Architecture as a Material Representation of Sociopolitical Structure: An Analysis of Lowland Maya Palace Complexes in the Late Eighth Century

Abstract

The archaeology of the Maya lowlands, especially research that focuses on the development of cities during the Classic period (ad 250–900), constitutes an important field for the analysis of the sociopolitical organization of ancient states. When studying past societies, such as lowland Maya civilization, it must be remembered that the evidence recovered through archaeology and related disciplines is always incomplete. Interpretations of these data are largely based on the application of theoretical models developed from the studies of contemporary or historical societies. Functionalist and structuralist approaches have studied human relationships from both individual and collective perspectives. The reconstruction of Classic Maya sociopolitical systems and regimes has been one of the greatest challenges since the beginning of archaeological investigation in the region. Archaeological, ethnohistorical, epigraphic, and iconographic investigations have been able to identify a wide range of activities that were carried out in palace complexes.