The Archaeology of Political Structure: Settlement Analysis in a Classic Maya Polity

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title The Archaeology of Political Structure: Settlement Analysis in a Classic Maya Polity
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Olivier de Montmollin
SeriesNew Studies in Archaeology
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:308
Dimensions(mm): Height 247,Width 189
Category/GenreArchaeology by period and region
ISBN/Barcode 9780521548021
ClassificationsDewey:972.6017
Audience
Professional & Vocational
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Illustrations Worked examples or Exercises

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 22 January 2004
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

This innovative analysis of archaeological settlement patterns as a guide to ancient political structure focuses on the Maya of Southeastern Mexico. Working principally with data from the Classic Period in the Rosario Valley, Dr de Montmollin relates problem orientation and theory to themes with wide currency in political anthropolgy. For archaeologists interested in complex societies, the handling of the settlement evidence and the close attention paid to bridging arguments provide valuable guidance on analysing a multiscale settlement record when reconstructing political structure. For Mayanists, the characterization of settlement and political structure is unprecedented in its rigour and scope. The Archaeology of Political Structure thus blends the particular fascination of Maya archaeology with developments of more general interest in anthropological archaeology to make a substantial contribution to the practice and theory of settlement studies within complex societies.

Reviews

..".a significant contribution to the field of political archaeology." Latin American Research Review