Beschreibung:
<jats:p>In this paper, we present the results of our recent research
on the ancient causeways at the site of Chichen Itza, Yucatan.
We first discuss some of the field methods we employed to map
and facilitate the discovery of previously unrecorded causeways
at the site. We also consider the spatial patterning and chronology
of the Late and Terminal Classic periods causeway system at
Chichen Itza and make inferences about the functional significance
of linked terminal groups and the site-core. The Chichen Itza
causeway systems reveals two important moments of Chichen Itza
internal structure. During the Late Classic period, Chichen
Itza was a socially homogeneous community organized by a loose
and decentralized government. During the Terminal Classic period,
the causeway system mirrors a centrally governed hierarchically
organized community.</jats:p>