Aspects of a Maya urban network in northwest Belize скачать в хорошем качестве

Aspects of a Maya urban network in northwest Belize

Patricia Neuhoff-Malorzo (University of Texas at Austin/SWCA) Analysis of ancient Maya cities and settlements has turned in the past decade from conceptualizations which focused on house or lineage to studies of urbanization. Looking at the major centres, their associated neighbourhoods, and outlying hinterland settlements, it is now more accurate to think of some of these areas as urban networks, linked locations that share ideas, and goods, and across which labour forces or people move readily. It is in this sense that the Maya centre of La Milpa in Northwest Belize easily becomes the hub and its hinterland settlements form the greater urban network. The most recent data sets and analysis comparing three of La Milpa’s surrounding hinterland settlements indicate similar features including the conceptions of space, settlement layout, and organization and structuring of both activity areas and social organization related demarcations. These settlements can be considered the regional areas surrounding the urban node, built practically in the landscape, each modifying as needed to suit the desires of the specific settlement population. Settlements are connected to the node through shared traditions, social dynamics, and organization with links of goods, ideas, people and culture.