Posted on 04/25/2013 8:11:19 PM PDT by BenLurkin
In his view, the culture that went on to dominate Mesoamerica until the arrival of Europeans got its start during a power vacuum that lasted for about 200 to 350 years in a period of Olmec rule. That allowed the people who built the ceremonial structure at a site known as Ceibal to interact with others from nearby areas and begin forming a new culture. They probably had influences from as far away as Chiapas and the Pacific Coast, both about 200 miles away.
"Ceibal was a part of this major change," Inomata said.
Inomata has been working at Ceibal, in the southwestern Maya lowlands, since 2005. The people who lived there repeatedly built on the same site over hundreds of years, leaving behind layers of civilization that extend 30 feet or more beneath the surface.
Digging deep to gain access to ancient construction, Inomata and his team which included his wife, Daniela Triadan, also of the University of Arizona discovered a collection of structures that archaeologists refer to as "E-Group assemblages." There was a square building on the west, an open plaza and a long platform on the east. By 700 BC, the building was as much as 26 feet tall.
These types of structures are considered precursors of the monumental pyramids that the Maya later built at sites such as Palenque in southern Mexico. Aligned with the sun's path through the sky, such buildings are believed to have been ritual spaces where the community would have gathered to make offerings.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
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GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach | |
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Thanks BenLurkin.during a power vacuum that lasted for about 200 to 350 years in a period of Olmec ruleTo all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. |
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Si on Duck Dynasty thinks they were in Hawaii...
I thought I'd read dates as early as 1400bc for the Olmecs.
Think they’ll get around to the Egyptians as being an influence?
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