Animal resource manipulation in ritual and domestic contexts at Postclassic Maya communities

Abstract

At the Maya Lowland Postclassic site of Laguna de On, Belize, evidence suggests that animal resources were used differently in various social and functional contexts across the site. Large game animals and selected small taxon are more commonly associated with upper status residential or ritual contexts than with lower status residential zones. Not only are large game animals more frequently represented in upper status and ritual contexts, but they appear to have been processed in a manner that suggests their manipulation in feasting, redistribution, or ritual activities. Comparisons of species frequencies according to context at other Postclassic Maya communities suggests that mammals and birds were universally preferred for ritual and upper status use. Other species, such as iguanas and crocodiles, varied in their significance for such purposes at each community. Aquatic resources, notably fish and turtles, provided important dietary staples at all sites examined and they were not preferentially distributed.