Adriana María Linares Palma

ABSTRACT SUBMITTED: The project employed two approaches to examine the ancient cultural materiality of the Maya Ixil people. The archaeological approach studied published ceramic assemblages and documented collections at national and private museums in Guatemala City. The ceramic regional analysis identified a high presence of foreign materials and styles from the Maya lowlands in ceremonial centers during the Classic period (250-1000 CE). This was followed by an increment of foreign styles from the Maya highlands, especially in residential contexts during the Early Postclassic (1000-1250 CE). These ceramic findings correlate with the previously examined architectural configuration in San Juan Cotzal. A total of 304 ancient objects from the Ixil Region were documented at the museums. This data served as the basis for the epistemological portion of this research. This part aimed to understand community members’ relationship to their ancient material culture and to visualize the tensions and lessons arising from the intersection of archaeological and Maya Ixil knowledges. Some tensions identified included archaeological interpretations of ancient objects, extractivism, and the privatization of culture. Among the lessons highlighted during the conversations were the proper management of Ixil heritage and the respectful study of ancient pottery in accordance with Indigenous cultural rights.