Great Development in Troubled Times: The Terminal Classic at the Maya Site of Nakum, Peten, Guatemala

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Recent investigations carried out at the Maya site of Nakum, located in the northeastern part of Guatemala, revealed traces of very intense Terminal Classic period occupation and architectural construction and renovation. Archaeological excavations in the site's core and its periphery indicate that the apogee of Nakum's cultural prosperity and demographic increase occurred during the Terminal Classic period when many new structures were constructed and almost all old constructions were rebuilt. The growth and prosperity of Terminal Classic Nakum stands in stark contrast to the prevailing pattern of collapse and abandonment seen at many other lowland Maya sites during this turbulent period. Archaeological and epigraphic data suggest that Nakum survived the collapse of other major cities such as Tikal or Naranjo by at least a century. Nakum's success can be attributed to its role as a fluvial port that controlled commercial activities within this region. Its advantageous location on the banks of the Holmul River, combined with weakened competition from formerly more powerful neighbors such as Tikal and Naranjo, apparently permitted Nakum's ruling elite to actively expand its trade relationships in spite of the broad economic and political crisis that profoundly affected the Southern Maya Lowlands. However, its success was relatively brief, for by the end of the Terminal Classic (ca.<jats:sc>a.d.</jats:sc>950) Nakum apparently succumbed to the same forces that had caused the collapse and abandonment of most Southern Maya Lowland cities.</jats:p>

Excavations in Nakum structure 99: new data on Protoclassic rituals and Precolumbian Maya beekeeping

“…Research by the Triángulo Project carried out in the largest and most monumental sector of the site (the Southern Sector) recorded very copious evidence of Terminal Classic activity. At that time, Nakum experienced enormous demographic and political growth (Hermes, 2002;Źrałka et al, 2007;Źrałka, 2008;Źrałka and Hermes, 2012). One of the major aims of our recent research conducted at the lesser-known Northern Sector of the site was to check if this part of the site was likewise inhabited and if it had experienced any important building programs during the said period.…”

Between death and divinity. Rethinking the significance of Triadic Groups in ancient Maya culture

“…The specific case of Triángulo Park's main sites, namely Yaxhá, Nakum, and Naranjo, that not only carefully maintain their Triadics along with their surroundings, but also elevate new ones, has to be treated as a local peculiarity. At the end of Classic times Nakum enters its heyday, exercising the gap of power left after the demise of the neighboring superpowers (Źrałka, 2008;Źrałka and Hermes, 2012). It is even more clearly perceivable during the Terminal Classic period (figure 8).…”

“…Central building of Structure N was flanked by two single-chambered structures since its first stages during the Late Classic; however, at the beginning all three had been facing the same eastern direction. The 6th and 7th architectural episodes dating to the end of Late Classic and Terminal Classic, respectively, converted the plan into a Triadic that can be classified both as a T-Type and a U-Type (Źrałka, 2008: 70, Źrałka andHermes, 2012).…”

Political Alliances and Trade Connections Observed in the Ceramic Record of the Classic Period: The Perspective From the Maya Site of Nakum, Guatemala

“…One of the most interesting developments in the history of this site is its anomalous growth towards the end of the Classic period—the ninth and the beginning of the tenth centuries—a time that is otherwise characterized by a profound crisis and collapse of most lowland Maya centers. Nonetheless, during this time, Nakum witnessed major architectural programs and its lords commissioned the largest number of carved monuments documented to date at the site (Helmke et al 2018; Źrałka and Hermes 2012).

Figure 1.Map of northern Peten and surrounding areas with location of Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park, and most dominant sites of the region.

…”