Abstract

CEBALLOS PESINA, Xanti Sirani et al. Activity Areas Analysis in the Guzman Group of El Palmar, Campeche, Mexico. Estud. cult. maya [online]. 2021, vol.57, pp.55-88.  Epub Mar 26, 2021. ISSN 0185-2574.  https://doi.org/10.19130/iifl.ecm.57.2021.18653.

The chemical residue analysis is a powerful method to identify specific activity areas in archaeological structures, like those that took place on the plaster floor of buildings, which were gradually abandoned without leaving artifacts. It is based on the principle that all human activity produces residues that, when falling on the floors in the form of liquids, are absorbed into its pores and can be detected by laboratory tests, even hundreds of years later. We analyzed four structures of the Guzmán Group, a plazuela group of the El Palmar archaeological site, which was a residential compound of non-royal elites who held the title of lakam. The results, together with other material evidence, suggest that lakamob (i.e., standard bearers) were engaged in a wide variety of activities that included food storage, consumption and serving, as well as feasting, meeting, and ritual.

Keywords : El Palmar; Classic Maya society; lakamob; activity areas; chemical residues.