Networks of power: political relations in the late postclassic Naco Valley, Honduras
Date
2011
Authors
Schortman, Edward, author
Urban, Patricia, author
University Press of Colorado, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Little is known about how Late Postclassic populations in southeast Mesoamerica organized their political relations. Networks of Power fills gaps in the knowledge of this little-studied area, reconstructing the course of political history in the Naco Valley from the fourteenth through early sixteenth centuries. Describing the material and behavioral patterns pertaining to the Late Postclassic period using components of three settlements in the Naco Valley of northwestern Honduras, the book focuses on how contests for power shaped political structures. Power-seeking individuals, including but not restricted to ruling elites, depended on network of allies to support their political objectives. Ongoing and partially successful competitions waged within networks led to the incorporation of exotic ideas and imported items into the daily practices of all Naco Valley occupants. The result was a fragile hierarchical structure forever vulnerable to the initiatives of agents operating on local and distant stages. Networks of Power describes who was involved in these competitions and in which network drew participated what resources were mustered within these webs, which projects were fueled by these assets and how, and to what extent, they contributed to the achievement of political aims.--Book jacket.
Description
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Rights Access
Access 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.
Subject
Mayas -- Honduras -- Naco Valley -- Kings and rulers
Mayas -- Honduras -- Naco Valley -- Politics and government
Mayas -- Honduras -- Naco Valley -- Antiquities
Power (Social sciences) -- Honduras -- Naco Valley
Elite (Social sciences) -- Honduras -- Naco Valley
Excavations (Archaeology) -- Honduras -- Naco Valley
Social archaeology -- Honduras -- Naco Valley
Naco Valley (Honduras) -- Antiquities