Resumo

GILLESPIE, Susan D.. Aspectos corporativos de la persona (personhood) y la encarnación (embodiment) entre los mayas del periodo Clásico. Estud. cult. maya [online]. 2008, vol.31, pp.65-81. ISSN 0185-2574.

In influential studies over the last 10 years, cultural diversity within Mesoamerica has been categorized according to two opposed political-economic strategies. In the network strategy power is wielded by individuals, while in the corporate strategy power is shared among large corporate groups. The Classic Maya are believed to have followed the network strategy, whereas Teotihuacan exhibited the corporate strategy. Maya emphasis on depictions of named kings, elaborate burials, and palaces are considered evidence for the individualizing network strategy. However, the archaeological distinction between the two strategies relies on the presence of representations of persons. The anthropological literature on personhood demonstrates difficulties in distinguishing the person and agency of individuals versus groups, raising doubts about the utility of the corporate/network dichotomy. Classic Maya kings are shown to have embodied their royal houses. Examining how their bodies represented corporate groups reveals new insights into Maya political strategies.