The Early Classic Genesis of the Royal Maya Capital of Tamarindito

Polities require individuals who envision and materialize them; in turn, people's political identity as residents depends on them. The polity the resident are self-evident only hindsight, we discuss their co-constitution. During subjectification, people create submit to an authority. Our case study is Early Classic (AD 350–600) emergence of Tamarindito south-central Maya Lowlands (modern Guatemala). Petexbatun Regional Archaeological Project have extensively studied this capital Foliated Scroll polity. Although its divine rulers present themselves fully formed since time immemorial, how they built authority through self-serving narratives. originates Classic, late fourth or fifth century, selected a 70 m high hill seat. Plaza A's monumentality conceals small-scale labor effort slowly growing Only two non-elite households attached royal court during sixth centuries, suggesting that non-elites recognized slowly. formation was immanent process. Self-aggrandizing kings struggled claim authority, subjectified over several centuries.