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The weight of ritual: Classic Maya jade head pendants in the round

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2018

Christina T. Halperin ,
Zachary X. Hruby  and
Ryan Mongelluzzo
Christina T. Halperin*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Université de Montréal, 3150 Jean-Brillant, Montréal, QC H3T 1N8, Canada
Zachary X. Hruby
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Philosophy, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, USA
Ryan Mongelluzzo
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, San Diego Mesa College, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, CA 92111-4998, USA
*
*Author for correspondence (Email: christina.halperin@umontreal.ca)
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Abstract

A newly discovered jade head pendant from the Guatemalan site of Ucanal illuminates a rarely considered element of Classic Maya royal ceremonies: weight. The largest and probably the heaviest of its kind, this pendant is a rare example of Classic Maya belt ornaments. Finely carved jade ornaments symbolised the prestige and wealth of elite officials, but were also metaphors for the weighty burdens of office. This paper considers the phenomenological role of jade jewellery, which would have encumbered Maya royalty greatly during public ceremonies. While such a perspective underscores the ritual work of elites, an analytical focus on weight also highlights the anonymous people who carried burdens.

Keywords

GuatemalaUcanalClassic Mayaweightjadephenomenology
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 92 , Issue 363 , June 2018 , pp. 758 - 771
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2018 

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