Over the past 200 years the archaeology of the Olmec region in Veracruz, Mexico developed and many ideas and theories came to life. This thesis focuses on the academic development of theory...Show moreOver the past 200 years the archaeology of the Olmec region in Veracruz, Mexico developed and many ideas and theories came to life. This thesis focuses on the academic development of theory concerning the Olmec colossal heads. To determine the line of thought of the various researchers in the area we can learn many things about the constitution of our own ideas. The development of Mesoamerican archaeology seems to have had a large influence on this matter. At first, under the influence of culture-history, scholars focussed their research mainly on specific objects and individual sites. When the Olmec civilization was discovered many refused to believe such a high developed society could predate the Maya’s, until eventually the antiquity of the Olmec culture was proved by radiocarbon dating. After 1960 Mesoamerican archaeology changed due to the emergence of processualism. More interest arose around processes of social activity and change and archaeologists started to conduct surveys on the Olmec frontier. A new generation of scholars believed that the Olmec society developed beside many other societies as a sister culture, sharing a mutual ideological system. Many of the researchers who had fought for the antiquity of the Olmec however did not agree with the new perspectives and still saw the Olmec as the mother culture to all Mesoamerican civilizations. Connected with this new debate was the problem of the social organization of the Olmec. These debates had a visible influence on the different theories about the construction of the Olmec heads. Both parties interpreted the stone heads in a way it would fit in their ideas about the Olmec culture. Now most scholars agree that the colossal heads represent leaders, although the reason for their manufacture still differs. A new interpretation on the matter has been presented in this paper. In the Moche culture of the Andes leaders used corporate art to legitimize their power. In the Olmec society leaders might also have used art, such as the colossal heads, as a way to prove their divine right to rule. This would explain the prominent ideology that is present in Mesoamerica.Show less
This thesis examines the change of theory on the Danzantes through a historical approach. By giving an overview of change in the theory of the Danzantes, it is possible to determine which factors...Show moreThis thesis examines the change of theory on the Danzantes through a historical approach. By giving an overview of change in the theory of the Danzantes, it is possible to determine which factors influenced the researchers while proposing their theory on these late formative stone sculptures. Considering the influences on the theories of the Danzantes, we come closer to an objective view on the Danzantes. First, to understand the influence of the theories on the formation of the Monte Albán state on the interpretation of the Danzantes, an overview of different perspectives on the development of the site is provided. This is followed by an introduction to the Danzantes, where the different characteristics are discussed. Finally the debate on the interpretation of the Danzantes is discussed and linked to the theories of the rise of Monte Albán. This research proves that the different theories of Monte Albán over the course of time have influenced the way researchers perceive the Danzantes. This study has made it possible to determine different schools the debate on the Danzantes as well. Apart from this, some important observations made on research to the Danzantes and the Valley of Oaxaca in total are pointed out.Show less
For a long time we know that the Maya in the Classic Period (300-1000 AD) lived in autonomous settlements but with the same ceremonial, political and economical characteristics. However, when we...Show moreFor a long time we know that the Maya in the Classic Period (300-1000 AD) lived in autonomous settlements but with the same ceremonial, political and economical characteristics. However, when we look at the road system some settlements are connected by, we cannot exclude that there has been collaboration to build thes networks. Local rulers must have worked together with other local rulers to realize these connections. Settlements needed each other because two locations were connected together, two settlements lying in the same area but being politically different. Furthermore, some kind of supervision must have been present to realize and organize such a great project. Anyway, to realize the building of a long causeways, a lot of specialists were needed. Therefore, sometimes specialists must have been brought in from other settlements.Show less
De Maïsgod is een belangrijke god voor de Maya. Door de tijd heen zijn er afbeeldingen van deze god te vinden in de gehele Maya regio. De veelheid aan afbeeldingen van de Maïsgod toont een grote...Show moreDe Maïsgod is een belangrijke god voor de Maya. Door de tijd heen zijn er afbeeldingen van deze god te vinden in de gehele Maya regio. De veelheid aan afbeeldingen van de Maïsgod toont een grote variatie in de manier waarop de god is afgebeeld. Dit werpt de vraag op waarom de Maïsgod op zoveel verschillende manieren wordt afgebeeld. Deze scriptie heeft dan ook het doel een antwoord op de volgende vraag te geven: Wat betekenen de gelijkenissen en verschillen in de afbeeldingen van de Maya Maïsgod in de Dresden Codex? Beginnend met een beschrijving van de Dresden Codex en de Maïsgod in al zijn facetten zal deze scriptie een vergelijking maken tussen zes geselecteerde verschillende afbeeldingen uit de Dresden Codex, om een antwoord te geven op de geformuleerde vraag.Show less
