No Collapse! The production and exchange of fine-ware ceramics in eastern Maya lowlands (AD 800 – 1250)

Maya civilisation did not collapse. What did happen was a drastic restructuring of socio-political order across Maya lowlands, a process that began around AD 800. Most previous research explored these changes from a top-down approach, focusing on what happened to the ruling elites. In this talk, I will focus on discussing the responses of people at the local level in face of these drastic changes. These responses will be drawn from an investigation of ceramic evidence, in particular fine-ware ceramics (Ahk’utu’ vases and Zakpah ceramics), as the production and exchange of fine-ware ceramics are believed to be more susceptible to socio-political changes than utilitarian pottery. Using an integrated approach – one that combines stylistic, technological and contextual studies – the evidence shows that fine-ware production during the early phase of the transition (AD 800–900/950) is characterised by the co-existence of two ceramic traditions. These traditions guided potters in the raw materials and technical practices used in making Ahk’utu’ vases. It was then replaced by the creation of one broad ceramic tradition during the late phase (AD 950/1000–1000/1250), which saw greater liberty among producers in executing the Zakpah fine-ware production. Such shift is argued to have been stimulated by a change and increase in demand for fine-ware ceramics during the later phase of the transition, corresponding to the emergence and proliferation of a new elite stratum in Maya lowlands.

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