The School for Advanced Research offers innovative and thought-provoking classes on a range of topics for SAR members and the general public. Courses often have opportunities to engage with rarely seen works in the IARC collection or take advantage of the unique resources the campus provides.
An Introduction to the Archaeology of Ancient Maya Civilization
Course Description:
How are recent archaeological studies exploring Pre-Columbian Maya civilization shaping our current understanding of the culture and history? Join Dr. Jeremy Sabloff in a 4-part course exploring the evolution of the field of Maya studies. From new discoveries unlocked through Maya hieroglyphic texts to developments in understanding the settlement patterns of urban centers, Maya archaeology has shifted archaeological studies away from their concentration on the ruling elites to a broader, more realistic approach that looks at all classes and populations, as well as continuities in cultural development over 2 millennia.
This course is presented in four parts:
November 5: An overview of the history of research on the Pre-Columbian Maya and the changing foci of scholars over the past century;
November 7: An exploration of the development of ancient Maya civilization in the lowlands of the Yucatan Peninsula, and the environment, both natural and cultural, within which it grew as well as a concentration on the Preclassic Period (from about 1,000 B.C. to A.D. 250) and the rise of complex societies in the Maya area and its first cities;
November 12: A look at the Classic (A.D. 250-800) and Terminal Classic (A.D. 800-1,000) Periods including the growth of Maya cities such as Tikal and Caracol, the great achievements in art and architecture, the decline of cities in the Southern Lowlands and the florescence in the north;
November 14: And, an exploration of the Postclassic Period (A.D. 1,000 to 1519) including the economic and political developments at cities such as Chichen Itza and Mayapan and the consequences of the 16th century Spanish Conquest.
Course Leader:
Jerry Sabloff
Jerry A. Sabloff
Jerry Sabloff received his Ph.D. In anthropology from Harvard University and his B.A. in anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania. He is the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania and an External Professor Emeritus and Past President of the Santa Fe Institute. He is an archaeologist with particular interest in the ancient Maya and has written or edited more than 20 books and monographs (including 4 SAR volumes).
Dates, Times, and Places:
Tuesday, November 5, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Dobkin Boardroom
Thursday, November 7, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Dobkin Boardroom
Tuesday, November 12, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Dobkin Boardroom
Thursday November 14, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Dobkin Boardroom
Cost: $200 for members; $250 for non-members
If you would like to become an SAR member and receive a discount to attend this class and other benefits, click here.
For more information about the class, contact Meredith Davidson davidson@sarsf.org or 505-954-7223.
Sabloff was recently interviewed about the importance of his work and shifts in the field by Knowable Magazine. Learn more and read the interview HERE.