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I.Yu. Demicheva (Nizhny Novgorod) – ‘‘From the Nuances of Description to the Description of Nuances’’: Features of the Recording of Terracotta Material of the 1st mill. ad in Reports on Archaeological Research at Mayan Sites

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Abstract

For the first time, the paper discusses the features of the fixation of terracotta material in the official documentation since the beginning of official archaeological surveys at the Mayan sites. Based on the analysis of about 300 archaeological reports, the periods of formation and development of the system of archaeological reports, as well as their specific features, are distinguished. 1) the end of 19th century to the 1920s. The documentation is at the initial stage of its registration. The European tradition has a great infl uence, which is positively perceived by American scholars who conducted research at the Mayan sites. The artistry of describing projects successfully coexists with accurate fixation of the material and often with diagrams. There is information about the places where the figurines are found. At the same time, the factor of authorship of the document and the leading organization is of great importance. 2) 1920–1970. In parallel, there are several forms of accounting documentation with varying degrees of detail of fixation and description of terracotta figurines. Photos of figurines are actively published. In some cases, terracotta is subjected to primary analysis. Regardless of the diff erences in the description of the nuances, by the end of the period, a certain general form of reports begins to take shape. 3) 1970–1990. Along with the active process of forming the legislative framework for the preservation of historical and cultural heritage monuments, the process of unification of the form of accounting documentation is underway. By the end of the period, the reports acquire a completely modern form with all the accompanying content. This makes it possible to identify the quantitative composition of the terracotta material of most field seasons at the main sites and determine the frequency of its occurrence. 4) 1990s to early 2000s. The final standard of the report. A number of studies are accompanied not only by inventories, but also by catalogues of individual finds, which include terracotta figurines. 5) 2010s to the present. The active use of the latest technologies and equipment, the availability of information from the sites of archaeological projects has significantly expanded the data of traditional archaeological reports. In addition to official paper reports, there is a process of forming much broader and informative electronic reports, which are usually available online and freely available.

Keywords

Maya, figurines, terracotta, archaeological reports, fixation of material.

Irina Yu. Demicheva

Nizhny Novgorod Institute of Management – branch of the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

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