Evidence of Astronomical Considerations in Lowland Maya Regional Settlement Patterns

Abstract

Recent archaeological research in the Holmul region of northeast Guatemala suggests that the location of the site of K'o may have been established relative to the larger site of Holmul based on astronomical considerations. A variety of Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and visualization tools, including view-shed analysis, are used to evaluate the degree to which astronomical considerations may have influenced settlement patterns in the Holmul region. Furthermore, evidence of astronomical considerations in Holmul's regional settlement patterns is used to support an interpretation of a political affiliation between K'o and Holmul at the time of the establishment of K'o. (English) ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR; La investigaci n reciente en la regi n de Holmul en la parte noreste de Guatemala sugiere que la ubicaci n del sitio K'o con respecto a Holmul pudo basarse en consideraciones astron micas. En la investigaci n se utilizaron varias herramientas SIG, incluyendo el an lisis de l neas visuales (viewshed) para evaluar hasta qu grado las consideraciones astron micas ejercieron su influencia en los patrones de asentamiento de la regi n de Holmul. Adem s, la evidencia acerca de la importancia de los factores astron micos en el desarrollo de los patrones de asentamiento de la regi n de Holmul apoya las interpretaciones acerca de las relaciones pol ticas entre K'o y Holmul durante el tiempo de desarrollo de K'o. (Spanish) ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR; Copyright of Archaeoastronomy is the property of University of Texas Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)