Lithic Analysis of the Postclassic Maya Site, Isla Cilvituk: Utilizing Microwear and Experimental Approaches to Evaluate Anthropological Problems at a Regional Scale
Creators: name: Burleson, Richard L.
Publisher: name: New Mexico State University (NMSU)
Year: 1999
Subjects: subject: Northern Maya Lowlands
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/geographic-keyword/85470/northern-maya-lowlands
subject: Terminal Classic through Late Postclassic period (AD 600-1500)
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/temporal-keyword/8409/terminal-classic-through-late-postclassic-period-ad-600-1500
subject: LOWLAND MAYA
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/culture-keyword/4430/lowland-maya
subject: Isla Cilvituk, Campeche, Mexico
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/136107/isla-cilvituk-campeche-mexico
subject: Stairway
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/333/stairway
subject: Ancient Structure
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/335/ancient-structure
subject: Agricultural Field or Field Feature
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/274/agricultural-field-or-field-feature
subject: Temple
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/338/temple
subject: Terrace
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/278/terrace
subject: Water Control Feature
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/279/water-control-feature
subject: Ancient Church / Religious Structure
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/312/ancient-church-religious-structure
subject: Town / City
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/255/town-city
subject: Ancient Governmental Structure
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/319/ancient-governmental-structure
subject: House
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/259/house
subject: stelae
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/4835/stelae
subject: House Mound
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/260/house-mound
subject: chultun
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/4836/chultun
subject: Plaza
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/331/plaza
subject: Platform Mound
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/268/platform-mound
subject: Pyramid
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/332/pyramid
subject: Pollen
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/13/pollen
subject: Shell
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/14/shell
subject: Ceramic
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/1/ceramic
subject: Chipped Stone
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/2/chipped-stone
subject: Dating Sample
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/3/dating-sample
subject: Fauna
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/4/fauna
subject: Ground Stone
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/7/ground-stone
subject: Building Materials
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/8/building-materials
subject: Macrobotanical
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/10/macrobotanical
subject: Metal
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/11/metal
subject: Terminal Classic-Postclassic transition
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/168303/terminal-classic-postclassic-transition
subject: Lacustrine settlement
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/161744/lacustrine-settlement
subject: Household Archaeology
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/134855/household-archaeology
subject: Settlement Ecology
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/155480/settlement-ecology
subject: Postclassic Lowland Maya
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/143468/postclassic-lowland-maya
subject: Resilience
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/28/resilience
subject: Archaeological Overview
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/1/archaeological-overview
subject: Historic Background Research
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/18/historic-background-research
subject: Data Recovery / Excavation
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/5/data-recovery-excavation
subject: Methodology, Theory, or Synthesis
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/6/methodology-theory-or-synthesis
subject: Reconnaissance / Survey
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/7/reconnaissance-survey
subject: Site Evaluation / Testing
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/10/site-evaluation-testing

description: The goal of any microwear analysis is to reconstruct as completely as possible the site economy. Once accomplished, such lithic data can then be incorporated into more complex interpretations concerning economic, social, and political organization. This research focuses on the obsidian and chert assemblage from the Postclassic Maya site Isla Cilvituk (AD 900-1545). A replica set of obsidian prismatic blades have been
subjected to a full range of activities associated with prehispanic Maya behavior in order to create use-wear patterns of a known origin. These known use-wear patterns were compared to the archaeological assemblage via high resolution microscopy in an attempt to determine specific stone tool function. Microwear analysis of the obsidian, macro wear analysis of the chert, and a spatial analysis utilizing the contextual data have been utilized to provide interpretations concerning household/site organization, socio-political stratification, and the economic role that Isla Cilvituk played during the Postclassic period. All of this data will be incorporated into an assessment of whether or not Isla Cilvituk functioned as a port of trade, or a refugee area selected for its
diverse resource base in the wake of the Classic Maya collapse.