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Origins and spread of formal ceremonial complexes in the Olmec and Maya regions revealed by airborne lidar

Author

Listed:
  • Takeshi Inomata

    (University of Arizona)

  • Juan Carlos Fernandez-Diaz

    (University of Houston)

  • Daniela Triadan

    (University of Arizona)

  • Miguel García Mollinedo

    (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)

  • Flory Pinzón

    (Middle Usumacinta Archaeological Project)

  • Melina García Hernández

    (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)

  • Atasta Flores

    (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)

  • Ashley Sharpe

    (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)

  • Timothy Beach

    (University of Texas)

  • Gregory W. L. Hodgins

    (University of Arizona)

  • Juan Javier Durón Díaz

    (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI), Aguascalientes)

  • Antonio Guerra Luna

    (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI), Aguascalientes)

  • Luis Guerrero Chávez

    (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI), Aguascalientes)

  • María de Lourdes Hernández Jiménez

    (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Veracruz)

  • Manuel Moreno Díaz

    (Universidad para el Bienestar “Benito Juárez García”, Papantla de Olarte)

Abstract

City plans symbolizing cosmologies have long been recognized as a defining element of Mesoamerican civilizations. The origins of formal spatial configurations are thus the key to understanding early civilizations in the region. Assessment of this issue, however, has been hindered by the lack of systematic studies of site plans over broad areas. Here, we report the identification of 478 formal rectangular and square complexes, probably dating from 1,050 to 400 bc, through a lidar (laser imaging, detection and ranging) survey across the Olmec region and the western Maya lowlands. Our analysis of lidar data also revealed that the earlier Olmec centre of San Lorenzo had a central rectangular space, which possibly provided the spatial template for later sites. This format was probably formalized and spread after the decline of San Lorenzo through intensive interaction across various regions. These observations highlight the legacy of San Lorenzo and the critical role of inter-regional interaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Takeshi Inomata & Juan Carlos Fernandez-Diaz & Daniela Triadan & Miguel García Mollinedo & Flory Pinzón & Melina García Hernández & Atasta Flores & Ashley Sharpe & Timothy Beach & Gregory W. L. Hodgin, 2021. "Origins and spread of formal ceremonial complexes in the Olmec and Maya regions revealed by airborne lidar," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(11), pages 1487-1501, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:5:y:2021:i:11:d:10.1038_s41562-021-01218-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01218-1
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