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A thread on the new findings at Tikal, re the likely Teotihuacan enclave south of the Mundo Perdido complex. The excavation work by @eroman378 is still ongoing, but offers the clearest evidence yet of elites from central Mexico living in the Peten over a few generations. 1/
Not first indication of a strong Teo presence in Maya lowlands. This was first seen in 1930s, in the ceramics of Uaxactun. Later excavations by UPenn at nearby Tikal made clear there was a very intense connection during Early Classic, reflected in art and material culture. 2/
These interactions have been debated in archaeology for decades, with pendulum swinging from a view of Teo’s direct political takeover of Tikal to one of more passive elite Maya emulation. Not an either/or situation, however. Both of these happened, depending on time & place. 3/
A new framing of the debate came from historical texts at Tikal and environs, deciphered over last 20 years. Prior to 200 it was moistly a question of how to interpret culture contact and "highland-lowland interaction." A materialist and economic focus, understandably. 4/
In 1998 I proposed a disruption of Tikal in 378 overseen by Teotihuacan ruler "Speathrower Owl" and his agent Sihyaj K’ahk’. Tikal’s ruler died upon SK’s arrival, and a year later SK installed SO’s young son as the new king. Other Peten rulers installed by SK in ensuing years. 5/
A conquest, but why? Hard to say. SO had become ruler at Teo in 374. Implies a quick strategy to meddle more directly with Maya affairs. Teo and Tikal had been closely tied politically and thru complex family relations. I suspect events of 378 were in part a family dispute. 6/
But it had long-lasting reverberations in Maya history overall, in Peten and beyond. Copan's dynasty was founded as a direct result of Teo's political machinations in the Maya world, for example. 7/
On a side note, I'm happy to be now signing a book contract with Dumbarton Oaks to publish my short study of Teotihuacan in Maya history, covering this evidence, the importance of Spearthrower Owl and his legacy. Almost done. fin/
