Masson, Marilyn A., authorUniversity Press of Colorado, publisher2007-01-032007-01-032000http://hdl.handle.net/10217/90072Includes bibliographical references and index.The prevailing view of the lowland Maya during the Postclassic period (A.D. 1050-1500) has been one of an impoverished, degenerated" society devoid of cultural accomplishment. However, Marilyn A. Masson offers a fresh interpretation of this society as one that represented a complex, sophisticated, extensive organization of semiautonomous units that were closely integrated, yet embraced a decentralized political economy. In the Realm of Nachan Kan opens a window of Postclassic Maya patterns of cultural development and organization through a close examination of the small rural island of Laguna de On, a location that was distant from the governing political centers of the day. Using diachronic analysis of regional settlement patterns, ceramic traditions, household and ritual features, and artifacts from the site, Masson tracks developmental changes throughout the Postclassical period. These data suggest that affluent patterns of economic production and local and long-distance exchange were established within northern Belize by the eleventh century, and continued to develop, virtually uninterrupted, until the time of Spanish arrival. In addition, Masson analyzes contemporary political and religious artistic traditions at the temples of Mayapan, Tulum, and Santa Rita to provide a regional context for the changes in community patterns at Laguna de On. These cultural changes, she maintains, are closely correlated with the rise of Mayapan to power and participation of sites like Laguna de On in pan-lowland economic and ritual interaction sphere. Offering a thoroughly new interpretation of Postclassic Mayan civilization, In the Realm of Nacham Kan is a must for scholars of Mesoamerican history and culture.--Book jacket.1. Introduction: From the Eleventh Century Forward -- 2. The Physical and Political Geography of Laguna de On -- 3. Northern Belize Postclassic Ceramic Chronology -- 4. Community Patterns at Laguna de On -- 5. Economic Production and Exchange at Laguna de On -- 6. Religious institutions and Elite Power at Postclassic Maya Communities -- 7. Postclassic Maya Cultural Development in the Realm of Nachan Kan -- Appendix: A Comparison of Hocaba and Tases Ceramic -- Complexes at Mayapan.born digitalbooksengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.All rights reserved. User is responsible for compliance. Please contact University Press of Colorado at https://upcolorado.com/our-books/rights-and-permissions for use information.Laguna de On Site (Belize)Mayas -- Belize -- Orange Walk District -- AntiquitiesMaya pottery -- Belize -- Orange Walk DistrictMayas -- Mexico -- Chetumal (Province) -- Kings and rulersLand settlement patterns -- Belize -- Orange Walk DistrictOrange Walk District (Belize) -- AntiquitiesTextAccess is limited to the Adams State University, Colorado State University, Colorado State University Pueblo, Community College of Denver, Fort Lewis College, Metropolitan State University Denver, Regis University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, University of Wyoming, Utah State University and Western Colorado University communities only.