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Early Maya E Groups, the Milky Way, and creation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2023

Prudence M. Rice Open the ORCID record for Prudence M. Rice [Opens in a new window]
Prudence M. Rice*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA
*
Correspondence author: Prudence M. Rice, email: pmrice2947@gmail.com
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Abstract

I propose a “Milky Way / creation hypothesis” for the elongated eastern structures in early Maya E Groups: they were modeled on the Milky Way galaxy. These architectural arrangements, beginning in the Preclassic period (c. 900 B.C.–A.D. 200) in the southern Maya Lowlands, were adopted from predecessors in the Early Preclassic neighboring Gulf Coast region. The widespread overall similarity of E Groups suggests a shared belief system centered on myths about creation, and many of the characters (e.g., Maize God) and events of creation in Maya myths are set in the Milky Way. The general north–south axial orientation of the eastern platform, frequently pivoted northeast–southwest, is proposed to be related to the rainy season position of the Milky Way overhead. E Groups were probably multifunctional ritual theaters, the eastern platforms serving as stages for nighttime performances of creation stories. Late modifications into a tripart edifice, with structures or superstructures in the center and at both ends, replicated the major asterisms of the visible galaxy and/or the creator gods.

Resumen

Resumen

Propongo una “hipótesis de la Vía Láctea y la Creación” para las estructuras orientales alargadas en los Grupos E de los mayas tempranos: fueron modelados en la galaxia de la Vía Láctea. Estos arreglos arquitectónicos, que comenzaron en el período preclásico (c. 900 a.C.–200 d.C.) en las tierras bajas mayas del sur, fueron adoptados de los predecesores en la región vecina de la costa del Golfo del preclásico temprano. La similitud general de los Grupos E sugiere un sistema de creencias compartido centrado en los mitos sobre la Creación, y muchos de los personajes (por ejemplo, el Dios del Maíz) y los eventos de la Creación en los mitos mayas están situados en la Vía Láctea. Se propone que la orientación axial general de norte a sur de la plataforma oriental, con frecuencia girada de noreste a suroeste, está relacionada con la posición de la Vía Láctea en la estación lluviosa. Los Grupos E probablemente eran teatros rituales multifuncionales, las plataformas orientales sirvieron como escenarios para representaciones de cuentas de la Creación. Modificaciones tardías en un edificio tripartito, con estructuras o superestructuras en el centro y en ambos extremos, replicaron los principales asterismos de la galaxia visible y/o los dioses de la Creación.

Keywords

Lowland MayaE-GroupsMilky WayPreclassiccreation
Type
Research Article
Information
Ancient Mesoamerica , Volume 35 , Issue 1 , Spring 2024 , pp. 262 - 277
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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