trained in archaeological field methods and participate in laboratory analyses. Local Qeqchi Maya people will also participate in the excavation program and learn about their cultural landscape. This knowledge will promote stewardship of archaeological resources directed by indigenous communities.