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8 Maya Polychrome Vessels as Inalienable Possessions
Author(s) -
Callaghan Michael G.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
archeological papers of the american anthropological association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.783
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1551-8248
pISSN - 1551-823X
DOI - 10.1111/apaa.12019
Subject(s) - prestige , polychrome , period (music) , maya , hierarchy , value (mathematics) , history , art , archaeology , aesthetics , political science , law , philosophy , computer science , linguistics , machine learning
During the Late Classic period in the Maya Lowlands (C.E. 650–800), polychrome serving vessels were produced and circulated in restricted exchange systems. The production and circulation of these vessels has traditionally been understood in terms of prestige good economy. In this chapter, I use Annette Weiner's concept of inalienable possessions to extend analysis of Late Classic–period polychromes beyond the tenets of prestige goods to: (1) discuss how value came to be embedded in specific polychrome vessels; (2) identify previously overlooked ceramic social valuables; and (3) discuss how these vessels were used to simultaneously promote social hierarchy and integrate communities.