Following the discovery of the similarities between the Mesoamerican sites of Tula, Hidalgo and Chichén Itzá, Yucatan, in the late 1800’s, their connection has been the subject of extensive...Show moreFollowing the discovery of the similarities between the Mesoamerican sites of Tula, Hidalgo and Chichén Itzá, Yucatan, in the late 1800’s, their connection has been the subject of extensive academic debate. Recently, the Epiclassic centre of Tula Chico, the smaller plaza north of Tula Grande, has started to play a role in this discussion, most notably through the comparison of the sculpted reliefs recovered from the largely unexcavated structures. A lack of systematic description and interpretation of these elements, however, has resulted in the eye of the beholder problem. This research attempts to resolve this issue through the development of a clearly defined methodology based on earlier proposed models, adapted to fit a Mesoamerican narrative. After a brief overview of both sites and the proposed theories on their connection since the 1800’s, the proposed methodology was tested. Following Erwin Panofsky’s approach, while supplementing the required historical context with Lindsay Jones’ ritual architectural priorities, the methodology relies on the context where the sculpted relief was found, its iconographic description, and iconological interpretation. In testing, comparable images from Tula Chico and Chichén Itzá were meticulously evaluated to identify their function and meaning, after which comparison between them was possible. From this analysis, the possibility of contact between Tula Chico and Chichén Itzá can be suggested. The sites share sculptural elements with similar function that do not appear in Tula Grande. Additionally, the possibility of a warrior cult at Tula chico has become evident, mainly through the depiction of jaguars and eagles in its monumental architecture. More extensive research of Tula Chico’s structures is required to strengthen this interpretation, however. It is concluded that the proposed methodology is successful in its application to Mesoamerican contexts, and is capable of producing meaningful comparisons between sites that could benefit archaeological research going forward.Show less
A thesis which contributes a new perspective to the ongoing discussion on the human contacts made between North and Meso-America before Columbus. This is done specifically by looking at maize as an...Show moreA thesis which contributes a new perspective to the ongoing discussion on the human contacts made between North and Meso-America before Columbus. This is done specifically by looking at maize as an exotic good used for ritual and as a medium for narrative. It highlights the religious aspects of exchange and the travel of ideas and narratives with material in a time before writing was widespread. Because of the latter fact, the research is done through a multi-disciplinary approach, utilizing botany, archaeology and ethnology.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
Despite the fact that the PostClassic Mesoamerican codices display a striking amount of similarity, academic studies of the discipline typically separate the Central Mexican and Mixtec manuscripts...Show moreDespite the fact that the PostClassic Mesoamerican codices display a striking amount of similarity, academic studies of the discipline typically separate the Central Mexican and Mixtec manuscripts from those of the Maya, with the Maya receiving an epigraphic approach and the Mexican and Mixtec receiving an art historical approach. Many of these studies implicitly privilege phonetic writing systems, taking an evolutionary view of writing which devalues the pictographic. This privileging of the phonetic speaks to the more extensive devaluation of indigenous beliefs and practices on a wider scale. This thesis seeks to bridge the gap between the art historical and epigraphic by understanding the codices as products of the communities in which they were created, and thus fulfilling culturally-specific needs. Ritualized Discourse in the Mesoamerican Codices: An Inquiry into Epigraphic Practice accomplishes this through two case studies, one of which is based on the representation of the same subject matter, bloodletting, and one of which is based on the representation of the same linguistic practice, difrasismo. The results of the analysis indicate that while on a visual level the codices appear very different, on a phonological level there are many similarities in how they represent linguistic and phonetic elements. The Central Mexican and Maya codices in particular display a high degree of overlap, speaking to their shared scribal traditions. Approaching the codices as inventions designed to fulfill a purpose, interpretations of iconographic and phonetic elements are reached which speak to a pan-Mesoamerican experience of writing and highlight the benefits of alternative traditions of knowledge.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
Olmec feline imagery has been a subject of interest among scholars for many years. Several sites in the Gulf Coast area and Guerrero contain examples of these well-debated images, as well as the...Show moreOlmec feline imagery has been a subject of interest among scholars for many years. Several sites in the Gulf Coast area and Guerrero contain examples of these well-debated images, as well as the Formative Olmec site of Chalcatzingo, where a number of reliefs and monuments show the depiction of composite feline animals with clear avian characteristics. This research aims to investigate how these images are related to the worldview of the inhabitants of the site by comparison with similar material from the Olmec area. Herewith the concepts of ‘nahualism’ and ‘corporate art’ will be applied to the interpretation of the carvings and their significance to the society. The first concept refers to the ability to transform oneself into an animal alter ego, while the latter term indicates the use of architecture and monuments to ascertain a strong political power within a given community. Building on research previously conducted by Mesoamerican scholars, individual fieldwork at the site of Chalcatzingo, and a final iconographical analysis, the conclusions of this research have shed light on the social organization, exchange, and belief system of the Olmec region. As opposed to the mother-culture theory, it has become evident that the Olmec societies were part of a large network of interactions, where a dominant ideology was spread over an area extending from Guerrero, Mexico to as far as Honduras. The Olmec style art that is present in these settlements strongly reflects the worldview of the people, where the leader is regarded as being of divine descent, as is shown by his ability to transform into a nahual. With the capacity to communicate with the spirit world the Olmec ruler was placed in the absolute centre of the universe. These aspects are also visualized within the feline carvings of Chalcatzingo, which depict several generations of leaders in their nahualistic transformations. In most occasions these feline rulers are seated upon human individuals to indicate their power and dominance to the society, while the iconographical elements of the carvings clearly show the symbolic relation to the celestial realm. The latter aspect is also visible in other reliefs at the site, representing the important task of the leader to ask the spirits for fertile rains that would allow crops to grow in the relatively dry area of the settlement. Herewith the concept of ‘corporate art’ becomes clear, where the leader’s status was reflected and reinforced with the use of the present artworks. In the site of Chalcatzingo, the feline carvings located on the highest of the mountains thus reflect the dominant ideology that exists within Formative Olmec societies, symbolizing the eminent link that is present between the ruler and the sky.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
The majority of studies of the Greater Nicoya area of Pacific Nicaragua and Costa Rica have relied heavily upon the assumption that large-scale Mesoamerican migrations took place sometime in the...Show moreThe majority of studies of the Greater Nicoya area of Pacific Nicaragua and Costa Rica have relied heavily upon the assumption that large-scale Mesoamerican migrations took place sometime in the Postclassic period, resulting in the similarity between some styles of pottery and iconography between the two regions. Recently, studies have shown that there is little archaeological evidence to link the two areas, besides the ethnohistorical data and the appearance of the aforementioned iconography. This study examines one of those icons, the quintessentially Mesoamerican figure of Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, in order to look for evidence that might support either side of the debate.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
The Florentine Codex is used in many studies to provide information on Mesoamerican social life, and as complementing and reaffirming archaeological data. However, the information in the chronicle...Show moreThe Florentine Codex is used in many studies to provide information on Mesoamerican social life, and as complementing and reaffirming archaeological data. However, the information in the chronicle has been filtered through a masculine lens and interpreted by a Spanish friar. To understand the possible influences of Sahagún’s representations of Mesoamerican gender relations, Goodman’s ways of worldmaking (1978) will be applied. This theory provides insights into the processes of knowledge creation which helps us to make sense of the way Mesoamerican culture is presented in the document. The inclusion of a description of early modern Spanish gender roles and ideals reveals, and urges us to rethink, the Spaniard’s and our own conceptual framed assumptions on gender categories. Next to this, additional data is needed to confirm or reject statements made in the Spanish document: colonial native documents will be compared and complemented, as providing insider views, experiences and practices of the ideal described in the Florentine Codex. Furthermore the purpose, application and addressees of the Florentine Codex guided the represented information towards an attempt of creating a new world made out of the ideals from a Western male worldview. Understanding how the new world is created out of the familiar Spanish conceptual frame, and of what this view is composed of, provides insight in how gender roles and man-woman relations are portrayed, identified and categorised and why specific aspects are left out or accentuated. Knowing this, and the realisation of the knowledge in the document, enables us to look more critical and in concrete ways to the document before we typify something as a Mesoamerican gender category.Show less
