Technologies of urbanism in Mesoamerica: the pre-Columbian bridges of Cotzumalhuapa, Guatemala

Despite the high degree of technological sophistication visible in other aspects of urban engineering, the archaeology of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica has revealed curiously few examples of bridges or formal, permanent water-crossing structures. The ancient city of Cotzumalhuapa, where at least five su...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antiquity 2018-04, Vol.92 (362), p.456-471
Main Author: Mazariegos, Oswaldo Chinchilla
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
16th century
Analysis
Ancient cities
Anthropological research
Archaeology
Bridges
Bridges (Structures)
Cities
Creeks & streams
Design and construction
Engineering
Excavation
Masonry
Mobility
Rivers
Seasons
Sophistication
Tolls
Urban planning
Urbanism
Urbanization
Walkways
Water
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Summary:Despite the high degree of technological sophistication visible in other aspects of urban engineering, the archaeology of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica has revealed curiously few examples of bridges or formal, permanent water-crossing structures. The ancient city of Cotzumalhuapa, where at least five such structures have been identified, is a notable exception. The author reviews the archaeological and historical evidence for these bridges, and reflects upon the diversity of engineering technologies that they reveal. Although it remains unclear why bridges are absent at many other contemporaneous sites, these examples offer a fascinating glimpse into the urban planning of structured mobility in Mesoamerica.
ISSN:0003-598X
1745-1744
DOI:10.15184/aqy.2017.228