Plan de Ayutla (Maya Site)

Plan de Ayutla

Structure in the North Acropolis
Location Nueva Palestina, Chiapas,  Mexico
Region Chiapas
History
Founded Early Classic
Abandoned 1100 CE
Periods 50 CE to 1100 CE
Cultures Maya
Site notes
Excavation dates 2003-2012
Archaeologists Luis Alberto Martos López
Architecture
Architectural styles Early to Late Classic Maya

Restored by INAH (2008-2012)

Responsible body: INAH

Plan de Ayutla is an archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It is located in the municipality of Ocosingo of the Mexican state of Chiapas. The ruins are notable for having the earliest urban remains in the Upper Usumacinta region, as well as a unique ancient theater for elite use. The ancient identity of the site is subject to debate.

Etymology

The modern name comes from a nearby Tzeltal community, itself named after the Plan de Ayutla.[1] Archaeologists consider Plan de Ayutla as a very strong candidate for the ancient site of Sak Tz'i', which means "White Dog".[2] Alternatively, the site could be the ancient Ak'e, which means "Turtle".[3]

Location

A map of the Upper Usumacinta Maya polities with Comalcalco Bolded

Plan de Ayutla is in the Upper Usumacinta area, about 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) from the small community of the same name as the site. It is in a mountainous area of the Lacandon Jungle known as the Sierra de Jalapa. The site is part of the municipality of Ocosingo, State of Chiapas in southeast Mexico, close to the border with Guatemala. It is about 35 kilometres (22 mi) northwest of the Bonampak.[4]

Identity of the Site

Archaeologists consider that Plan de Ayutla may be one of two ancient sites known from inscriptions found elsewhere: Ak'e or Sak Tz'i'. So far, no conclusive evidence has been found as to the identity of the site.

The case for Sak Tz'i' is considered stronger by the archaeologist in charge (as of 2013) of the site, Luis Alberto Martos López. He notes that ancient Sak Tz'i' was involved in wars with Yaxchilan, Bonampak-Lacanha, Tonina and Piedras Negras. Plan de Ayutla is in a location that is between all these sites. Martos also posits that the last inscription from the region dates from 854 and mentions Sak Tz'i' at a time when there is still evidence of occupation and construction at Plan de Ayutla. Finally, on some looted panels recovered from the region, a lord of Sak Tz'i' is styled a "Ballplayer." This title would especially make sense if Sak Tz'i' was indeed Plan de Ayutla, since it is the site of the largest ballcourt in the region (see below).[5]

Sak Tz'i' had important ties to Piedras Negras at several points in its history. Plan de Ayutla's North Acropolis is very similar to the Grand Acropolis of Piedras Negras, which could be an indicator of an important link between the two sites.[6]

The case for Ak'e takes into account that the identification of Ak'e as the exclusive emblem glyph Bonampak is problematic, and that the ruling dynasty of this city may have come from elsewhere - perhaps Plan de Ayutla - before installing itself at Bonampak.[7] This would explain why Plan de Ayala also shares important architectural features with Tonina, overlord of Bonampak, such as the layout of the ballcourt, column shaped altars and roof ornaments on Structure 13.[2]

Against this theory, archaeologists note that Plan de Ayutla's double-gallery buildings are similar to those of nearby Ojo de Agua and Nuevo Jalisco, and dissimilar to those of Bonampak and its neighbor, Lacanha. These differences may indicate different political entities.[8]

History

The first architectural evidence at the site dates from ca. 150 B.C.E., but evidence of an urban settlement appears sometime after ca. 50 B.C.E[2] The discovery of an ancient residential complex dating from somewhere between 50 B.C.E. and 50 C.E. makes Plan de Ayutla the earliest occupied city in the Upper Usumacinta region so far.[9]

If Plan de Ayutla was indeed Sak Tz'i', its history is tied to the political turmoil that was particularly intense in the region between 600 and 800 C.E. A stela from Piedras Negras depicts the capture of Lord K'ab' Chan Te' of Sak Tz'i' in 628. Epigraphy around these events is not conclusive. One hypothesis argues for the survival of K'ab' Chan Te' as a vassal of Piedras Negras who then aids his new overlord against Bonampak and La Mar in 641. Another theory has K'ab' Chan Te' surviving but then retaliating against Piedras Negras, Bonampak and La Mar, defeating at least the latter two sites. To make matters more complicated, the K'ab' Chan Te' mentioned 641 may be another ruler of the same name, since K'ab' Chan Te' is a recurring name among Sak Tz'i rulers. In any case, either as a vassal or an opponent of Piedras Negras, Sak Tz'i' ruled a polity extending from at least La Mar to Bonampak in the seventh century.[10]

Aj Sak Maax was the ruler of Sak Tz'i' from the 750s and at least until 772. During his reign, the site of El Cayo appears to be subordinate to both Sak Tz'i' and Piedras Negras. This would place Sak Tz'i' as either an ally or a vassal of Piedras Negras that in turn was lord of El Cayo.[11]

Aj Sak Maax was no longer king in 787 when Yete' K'inich of Sak Tz'i' had two of his lords captured in what appears to have been a rebellion by its former vassal Bonampak with assistance from Yaxchilan. These are the events that are commemorated at the famous murals of Bonampak.[12] At some point after 789, Tonina attacked Jats' Tokal Ek' Hiix, then ruler of Sak Tz'i'.[13]

Evidence of fine paste ceramics appears at Plan de Ayutla during the last phase of construction around 800-850 AD. These ceramics are associated with Chontal.[9] Around 850 C.E. Plan de Ayutla seems to have been governed by a multepal or ruling council, as was happening in other cities at the time. The destruction of the likely seat of this government may indicate the attempts of a new ruling dynasty to come to power.[14] The last inscription from the region mentions a vassal of yet another K'ab' Chan Te' of Sak Tz'i' in 864.[13] The new dynasty must have failed, and the city was abandoned violently between 1000 and 1100 C.E.[14]

Rulers of Sak Tz'i'[15]

Name Dates
U K'ab' c. 564
K'ab Chan Te' Ic. 594–641
K'ab Chan Te' II? c.653–693
Aj Sak Maax c.754–772
Yeht' K'inich c. 787
Jats' Tokal Ek' Hiixc.796?
K'ab' Chan Te' IIIc. 864

Modern History

The site has been known to the Lacandon people for some time. After hearing reports of the site, archaeologist Peter Schmidt was guided by them to Plan the Ayutla. He published the first report of the site in 1975. The site lay ignored by archaeologists until Alejandro Tovalin of the Bonampak project made a new visit in 1994. In 2001 the local community began clearing the jungle around the site hoping to make it attractive to tourists and requested a visit by archaeologists. This led to another visit and eventually to formal excavations starting in 2003 under Luis Alberto Martos López.[4] Tovalín had only reported on the North Acropolis, but in 2004 Martos realized that it was only one of three.[6]

Restoration work began in 2008 and has focused on the North Acropolis and the Ballcourt, with the aim of opening the site to the public in 2012.[16]

Site Description

The extent of the site is no more than 24 hectares (0.093 sq mi), however, the core is only a third of that.[17] 72 buildings are spread out throughout the site. The core of the site was built around three natural hills that were built up into three acropolises. The intervening spaces between and around them became three main plazas, used for civic and religious activities.[16] These three plazas can be subdivides into seven smaller ones. The better preserved buildings are on the acropolises, while the plazas are surrounded by mounds of rubble and dirt.[18]

The architecture shares affinities with other sites such as Yaxchilan, Palenque, Lacanha and Bonampak but nevertheless also has unique elements. The key example of these is Structure 13 on the North Acropolis (see below).[16]

The site was subjected to heavy looting, which damaged many of the structures. All stelae have been removed and the lack of inscriptions of the site is notable.[17]

The West Plaza[18]

This plaza is divided into two by two steps and a rectangular building.

The Central and East Plazas

A large plaza occupies the center of the site, with two separate spaces named in Tzeltal: Alan (Lower) and Muku'l (Great). Muku'l occupies the space between North and East Acropolises. South of Plaza Alan are Plazas Tut (Small) and Beja' (of the Arroyo or stream). The latter is named after a ravine that crosses it. Plaza Tonna' (of the Stone Houses) extends northeast from Plaza Muku'l and has four residential complexes around it.[19]

The North Acropolis

The North Acropolis is a Maya Palace, a complex that includes elite dwellings, temples and spaces for meetings.[16] It was built around a natural hill that was modified to accommodate the structures. The hill measures 45 metres (148 ft) in height, and at least 19 structures were built on it. On the north side, a series of four structures on rising terraces makes the acropolis similar to that of Piedras Negras. The presence of fine-paste ceramics and other items on the complex indicates that it was occupied through the Late Classic.[20]

In 2012, a theater dating from the Terminal Classic (ca. 800-900 C.E.) was discovered here. A patio surrounded by buildings dating from 250-500 C.E. was customised to make way for three wide bleachers. The external wall of another structure was demolished to make way for a stage. Judging by its size and location, it was intended for a select group of 120 people at most. The theater may have been part of a program to legitimise a new dynasty at Plan de Ayutla that seems to have come to power around 850 C.E.[14] At the same structure, a bath for a member of the elite was discovered, complete with a drainage system. It is one of only four discovered in Mexico that date from pre-Hispanic times (the others being at Palenque, Tonina and Teotihuacan). Ceramics used to hold water for the bath were discovered in an adjoining room.[17]

Also, in 2011, the remains of an earlier patio surrounded by residential structures were discovered under later buildings of the acropolis, dating from between 50 B.C.E. and 50 C.E. These kind of constructions have not been found at other sites in the region until ca. 250 C.E. The structures have rounded corners, a feature of early Maya architecture. Most of the buildings had their upper parts torn down and used to fill the earlier structure with rubble in order to build the more recent structures.[9]

Structure 13. Structure 1 is visible in the background. Note the roof decoration.

The East Acropolis

Also built on an adapted natural hill, the acropolis consists of four buildings around a central plaza. Archaeologists suspect that a staircase once descended to the southeast, towards Plaza Tut. A burial has been found at the foot of this possible stairway, with the presence of fine paste ceramics that associate it with the Late Classic.[23] The exact nature of this complex has not been determined, but the massive Structure 58 suggests residential use, while a looted tomb suggests funerary use.[16]

The West Acropolis

The tallest acropolis was built into a ridge that extends from the southwest, and that is 65 metres (213 ft) tall at the site of the ruins.[24] The small spaces here lead archaeologists to believe it was for the use of a select elite, while the nature of the structures indicate religious use.[16]

Notes

  1. ↑ Martos López 2009, p.61
  2. 1 2 3 Bonampak lineage may have come from Plan de Ayutla
  3. ↑ ZA Plan de Ayutla
  4. 1 2 Martos López 2009, pp.61, 63
  5. ↑ Martos Lopez 2009, pp.73-74
  6. 1 2 3 Skidmore 2004
  7. ↑ Martos López 2009, p. 73
  8. ↑ Ortiz Villareal and Tovalín Ahumada 1997, p.367
  9. 1 2 3 4 Descubren restos
  10. ↑ Biró 2005, pp.2-8
  11. ↑ Biró 2005, pp. 19,23-24
  12. ↑ Biró 2005, p.26
  13. 1 2 Biró 2005, pp. 27-30
  14. 1 2 3 4 Encuentran Antiguo Teatro
  15. ↑ Biro 2005, p.31
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Avanza Trabajo en Plan de Ayutla
  17. 1 2 3 Merari Guevara 2013
  18. 1 2 Martos López, p.65
  19. ↑ Martos López pp.65-66
  20. ↑ Martos López, pp.66-67, 70
  21. ↑ Martos López, p.67
  22. ↑ Martos López, pp.67-70
  23. 1 2 Martos López, p.70
  24. ↑ Martos López, pp.70-71
  25. 1 2 3 4 Martos López, p.71
  26. ↑ Martos Lopez, pp.71-73

References

Biró, Peter (2005). "Sak Tz'i' in the Classic Period Hieroglyphic Inscriptions." (PDF). Mesoweb. Retrieved 2012-05-13. 
Mexico. Instituto Nacional de Arqueología e Historia (August 31, 2010). "Avanza Trabajo en Plan de Ayutla" (Press release). Retrieved May 13, 2013. 
Mexico. Instituto Nacional de Arqueología e Historia (September 1, 2010). "Bonampak lineage may have come from Plan de Ayutla, Chiapas" (Press release). Retrieved May 9, 2013. 
Mexico. Instituto Nacional de Arqueología e Historia (August 31, 2011). "Descubren Restos de Milenario Palacio Maya" (Press release). Retrieved 2013-04-25. 
Mexico. Instituto Nacional de Arqueología e Historia (August 28, 2012). "Encuentran Antiguo Teatro en Ocosingo" (Press release). Retrieved 2012-04-25. 
Mexico. Instituto Nacional de Arqueología e Historia (January 25, 2010). "ZA Plan de Ayutla". Retrieved 2012-04-25. 
Martos López; Luis Alberto (2009). Charles Golden; Stephen Houston; Joel Skidmore, eds. "The Discovery of Plan de Ayutla, Mexico" (PDF). Maya Archaeology. San Francisco: Precolumbia Meso Press (1): 60–75. 
Merari Guevara, Luisa (March 7, 2013). "Los enigmas de una ciudad maya oculta en Chiapas". Red Española de Historia y Arqueología. Retrieved 2012-05-14. 
Ortiz Villareal, Victor Manuel; Alejandro Tovalín Ahumada (1998). "Extensión y Delimitación del Asentamiento Prehispánico de Bonampak, Chiapas". In Laporte, J.P.; Escobedo, H. XI Simposio de Investigaciones Arqueológicas en Guatemala, 1997 (PDF). Guatemala: Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología. pp. 362–374. 
Skidmore, Joell (2004-10). "Significant Maya Site of Plan de Ayutla". Mesoweb. Retrieved 2013-03-25.  Check date values in: |date= (help)
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Coordinates: 16°47′06″N 91°16′48″W / 16.7850°N 91.2799°W / 16.7850; -91.2799

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