Search

In the centre of the Mayan Lowlands, several scientific and technical obstacles hinder the understanding of long-term socio-environmental dynamics, at the scale of the territories of the cities. The study of the socio-ecosystem of Naachtun, a Maya city of the Classic period, is not exempt from these constraints. How did natural resources (water, soil and living resources) along with management strategies change, in the past in the territory of this city, with special respect to climate, social demands and relation with nature of the ancient Mayas? What were the associated socio-environmental risks and how did the resilience of the socio-ecosystem change? In order to answer these questions by removing these obstacles, new systemic, interdisciplinary and multiscalar, methodological research is being implemented (geoarchaeology, archaeogeography, palaeoecology, archaeobotany, archaeozoology and geochronology). Preliminary results reveal the complexity of the Mayan palimpsest territories produced during the ~ 1500 BCE-1000 CE period and inform the cross dynamics of hydrosystems, agrosystems and sociosystems., Dans le cœur des Basses Terres mayas, plusieurs verrous scientifiques et techniques constituent des obstacles à la connaissance des dynamiques socio-environnementales, survenues aux échelles des territoires des cités sur la longue durée. L’étude du socio-écosystème de Naachtun, cité maya de la période Classique, n’échappe pas à ces contraintes. Quelles furent les évolutions des ressources (eau, sol et vivant) et de leurs gestions dans ce territoire, en regard du climat, de la demande sociale et du rapport à la nature des anciens Mayas? Quels furent les risques socio-environnementaux associés à ces évolutions ainsi que la résilience du socio-écosystème? Afin de répondre à ces questions en levant ces obstacles, de nouveaux développements méthodologiques systémiques, interdisciplinaires et multiscalaires sont mis en œuvre (géoarchéologie, archéogéographie, paléoécologie, archéobotanique, archéozoologie, archéologie et géochronologie). Les résultats préliminaires révèlent la complexité des territoires palimpsestes mayas produits durant l’épisode ~ 1500 av.-1000 apr. J.-C. et renseignent les dynamiques croisées des hydrosystèmes, des agrosystèmes et des socio-systèmes.

International audience; " The nature of the interactions between the elite and commoners, has been little addressed in Maya archaeology. During the Classic period (A.D. 150-950), the Mirador Basin underwent seyeral changes in social, politics, economy and cultural terms, and derivatives of important eyents that occurred just after the collapse of El Mirador, occurred around A.D. 150. Recent archaeological research in the Mirador Basin provides clues to understanding the interaction between rural communities and urban centers. This phenomenon occurred mainly at a time marked by a significant increase of population between A.D. 6oo and A.D. 75o. There are several settlements that may have been places of production of goods at the service of the elite groups. In this sense, this paper aims to discuss the nature of these relationships and mostly, dig into the reconstruction of the territorial organízatíon of the Late Classic period." (source éditeur)

International audience; "During the Preclassic period, El Mirador was among the largest centers in the Maya lowlands and reached a high level of social and cultural sophistication. To understand how El Mirador was able to reach that kind of development, it is necessary to pay attention to the suburbs where the remains of an extended occupation are sheltered. The suburbs of El Mirador are configured by a network of causeways which had to cross sea-sonal swamps and allowed communication between various ceremonial centers and residential compounds. The results have shown that there are settlements dated from the Middle Preclassic through the Terminal Classic, and that uses and functions of each settlement varied over time showing spatial arrangements with significant differences. Among the most important settlements we have Sacalero, Pedernal, Los Faisanes and La Muerta, which along other sites conform this study where systematic excavations and mapping have allowed us to know the scale of occupation that El Mirador throughout their occupation history." (source éditeur); Voir le site de l'association Tikal pour lire le document en ligne ou télécharger le document.

International audience; Accessible en ligne ici : http://www.mesoweb.com/publications/MMS/9_Nondedeo_etal.pdf

International audience; "During the Classic period, El Mirador had a resettlement in many of the main architectural compounds built in the Preclassic, forming new residential units with concentric patterns. During the Tepeu 2 phase, the political center of El Mirador was located in the Danta Complex, finding monumental architecture and other objects belonging to elite groups. At the same time, inside and around the ancient city, multiple structures were built reflecting a high range in hierarchy among that society. From the settlement patterns studies, the establishment forms, the territorial organization and the material life of the population will be discussed as also their cultural features that will allow us to get inside the history of the Classic times at this enigmatic city."(source éditeur); voir le lien vers l'association Tikal pour lire le texte en ligne ou télécharger le document.

International audience; "The Mirador Basin is notable for its extensive network of inter-regional and intra-site causeways. Re-cent archaeological investigations and environmental studies conducted by the Mirador Basin project have brought to light new evidence that suggests practical, multi-functional aspects of the system such as its social importance and ceremonial functions. This paper considers how the ancient inhabitants of El Mirador, the principal city of the Basin, utilized the inter-site and intra-site causeways for commerce, communication, transport, military movements, and regional political control. The function of hydraulic control consisted in the ability to impound and regulate rainwater on a regional level across seasonal wetlands known locally as bajos, as well as the probable diversion and control of water for agricultural uses. Infrastructure projects and construction on a grand scale, which included inter-site and intra-site causeways, served to regulate and restrict access of citizens and elites within their new built-environment. Monuments, altar-stela complexes, and decorative art associated with the causeways suggests their past use for public rituals as well as private events of commemorative nature related to the history of creation known as the Popul Vuh." (source éditeur); voir le lien vers l'association Tikal pour lire le texte en ligne ou télécharger le document.

International audience; "At the end of the first field season (April-May 2010), and after completing the analysis of data and materials recollected, we were able to define three main lines of investigation for the next four years. The first topic deals with the study of the processes that led to the constitution of an agglomeration in Group B of no less than 38 residential patios dating from the Late and Terminal Classic periods. Another theme of research is the understanding of stability or changing trough time of seat of power. But here, we will expose the third line of investigation related to economy: all materials recovered during the first two field seasons clearly indicate that Naachtun had access during a long time to a large quantity and variety of goods andproducts, and this is significant when we try to understand the different aspects of the economy of this major Center. Which roots can we identify to explain the prosperity of the site?" (source éditeur); Voir le lien vers le site de l'association Tikal pour lire le texte en ligne ou télécharger le document.

International audience; "The Valley of Guatemala was populated from the earliest times. The first inhabitants of the valley were located around the Miraflores Lake, the waters of Las Charcas, Amatitlán Lake, and the El Naranjo Lagoon. Construction of clay platforms and mounds seems to have begun in the Las Charcas phase. This paper presents the results of the mapping of the site, evaluating the layout of its structures. To this, other elements are added that complement the spatial arrangement at the site. " (source éditeur); Voir le site de l'association Tikal pour lire le document en ligne ou télécharger le document.

International audience; "Multidisciplinary studies over nearly three decades in the Mirador Basin have revealed data on its settlement, interaction and trade, politics, economy, and ecology, which help to understand some of the cultural and natural processes in this complex zone during the Preclassic and Classic periods. A synthesis of archaeological, geological, epigraphic, botanical, biological, ceramic, and topographic studies in the area demonstrates the cultural splendor associated with the origins, development, and cultural process of the first Maya state and cultural and environmental consequences of its precocious flowering in the Preclassic. The result of this development and abandonment in the zone had a strong impact on much of the Maya world. Preservation measures have been implemented at the cultural and natural level, and the intense collaboration arising between local communities and national and international institutions gives new optimism for the preservation integral to the cultural and natural system of the zone. " (source éditeur); Voir le site de l'association Tikal pour lire le document en ligne ou télécharger le document.

International audience; "The archaeological studies in the Mirador Basin have focused on understanding the origin, development and collapse of the Preclassic Maya civilization, together with the conservation and preservation of the archaeological sites and their natural surroundings. This presentation will introduce the studies of the 2004 season that increased our knowledge of these natural and cultural processes. The mapping of the site’s central section continued using a total station. This offered a site perspective never seen before. Also, part of the archaeological work consisted of testing sites in the West Group in which there is data showing some evidence for the site’s collapse happening at the end of the Late Classic period. Furthermore, excavation pits at the main steps of Structure 34 show the singular importance of this building in the past and indicates the importance of implementing new means of conserving and consolidating Preclassic buildings. Excavations carried out at La Muerta, El Mirador, include final work on Structures A1 and A2 where important information was obtained relating to the building’s architecture. Structure A2 was confirmed as being Early Classic with a network of passages allowing access to the innerfunerary rooms for subsequent generations. Furthermore, the existence of a third level to the building was proved, smaller in dimension but with the same system of passages. Structure A1, beside A2, revealed important information about its function such as the existence of heads modeled in stucco in the upper room of the building. The presence of these heads suggests a representation of faces of Preclassic ancestors, implying a ritual function relating the location of these two structures in La Muerta.The 2004 field season also produced final results in the consolidation and restoration accomplished in El Mirador, rescuing Preclassic and Classic buildings that were in imminent danger of collapse. The final process of architectural consolidation work at El Mirador implemented a vanguard methodology for the conservation of the buildings as well as the stucco artwork which allows at the same time the showing of Preclassic Maya architecture for educational and tourism purposes. This methodology proposes unique measures to date, using the samePrehispanic techniques and material, following a rigorous program of execution and monitoring.The preliminary results have shown very satisfactory evidence." (source éditeur); Voir le site de l'association Tikal pour lire le document en ligne ou télécharger le document.

International audience; "El sitio arqueológico El Mirador se encuentra en el norte de Petén, en una cuenca definida por una sierra kárstica en tres lados. Está rodeado por una gran cantidad de bajos o pantanos boscosos que identifican esta zona. El sitio se conecta a otros en la cuenca por una red de calzadas, formando un sistema de interacción poco conocido en el Preclásico. Investigaciones arqueológicas entre 1978 y 1983, organizadas por la Universidad Católica de Washington y la Universidad de Brigham Young, determinaron la fuerte presencia de una ocupación Preclásica. Parte de estas investigaciones incluyeron la excavación de la Estructura 34, ubicada en el Complejo Tigre del Grupo Oeste de El Mirador. Para evaluar los resultados obtenidos por las investigaciones anteriores, e iniciar un programa de desarrollo turístico, además de iniciar programas de consolidación y conservación, el Proyecto Cuenca Mirador efectuó una investigación sistemática del sitio como la primera etapa durante la temporada de 2003. Para comprobar la extensión de la ocupación Preclásica, uno de los primeros esfuerzos de la temporada fue colocar sondeos de prueba para determinar la extensión y cronología de lugares desconocidos en el sitio. " (source éditeur); Voir le site de l'association Tikal pour lire le document en ligne ou télécharger le document.