Maya Development in the Upper Belize River Area

在中美洲荒凉的低地地区， 史前玛雅人进化出一种文明， 引人注目的大规模架构，高度集中的类 分层的社会，并通过良好的整合大面积 发达的贸易机制。 虽然这一现象 吸引了考古学家近世纪的兴趣，他们仍然没有 了解导致出现的过程， 维护这个社会。 阿纳贝尔福特博士为许多 在伯利兹的伯利兹河地区。 基于广泛 调查和分析回收的材料，她有 假设了一种经济专业化模式， 居住在略有不同的环境区的单位， 在略有不同的活动，然后在这些交易 区界限 她认为，这为以下方面提供了基础： 玛雅文明在这一地区的发展。 在国家科学基金会的支持下，福特博士将挖掘出一系列小型的 位于此类区域内的家庭用地。 这会让她 调查数据纳入更广泛和更有意义的背景，并将 提供跨区域比较的基础。 她将主持 大规模的室内暴露， 单位 陶瓷、燧石和黑曜石遗迹将被 收集和分析以解决三个主要问题： 国内经济的特点;工艺的种类和程度 生产和分配;以及地方、区域 区域间的交流。 既然“精英”和“农民” 家庭将被纳入样本，这应该是可能的 来确定这些策略与阶级的关系。 这项研究之所以重要，有几个原因。 虽然 考古学家发掘了许多玛雅遗址， 都在大型的仪式中心 福特博士的项目， 集中注意家庭结构将有助于纠正这一点 形势 该项目包括一名本科生和 将有助于培养一个有前途的年轻人 科学家

In the inhospitable lowland regions of Middle America, prehistoric Mayan peoples evolved a civilization which produced dramatic large scale architecture, a highly centralized class stratified society and which integrated large areas through well developed trade mechanisms. Although this phenomenon has intrigued archaeologists for almost a century, they still do not understand the processes which led to the emergence and maintenance of this society. Dr. Anabel Ford has worked for many years in the Belize River area of Belize. Based on extensive survey and the analysis of recovered materials, she has postulated a model of economic specialization in which household units living in slightly different environmental zones focussed on slightly different activities and then traded across these zones. This, she believes, provides the underlying basis for Mayan development in this area. With NSF support, Dr. Ford will excavate a series of small household sites located in one such zone. This will set her survey data into a broader and more meaningful context and will provide a basis for cross zone comparison. She will conduct large scale horizonal exposures to uncover entire household units. The ceramics, chert and obsidian remains will be collected and analyzed to address three major questions: the character of the domestic economy; the kinds and degree of craft production and distribution; and the influence of local, regional and inter-regional exchange. Since both "elite" and "peasant" households will be included in the sample, it should be possible to determine how such strategies are related to class. This research is important for several reasons. Although archaeologists have excavated many Mayan sites, the primary focus has been on large ceremonial centers. Dr. Ford's project, which concentrates on household structures will help to remedy this situation. The project includes an undergraduate student and will contribute to the development of a promising young scientist.