Aesthetic Logic

Joe Rohde

Thursday, February 27 - 6:00-7:00pm

This lecture explores the complex interplay between primary resources, aesthetic logic, and stylistic imperatives in the reconstruction of ancient cultures. It argues that by carefully analyzing the materials, techniques, and artistic conventions employed in surviving artifacts, we can make informed inferences about the broader cultural context and the likely appearance of objects that have not been directly preserved.

The lecture will begin by discussing the concept of extrapolation from primary resource clues. It will illustrate this concept with examples from Pompeii and Maya civilization, demonstrating how the presence of a plate glass window in a bathhouse or a transparent blue gown worn by a Maya woman can provide insights into the likely appearance of other related objects, such as windows in Hadrian's palace or the attire of the royal queen consort.

The lecture will then delve into the importance of cohesion in narrative art. It will explain how the level of finish on one object can imply the level of finish on others in a related suite, and how the difficulty of a medium can affect the degree of detail preserved in a representation.

Finally, the lecture will address the challenges posed by stylistic imperatives. It will highlight how art styles are designed to be self-consistent and how this can sometimes conflict with photographic realism. By comparing the Codex style Maya vases to the representation of costume in the Dresden Codex, the lecture will demonstrate how different stylistic imperatives can limit the extent to which we can directly extrapolate from one resource to another.

In conclusion, this lecture will offer a framework for understanding how aesthetic logic and stylistic imperatives can be used to reconstruct ancient cultures from the limited evidence provided by primary resources. By carefully considering these factors, we can develop a more nuanced and accurate picture of the past.

A Historical Path of Discovery and Understanding of the Ancient Maya

Michael Callaghan

Friday, February 28 - 9:30-10:30am

In this presentation we’ll explore ancestral Maya complex society, focusing on its geographic diversity, historical periods, and the development of archaeological research. We’ll begin by defining the Maya area, which encompasses parts of present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador, highlighting key sub-regions such as the Southern and Northern Lowlands, the Highland areas, and the Pacific Coast. Next, we’ll outline the major temporal periods of Maya history, from the Preclassic to the Postclassic, emphasizing key cultural shifts, political structures, and technological advancements. We’ll briefly review the history of archaeological research, including early explorations in the 19th century to contemporary methods and discoveries. Attention will be given to the techniques used in contemporary archaeology, including remote sensing, excavation, and artifact analytical techniques, alongside changing theoretical frameworks. The goal of the presentation is to provide foundational knowledge of Maya archaeology to those new to the discipline and familiarize all conference participants with terms, definitions, and historical contexts that will be referenced throughout the conference.

Overview of the Ancient Maya

Friday, February 28 - 10:00am-12:00pm

This portion of the program will provide participants with a foundational introduction to Maya Landscape, Worldview, Religion, Mythology, and Material Culture.

Sites, Exhibits, and Set Design

Friday, February 28 - 1:00-3:00pm

This portion of the program will focus on the interpretations of Maya sites from the observations unearthed by archaeologists. Archaeologists are expected to interpret their discoveries for site visitors to enjoy but how does this story morph from the site to the museum or the storyboard?

Artifacts and Objects

Saturday, March 1 - 9:00am-12:00pm

This portion of the program will focus on the material culture of the Maya, more specifically the artifacts and features central to the Maya way of life. Like all cultures, the Maya can be understood by their material culture. These objects will be presented and discussed from varied perspectives.

Art and Iconography

Saturday, March 1 - 1:00-3:00pm

This portion of the program will focus on the highly ornate and symbolic art and iconography of the ancient Maya. Our diverse team of participants will share unique perspectives on the evolving understanding of the Maya’s awe-inspiring work of expression and communication.

The Maize God and the Deer People: Introduction to Ancient Mayan Hieroglyphics

Marc Zender - Tulane University

Sunday, March 2 - 9:00am-12:00pm

This workshop explores the considerable evidence for a Maya myth concerning an aged god of the mountains (Huk Xib or Wuk Sip) whose wife runs away with the young Maize God (Juun Ixiim), eventually becoming the mother of the famous Hero Twins, Juunajaw and Yaxbaluun. As we will see, episodes from this ancient story are reflected not only in Classic Maya art and writing - the focus of this workshop - but also in colonial and modern Maya myths, both oral and written, including the famous K’iche’ Popol Vuh itself.

This portion of the program will be an opportunity for our participants to gain a fundamental understanding of the ancient Mayan writing system and put their skills into practice. Although Marc Zender is among the foremost authorities on Mayan hieroglyphic writing, his teaching style makes learning this beautiful system easy to learn, regardless of your background.