Prehistoric Maya Settlement Patterns in the Upper Belize River Area: Initial Results of the Belize River Archaeological Settlement Survey

Abstract

The Classic Period Maya (ca. AC, 250-900) have been defined largely on the basis of shared stylist complexes of material remain that indicate widespread and regular interaction across the vast expanse of the tropical Maya lowlands.(Fig.1.) recent research, however has revealed a great deal of variability in lowlands Maya Social, political and economic organization Numerous studies have demonstrated variability in settlement patterns for residential zones around administrative centers, as well among those sub-regional division of the Maya lowlands currently recognized (Ashmore 1981; Graham 1987;Sabloff 1983). Much of this observed variability in residential settlement appear to be related to basis differences in adaptive strategies adn spatial organization of farmers dealing with the mosaic pattern of environmental diversity that characterizes the Maya lowlands. It is increasingly apparent that the analysis of lowland Maya social complexity must include, as an integral part, an appreciation of local processes of development at the rural household level before the regional system can be elucidated (Rathje 1983). To this end Belize River Archaeological Settlement Survey (BRASS) was initiated in the upper Belize River area of Belize, about 60 km from Tikal in the eastern periphery of the Maya lowlands.