CLOTH PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC INTENSIFICATION IN THE AREA SURROUNDING CHICHEN ITZA

Recent investigations at the sue of Xuenkal on the plains north of Cluchen Itzei provide evidence of the changing regional political environment during the livininal Classu" Period (A D 900-1000) This paper esanunes a collection of spindle whorls recovered during the 2005, 2006, and 2007 field seasons of the Pro.secta Arqueologwo Xuenkal (PAX) as evidence for intensification of craft production Through this anals.sis mid comparison with spindle whorl collections from other Lowland Map: sites. we suggest the inhabitants of Xuenkal rapidly adapted to changing economic demands by increasing the amount of cloth produced in their residential settings, perhaps in response to increased tribute demands that emanated from the dominant political power of the region Spinning and weaving is associated with the.female gender during the Classic Period in Mesoamenca Thus, intensification of this gendered activa not onls prodiu ed evcess materials for the state, but also reinforced as gender ideology Analysis of these artifacts adds to the knowledge of Maya cloth productum and addresses the minor of Cluclu,n ltals influence on regional sites during the height of its mfliwnce in the Terminal Classic period