WATERY UNDERWORLD SYMBOLISM AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL AUTHORITY IN THE MOPAN VALLEY, BELIZE

Abstract

Shifts between the Preclassic and Classic periods involved transitions in many aspects of Maya society, including the role of ritual activities as sources of power for and markers of political authority. During the Classic period, royal individuals were often buried in crypts or tombs marked with water symbolism that symbolically placed the individual within the watery underworld. Layers of lithics overlying these important interments were part of this symbolism. Water symbolism of this nature has deep roots in Maya ideology, beginning as early as the Middle Preclassic, prior to institutionalized political authority. In this article, we explore the relationships between large lithic deposits and underworld and water symbolism at Las Ruinas de Arenal and Buenavista del Cayo to shed light on diachronic transformations of ritual practices involving lithics and other objects reflecting the watery underworld. The deposits at Arenal suggest that during the Preclassic period, watery underworld symbolism was part of communal ritual activities that occurred in public ritual locations. At Buenavista, large lithic deposits reflecting underworld symbolism are more restricted and individualized in nature. We believe this reflects elite incorporation of communal practices to legitimize their privileged position in society and reinforce their political authority.