The Kowoj
Identity, Migration, and Geopolitics in Late Postclassic Peten, Guatemala
Will be published approx. on 15. March 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
448 pages
978-1-60732-136-1 (ISBN)
Description
Neighbors of the better-known Itza in the central Peten lakes region of Guatemala, the Kowoj Maya have been studied for little more than a decade. The Kowoj: Identity, Migration, and Geopolitics in Late Postclassic Peten, Guatemala summarizes the results of recent research into this ethno-political group conducted by Prudence Rice, Don Rice, and their colleagues.Chapters in The Kowoj address the question "Who are the Kowoj?" from varied viewpoints: archaeological, archival, linguistic, ethnographic, and bioarchaeological. Using data drawn primarily from the peninsular site of Zacpeten, the authors illuminate Kowoj history, ritual components of their self-expressed identity, and their archaeological identification. These data support the Kowoj claim of migration from Mayapan in Yucatan, where they were probably affiliated with the Xiw, in opposition to the Itza. These enmities extended into Peten, culminating in civil warfare by the time of final Spanish conquest in 1697.
The first volume to consider Postclassic Peten from broadly integrative anthropological, archaeological, and historical perspectives, The Kowoj is an important addition to the literature on late Maya culture and history in the southern lowlands. It will be of particular interest to archaeologists, historians, ethnohistorians, art historians, and epigraphers.
The first volume to consider Postclassic Peten from broadly integrative anthropological, archaeological, and historical perspectives, The Kowoj is an important addition to the literature on late Maya culture and history in the southern lowlands. It will be of particular interest to archaeologists, historians, ethnohistorians, art historians, and epigraphers.
Reviews / Votes
". . . . Substantially enhances our understanding of Peten, its peoples, and its history. This book should attract a broad readership for its nuanced examination of material reflections of identity in a complex and shifting sociopolitical landscape."- John S. Henderson, American Anthropologist
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Colorado
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
661 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-60732-136-1 (9781607321361)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Prudence M. Rice and Don S. Rice have co-directed research into the Maya occupation of the Peten lakes region of Guatemala for more than thirty-five years. The Kowoj is based on their archaeological and historical investigations, begun in 1994, of the sixteenth- to eighteenth-century political geography of the region. They are co-editors, with Arthur Demarest, of The Terminal Classic in the Maya Lowlands (UPC).
Content
List of Figures, Maps, Tables, and Appendixes ix Preface xv Acknowledgments xvii Part I. Introduction to the Postclassic- and Contact-Period Kowoj-Prudence M. Rice 1 "1.; Introduction to the Kowoj and Their Peten Neighbors - Prudence M. Rice and Don S. Rice 3 Part II. Who Were the Kowoj?-Prudence M. Rice; 17 2.; The Kowoj in Geopolitico-Ritual Perspective- Prudence M. Rice 21 3.; The Kowoj in Ethnohistorical Perspective--Grant D. Jones 55 4.; The Linguistic Context of the Kowoj-Charles Andrew Hofling; 70 Part III. The Archaeology of the Kowoj: Settlement and Architecture at ZacpetOn-Prudence M. Rice; 81 5.; Zacpetin and the Kowoj: Field Methods and Chronologies -Timothy W. Pugh and Prudence M. Rice 85 6.; Defensive Architecture and the Context of Warfare at Zacpet6n- Prudence M. Rice, Don S. Rice, Timothy W. Pugh, and Rdmulo Sanchez Polo 123 7.; Kowoj Ritual Performance and Societal Representations at Zacpet6n- Timothy W. Pugh and Prudence M. Rice 141 8.; Residential and Domestic Contexts at Zacpeten- Timothy W. Pugh; 173 9.; ZacpetCn Group 719, the Last Noble Residence - Timothy W. Pugh, Prudence M. Rice, and Leslie G. Cecil 192 Part IV. The Archaeology of the Kowoj: Pottery and Identity- Prudence M. Rice 217 10.; Technological Styles of Slipped Pottery and Kowoj Identity - Leslie G. Cecil 221 11.; The Iconography and Decorative Programs of Kowoj Pottery - Prudence M. Rice and Leslie G. Cecil 238 12.; Incense Burners and Other Ritual Ceramics- Prudence M. Rice 276 Part V. Additional Perspectives on the Kowoj-Prudence M. Rice; 313 13.; The Symbolism of Zacpeten Altar 1- David Stuart 317 14.; Postclassic Trade: Sources of Obsidian at Zacpet6n-Prudence M. Rice and Leslie G. Cecil 327 15.; The Bioarchaeology of Ritual Violence at Zacpet6n- William N. Duncan 340 16.; The Kowoj and the Lacandon: Migrations and Identities- Timothy W. Pugh 368 Part VI. Conclusions 385 17.; Summary and Concluding Remarks: The Kowoj through a Glass, Darkly-Prudence M. Rice 387;