Mesoamerica Research Articles

Cameron McNeil, ed. Chocolate in Mesoamerica: A Cultural History of Cacao. Maya Studies Series, edited by Diane Z. Chase and Arlen F. Chase. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2006. ISBN 978-0-8130-3382-2, $34.95 (paperback).

Cameron McNeil, ed. Chocolate in Mesoamerica: A Cultural History of Cacao. Maya Studies Series, edited by Diane Z. Chase and Arlen F. Chase. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2006. ISBN 978-0-8130-3382-2, $34.95 (paperback). - Volume 11 Issue 1

Indigenous Agency in Colonial Spanish America

People of the Volcano: Andean Counterpoint in the Coica Valley of Peru. By Noble David Cook, with Alexandra Parma Cook. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2007. Pp. xv + 319. $23.95 paper. With Our Labor and Sweat: Indigenous Women and the Formation of Colonial Society in Peru, 1500-1700. By Karen B. Graubart. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2007. Pp. xii + 249. $55.00 cloth. Blacks, Indians, and Spaniards in the Eastern Andes: Reclaiming the Forgotten in Colonial Mizque, 1550-1782. By Lolita Guti?rrez Brock ington. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2007. Pp. xiv + 342. $45.00 cloth. Indian Conquistadors: Indigenous Allies in the Conquest of Meso america. Edited by Laura E. Matthew and Michael R. Oudijk. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2007. Pp. xiv + 320. $45.00 cloth.

Encounter with the Plumed Serpent: Drama and Power in the Heart of Mesoamerica ‐ by Jansen, M. and Pérez Jiménez, A. P.

Bulletin of Latin American ResearchVolume 29, Issue 1 p. 134-136 Encounter with the Plumed Serpent: Drama and Power in the Heart of Mesoamerica - by Jansen, M. and Pérez Jiménez, A. P. Kevin Terraciano, Kevin Terraciano UCLASearch for more papers by this author Kevin Terraciano, Kevin Terraciano UCLASearch for more papers by this author First published: 30 November 2009 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1470-9856.2009.00345_22.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. Volume29, Issue1January 2010Pages 134-136 RelatedInformation

Genetic diversity and structure in semiwild and domesticated chiles (Capsicum annuum; Solanaceae) from Mexico

The chile of Mesoamerica, Capsicum annuum, is one of five domesticated chiles in the Americas. Among the chiles, it varies the most in size, form, and color of its fruits. Together with maize, C. annuum is one of the principal elements of the neotropical diets of Mesoamerican civilizations. Despite the great economic and cultural importance of C. annuum both worldwide and in Mexico, however, very little is known about its geographic origin and number of domestications. Here we sampled a total of 80 accessions from Mexico (58 semiwild and 22 domesticated) and examined nucleotide sequence diversity at three single- or low-copy nuclear loci, Dhn, G3pdh, and Waxy. Across the three loci, we found an average reduction of ca. 10% in the diversity of domesticates relative to semiwild chiles and geographic structure within Mexican populations. The Yucatan Peninsula contained a large number of haplotypes, many of which were unique, suggesting an important region of chile domestication and center of diversity. The present sampling of loci did not conclusively resolve the number and location of domestications, but several lines of evidence suggest multiple independent domestications from widely distributed progenitor populations.

Karyotypic evolution and phylogeny of Mexican Passalidae (Coleoptera: Polyphaga: Scarabaeoidea)

The chromosomes of 26 taxa from Mexico of the tribes Passalini (three species) and Proculini (23 species) have been studied, increasing the karyotypically known species of the family Passalidae to 56. Karyotypic dynamism is high since the diploid number varies from 18 to 44 in the tribe Proculini. and from 25 to 31 in the tribe Passalini. In addition, supernumerary chromosomes, chromosome heteromorphism, translocations and possible sex multivalents have been found. These results contrast with the numerical conservatism found in related families of the superfamily Scarabaeoidea. However, both tribes are conservative with regard to sex determination, as all species of Proculini have male XY chromosomes whereas species of the Passalini have male XO chromosomes. It is postulated that differences in patterns shown by these two tribes are mainly due to population structure, because many species of Proculini are endemic to restricted areas of Meso and South America, favouring the settlement of karyotypic changes, whereas species of Passalini are distributed over large areas in the lowlands. It is also postulated that the ancestral karyotypic formula of the family is close to 12–14 pairs of autosomes although the ancestral male sex determination may be either XY or XO. At present only a weak relationship between morphological and karyotypic evolution has been found, which together with the marked numerical variability found within and between genera make it difficult to obtain phylogenetic conclusions from karyotypic results.

Maya Calendar Origins: Monuments, Mythistory, and the Materialization of Time

Maya Calendar Origins: Monuments, Mythistory, and the Materialization of Time

Ontology of consciousness: percipient action

The hard problem of today's consciousness studies is subjective experience: understanding why some brain processing is accompanied by an experienced inner life. Recent scientific advances offer insights for understanding the physiological and chemical phenomenology of consciousness. But by leaving aside the internal experiential nature of consciousness in favor of mapping neural activity, such science leaves many questions unanswered. In Ontology of Consciousness, scholars from a range of disciplines -- from neurophysiology to parapsychology, from mathematics to anthropology and indigenous non-Western modes of thought -- go beyond these limits of current neuroscience research to explore insights offered by other intellectual approaches to consciousness. These scholars focus their attention on such philosophical approaches to consciousness as Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, North American Indian insights, pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilization, and the Byzantine Empire. Some draw on artifacts and ethnographic data to make their point. Others translate cultural concepts of consciousness into modern scientific language using models and mathematical mappings. Many consider individual experiences of sentience and existence, as seen in African communalism, Hindi psychology, Zen Buddhism, Indian vibhuti phenomena, existentialism, philosophical realism, and modern psychiatry. Some reveal current views and conundrums in neurobiology to comprehend sentient intellection. Contributors: Karim Akerma, Matthijs Cornelissen, Antoine Courban, Mario Crocco, Christian de Quincey, Thomas B. Fowler, Erlendur Haraldsson, David. J. Hufford, Pavel B. Ivanov, Heinz Kimmerle, Stanley Krippner, Armand J. Labbe, James Maffie, Hubert Markl, Graham Parkes, Michael Polemis, E Richard Sorenson, Mircea Steriade, Thomas Szasz, Mariela Szirko, Robert A.F. Thurman, Edith L.B. Turner, Julia Watkin, Helmut Wautischer

Biogeography of Exostema (Rubiaceae) in the Caribbean Region in Light of Molecular Phylogenetic Analyses

Abstract Exostema (Rubiaceae) comprises 25 neotropical woody species, ranging from western South America and Mesoamerica to the West Indies, with 19 species occurring in Cuba and Hispaniola. Biogeographical hypotheses based upon a phylogenetic analysis of morphological data depict a South American origin for the group, with species radiations in the Greater Antilles. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted using ITS and rbcL sequence data for a sample of 14 species of Exostema and nine species from eight closely related genera. Results indicate that Exostema is paraphyletic with respect to Coutarea, Erithalis, and Chiococca. Hypotheses invoking independent South American origins for subclades of Exostema are not supported. Coutarea and the South American Exostema species form a clade sister to the Caribbean Exostema species with terminal inflorescences. Relationships among axillary flowered Exostema species are not well resolved. Distribution, ecology, and seed traits indicate over-water dispersal ...

The Political economy of ancient Mesoamerica: transformations during the formative and classic periods

One of the most culturally diverse regions of the ancient world, Mesoamerica was also one of the fledgling areas for state formation. The case studies in this volume interpret Mesoamerican civilization through the emergence, resilience, and occasional demise of Mesoamerica's early and developing political economies. An exploration of the unique adaptations and approaches taken by Mesoamerican societies to cope with their evolving landscapes provides insight on how these states were organized and the varying ways in which state affairs were conducted between regions and through time. Although several factors are presented and discussed for the rise and fall of the many complex societies, the book maintains a consistent emphasis on the political economy and its transformative effects over labor, land, and water. Inspired by the impact of the annual yearbook Research in Economic Anthropology (REA) and its longstanding editor, Barry L. Isaac, the contributors in this volume were assembled to honor Isaac and selected based on their previous association with Isaac and REA as well as their knowledge of particular regions of Mesoamerica.

Textile Traditions of Mesoamerica and the Andes: An Anthology

Textile Traditions of Mesoamerica and the Andes: An Anthology. M.G. Schevill, J.C. Berlo, and E.B. Dwyer (editors). Garland Publishing, 1991. XX + 501 pp. $55.00 (cloth). ISBN 0–8240–7265–0.

News from South and Meso American Indian Information Center (SAIIC)

News from South and Meso American Indian Information Center (SAIIC)

Mesoamerica's Ancient Cities, Aerial Views of Precolumbian Ruins in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras.

Mesoamerica's Ancient Cities, Aerial Views of Precolumbian Ruins in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. WILLIAM M. FERGUSON and ARTHUR H. ROHN. Photographs by John Q. Royce and William M. Ferguson. Niwot, CO: University Press of Colorado, 1990. xiv + 251 pp., 237 illustrations. $45.00 (cloth). ISBN 0-887081-173-8.

Encounter with the plumed serpent: drama and power in the heart of Mesoamerica

Encounter with the plumed serpent: drama and power in the heart of Mesoamerica

Quantum mechanical model for Maya Blue

AbstractThis work is about Maya Blue (MB), a pigment developed by Mesoamerican civilizations between the 5th and 16th centuries from an aluminosilicate mineral (palygorskite) and an organic dye (indigo). Two different supramolecular quantum‐mechanical models afford explanations for the unusual stability of MB based on the oxidation of the indigo molecule during the heating process and its interaction with palygorskite. A model considering indigo derivatives attached to several aluminates shows the principal features of the experimental visible spectrum of MB within the TD‐DFT methodology. Another model of an indigo oxidized species confined within an inorganic supramolecular cavity system, that involves about 170 atoms, was calculated after a large configuration interaction of single excited determinants within the NDOL approximation (Montero‐Cabrera et al., J Chem Phys, 2007, 127, 145102). It allows a correct reproduction and interpretation of the corresponding spectrum. This second methodology provides the most satisfactory results, being able to manage very big molecular systems at a QM level. Structural explanation for the unusual stability of MB is also provided. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008

HLA Genes in Mayos Population from Northeast Mexico

HLA class I and class II alleles have been studied in 60 unrelated people belonging to Mayos ethnic group, which lives in the Mexican Pacific Sinaloa State. Mayos HLA profile was compared to other Amerindians and worldwide populations’ profile. A total of 14,896 chromosomes were used for comparisons. Genetic distances between populations, Neigbour-Joining dendrograms and correspondence analyses were performed to determine the genetic relationship among population. The new specific Mayo HLA haplotypes found are: HLA-A*02-B*35-DRB1*1406-DQB1*0301; HLA-A*02-B*48-DRB1*0404-DQB1*0302; HLA-A*24-B*51-DRB1*0407-DQB1*0302 and HLA-A*02-B*08-DRB1*0407-DQB1*0302. However, the typical Meso American HLADRB1*0407 represents a 40% of all DRB1 alleles. While common HLA characteristics are found in Amerindian distant ethnic groups, still new group specific HLA haplotypes are being found, suggesting that a common founder effect (i.e. high DRB1*0407) is noticed. Moreover, new HLA haplotypes are almost certainly appearing along time probably due to specific pathogen (?) selection for diversity. Mayo language is close to the Tarahumara one (another geographically close group); notwithstanding both groups are not genetically close according to our results, showing again the different evolution of genes and languages, which do not correlate. Finally, Sinaloa is one of the Mexican States in which more European genes are found. However, the results presented in this paper, where no European HLA genes are seen in Mayos, should have a bearing in establishing transplant programs and in HLA and disease studies.

On the classification, evolution and biogeography of terrestrial haemadipsoid leeches (Hirudinida: Arhynchobdellida: Hirudiniformes)

A scourge of tropical and subtropical jungles, bloodfeeding terrestrial leeches of Haemadipsidae have long confused systematists and defied sensible biogeographic interpretation. The family Haemadipsidae usually includes problematic taxa that neither fit the typical IndoPacific distribution of the group, nor properly match diagnostic characters used to define the family. Historically, four additional families—Xerobdellidae, Diestecostomatidae Mesobdellidae and Nesophilaemonidae—have occasionally been recognized for New World and European representatives, though agreement on the composition of those families has not been consistent. Here, we expand the phylogenetic sampling of non-IndoPacific (among other) genera to include Meso American Diestecostoma species and Nesophilaemon skottsbergii from the Juan Fernandez Archipelago in order to critically assess prior hypotheses in a molecular phylogenetic analysis of arhynchobdellid leeches. The result, based on nuclear 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA and mitochondrial COI indicates that there are two distantly related lineages of bloodfeeding terrestrial leeches. The otherwise monophyletic family Haemadipsidae is found to exclude species of Xerobdella, Mesobdella and Diestecostoma. Xerobdellidae is formally resurrected to accommodate species of those three genera. Morphological characteristics corroborate the distinction of Haemadipsidae and Xerobdellidae on the basis of sexual and nephridial characters. Idiobdella seychellensis belongs in Haemadipsidae notwithstanding its lacking respiratory auricles. Nesophilaemon skottsbergii too is in Haemadipsidae notwithstanding its geographic proximity to the xerobdellid Mesobdella gemmata. The characters used to define haemadipsoid families are reevaluated. Feeding preferences and biogeographic patterns are also examined.

Detection of a population replacement at the Classic–Postclassic transition in Mexico

The Mexica Empire reached an outstanding social, economic and politic organization among Mesoamerican civilizations. Even though archaeology and history provide substantial information about their past, their biological origin and the demographic consequences of their settlement in the Central Valley of Mexico remain unsolved. Two main hypotheses compete to explain the Mexica origin: a social reorganization of the groups already present in the Central Valley after the fall of the Classic centres or a population replacement of the Mesoamerican groups by migrants from the north and the consequent setting up of the Mexica society. Here, we show that the main changes in the facial phenotype occur during the Classic-Postclassic transition, rather than in the rise of the Mexica. Furthermore, Mexica facial morphology seems to be already present in the early phases of the Postclassic epoch and is not related to the northern facial pattern. A combination of geometric morphometrics with Relethford-Blangero analyses of within- versus among-group variation indicates that Postclassic groups are more variable than expected. This result suggests that intense gene exchange was likely after the fall of the Classic and maybe responsible for the Postclassic facial phenotype. The source population for the Postclassic groups could be located somewhere in western Mesoamerica, since North Mexico and Central Mesoamerican Preclassic and Classic groups are clearly divergent from the Postclassic ones. Similarity among Preclassic and Classic groups and those from Aridoamerica could be reflecting the ancestral phenotypic pattern characteristic of the groups that first settled Mesoamerica.

Landscape transformation, mounded villages and adopted cultigens: the rise of early Formative communities in south-eastern Uruguay

New research in lowland South America is beginning to reveal a diversity of complex cultural trajectories in a region that was long-considered marginal with respect to Andean and Mesoamerican civilizations. This paper summarizes new archaeological, palaeoecological and archaebotanical data from Los Ajos site, south-eastern Uruguay, showing that a changing and increasingly dry mid-Holocene climate was associated with significant cultural transformations, including early village formation, the adoption of a mixed economy and the construction of the earliest public architecture known for the area. Collectively, this evidence indicates an early and unexpected development of social complexity that had not heretofore been recorded in this area of South America. Human-environment interactions, social processes related to the development of early village life and the role of early public architecture are discussed with reference to the emergence of early Formative communities in the region.

Moche art and archaeology in ancient Peru

This handsome volume presents the creations of Mesoamerica's most ancient societies in their archaeological contexts. The Olmec--best known for a unique style of monumental stone head and jade were-jaguar--were based along the Gulf of Mexico but have also been linked to other Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Maya and Aztec. This book discusses recent spectacular finds and provides a framework for understanding the history, art, and archaeology of the Olmec.

Tasting Empire: Chocolate and the European Internalization of Mesoamerican Aesthetics

RESUMEN Este articulo ofrece una nueva interpretacion de como y por que los europeos desarrollaron el gusto por el chocolate. Mientras estudios previos sugieren que los europeos transformaron el chocolate en terminos materiales e ideologicos para que encajara en su propio conjunto de gustos y prejuicios, aqui se demuestra que los europeos aprendieron a que les gustara el chocolate en los terminos de los indigenas como resultado de su estatus como minoria cultural en la Mesoamerica colonial. Este articulo tambien utiliza el caso historico de la transculturacion migratoria del chocolate para revisar los modelos explicativos del gusto usados en la literatura historica y antropologica. Rechaza los esencialismos biologicos y cultural-funcionalistas y muestra, en cambio, que el gusto es una variable historica independiente asociada a las circunstancias sociales. PALABRAS CLAVE: Chocolate, cacao, gusto, consumo, historia del mundo Atlantico, imperialismo. POR M ARCY N ORTON ** Chocolate para el imperio: