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Lidar reveals the entire kingdom of Izapa during the first millennium BC

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 October 2018

Robert M. Rosenswig  and
Ricardo López-Torrijos
Robert M. Rosenswig*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Arts and Sciences 237, Albany, NY12222, USA
Ricardo López-Torrijos
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Arts and Sciences 237, Albany, NY12222, USA
*
*Author for correspondence (Email: rrosenswig@albany.edu)
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Abstract

The origins of ancient states is an important archaeological research topic that illuminates the precursors of modern nations. Public buildings, as is the case today, created urban settings in which political, administrative and religious functions were undertaken. This investigation of the ancient Mesoamerican kingdom of Izapa reveals a network of urban centres laid out according to shared design principles. While the capital city of Izapa has long been known, the authors’ research reveals, for the first time, the entire Izapa kingdom. This work provides an important new insight into the origins of political hierarchy and urban life in pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica.

Keywords

MesoamericaSoconuscoIzapaFormative periodlidar
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 92 , Issue 365 , October 2018 , pp. 1292 - 1309
Copyright
© Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2018 

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