[Aztlan] From R. Diehl

[Justin Kerr]

This is, of course, from a non-expert--- but I seem to remember from my days
working in Copan, that Rebecca Story and her crew showed us that as the
rulers lived long lives and did not diminish in height, the peasant
population became smaller and shorter.
Another view of this area of study is found in
Reconstructing Ancient Maya Diet
Edited by Christine D. White
ISBN 978-0-87480-602-1 
Justin 

-----Original Message-----
From: aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org [mailto:aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org]
On Behalf Of John F. Schwaller
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 11:49 AM
To: Aztlan
Subject: [Aztlan] From R. Diehl

 From R. Diehl (rdiehl at as.ua.edu)

Dear Listeros,

"The rich (and powerful) are different from you and me." We are beginning to
learn how true that was of the ancient Maya. We always have known that Maya
society was stratified but recently hard facts have begun to replace gut
feelings. This is especially evident in recent multi-disciplinary studies of
the physical remains and tombs of Maya rulers. The most famous of these
potentates today is Palenque's Janaab' Pakal (aka Propeller Shield), a close
second to ancient Egypt's Tutankhamen in modern name and face recognition.
In a new book Janaab' Pakal of Palenque: Reconstructing the Life and Death
of a Maya Ruler, (edited by Vera Tiesler and Andea Cucina, University of
Arizona Press, 2006), numerous Mexican and foreign scientists examine
Pakal's life and the various issues that have arisen since Alberto Ruz L.
discovered his burial chamber deep inside the Temple of the Inscriptions
more than fifty-five years ago. They solve some but not all of the
mysteries.

How old was he when he died? Although it is still impossible to ascertain
his precise age of death, the consensus is that he truly was a geezer. Did
he have the extra fingers and club foot suggested by his portraits? No. He
did have a healthy childhood with no growth interruptions that indicate lack
of food. His teeth suggest a diet rich in animal protein. If he ever
performed heavy physical labor, it did not leave any marks on his bones. His
skull was deformed as an infant and his teeth filed as an adult, marks of
his exalted status. In his older years he suffered chronic back pain and
probably had to be carried up and down stairs whether he wanted to or not.
Upon his death his corpse apparently was embalmed but not covered with a
shroud, as some writers have suggested. Comparisons with the burial remains
of other ancient Palencanos show just how fortunate Pakal was and what an
unusual life he led. 

In one of the most fascinating chapters, Nicolai Grube brings together
information on the lives of numerous other Maya rulers who have been
identified in recent years and shows that as class, they were the "Fortunate
Sons" of the old Credence Clearwater Revival song. I cannot help but wonder
what farmers and other commoners "really" thought about some of the at-times
overbearing big shots who did not have to carry their own weight, as it
were!

This is not a book that I would recommend for purchase by non-professionals
because of the highly technical nature of most of the studies. After all, I
borrowed a copy from the library. In any case, it provides fascinating
insights into both the only ancient Mesoamerican ruler we can come close to
knowing as a person and some larger issues in Mesoamerican studies. It
really kind of adds to the pervasive magic of Palenque, a true jewel in the
Maya crown.

It also leads me to wonder, Was Pakal a GOOD ruler? Any answer to that is of
necessity a subjective, judgmental response but I ask: Did his subjects
lives improve during his long reign? Did they enjoy better nutrition, longer
life, the pleasure of seeing more children reach adulthood, protection from
enemies, and the rights to enjoy more of the fruits of their labor? We do
not know but we can study the issue. All it will take is for some
enterprising archaeologist to excavate a sample of Palencano farm houses and
burials to see how the grunts lived.

Dick Diehl
rdiehl at as.ua.edu



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