Palenque and Selected Survey Sites in Chiapas and Tabasco: The Preclassic
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Research Year:  1998
Culture:  Maya
Chronology:  Pre-Classic
Location:  Chiapas and Tabasco, México
Sites:  Palenque, Trinidad, Zapatilla, Chinikiha, Paso Nuevo

Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Trinidad
Zapatillo (Nueva Esperanza)
Chinikiha
Paso Nuevo
Palenque
Methodology and Closing Comments
Key to Illustrations
Illustrations
Sources Cited

Abstract

Archaeological research focused on the major Classic Maya site of Palenque included the occasional recovery of Preclassic remains at various survey sites in Chiapas and Tabasco. Preclassic ceramics at four of these, in addition to Palenque, are considered. The Middle Preclassic is well represented at all sites, a primary subdivision being the appearance of waxy wares. The non-waxy to waxy shift, recalling Xe-Mamom relationships, is more pronounced than changes marking the Middle to Late Preclassic transition. Initial Middle Preclassic similarities tend to be stronger outside the Maya Lowlands than with other Lowland Maya sites, and a few ceramics also have non-Maya Early Preclassic correspondences. Depending in part on the survey site under consideration, Olmec/Greater Isthmiam features and Chalchuapa-like treatments are noted. Usually, however, relationships are observed on a modal rather than typological level, perhaps reflecting the reworking of external influences from varied sources and the occasional retention of earlier features as archaisms.

Robert L. Rands and Ronald L. Bishop are co-authors of "The Dish-Plate Tradition at Palenque: Continuity and Change." In Patterns and Process: A Festschrift in Honor of Dr. Edward V. Sayre, edited by Lambertus van Zelst. This paper was published by Smithsonian Center for Research and Education, Suitland, Maryland in 2003 and is available in the FAMSI library.

Submitted 06/24/2002 by:
Robert L. Rands

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