The Distribution of Vaulted Architecture at Dzibilchaultun, Yucatan, México

Resumen

This presentation compares the distribution of vaulted buildings, constructed during the two consecutive "late Classic" (Early Period I and Pure Florescent) phases at the northern lowland Maya archaeological site of Dzibilchaltun, Yucatan, Mexico. The results of this comparison show that the vaulted architecture of the firs phase is far less concentrated in space than that of the second phase. More construction took place away from the center of the site during the three century durantion of the first phase of the late Classic than during the two or three centuries of the second phase. Two interpretations of the contrast are offered: 1) if energy expended in vaulted construction is considered a measure of wealth, the contrast would indicate increased concentration of wealth in space through time. This suggests a greater emphasis on stratification during the late Classic. 2) If the amount of construction at any location is considered a measure of the importance of that place, the concentration of vaulted building construction through time may reflect increased importance of a central place. One would expect such a phenomenon to be characteristic of an accelerated trend towards urbanization.