Patterns of Refuse Disposal in Maya City

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Introduction

As an archaeologist, I am interested in the variety in subsistence practices and economic production of households at Tikal, Mexico's Classical Maya city. My research relies heavily on Hayden and Cannon's knowledge trash disposal in the Maya Highlands.

Environment and Culture

"Cultures interact not only with one another, but also with the environment," write Renfrew and Bahn.

Waste Disposal in Maya Highlands

(RB 2016: 70). The rules of waste disposal in the Maya Highlands guide the archaeologist to sites where specific information on subsistence practices and economic production of people in that region can be found. Households in the Maya Highlands dispose of refuse in a specific structure, depending on their needs and the nature of the refuse. It is sorted out and dumped separately, either within the compounds or farther away from the houses. This information is relevant in that it makes it easier to single out types of refuse, and also in comparing waste from different houses.

Patterns of Refuse Disposal

Convenience determines patterns of refuse disposal. Refuse that is considered to have little value is dumped nearby in a casual manner. This includes organic remains and house sweepings, which are dumped near the gardens to be used as manure. Inorganic refuse goes through many stages of discard. Items may be kept under the beds, along with the hedge of the fence then moved to sites where such items from other households are accumulated. The final discarding can be done by disposing them in pits. The higher the value of the waste items, the longer it takes for them to be entirely discarded (Hayden & Cannon). Examples of this waste include machetes, axes, and ritual food preparation vessels. In the Maya area, the use of pits for disposal of large hindrance potential refuse was uncommon, unlike in other communities.

Quantification Techniques at the Household Level

It is essential to consider the quantification techniques used in comparing artifacts at the household level. Hayden and Cannon's research found that Maya houses are single-roomed and have earthen floors. Most of the daily activities happen in the houses, around the hearth. Most house refuse is considered of low hindrance potential, and are therefore disposed of in the garden or the "toft", meaning a place within the compound. The houses were swept daily. Outdoor work was done in the patio area, which was not cleaned as frequently and as neatly as the houses. The primary refuse sites will mostly have the tiny pieces and fragments of valuable items. These items will mainly also be found around the hearth, which is the place where much house activities are done, and around the patios, where daily activities take place.

Human Behavior and Refuse Disposal

Human behavior is important in understanding the patterns of refuse disposal. According to Cannon and Hayden (1983), a number of activities taking place in the compound, the size of the compound and the nearness to and convenience of dumping locations determines the behaviors of discarding refuse. The Maya villages portrayed a culture whereby ceramics were locally manufactured, and a number of stone tools are used along with metal tools that are imported. Much of the house structures tools and technologies used are similar to those used in the prehistoric times. When families move to another place, both organic and organic refuse will be left in the house and also around the compound that may be valuable to archaeological study.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my work as an archaeologist will be more efficient through the use of the existing analysis of trash deposits and patterns of disposal in the community. I would focus more on the toft area in households and common refuse areas in the neighborhood since it would not only be economical but also have a higher probability of finding valuable archaeological evidence.

Works Cited

Hayden, Brian, Aubrey Cannon: “Where the Garbage goes: Refuse Disposal in the Maya Highlands.” (1983) Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 2: 117-163.

Renfrew, Colin, and Paul Bahn. Archaeology. 7TH Edition. Thames &Hudson, New York: N.P, 2016. Print.

Work Cited

Willis, Mickie. “What makes “Good Music” good”? The Unconservatory (2006): n. page, Web. 18 Oct. 2017.

March 17, 2023
Category:

Science Life Education

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Hobby Learning

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3

Number of words

680

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