Joseph C. Miller Lecture by Alexander Geurds

Archaeological views onto the later pre-Columbian past of southern Central America –roughly defined as including Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, but also merging into Colombia – have struggled to connect with more generalized understandings of early leadership, including prevalent models from neighbouring Mesoamerica. Various studies argue for chiefly authority in the area, while others emphasize more heterarchical, collective forms of leadership. A central tenet across these debates often is the role of gifting and the movement of prestige items. Regarding asymmetrical dependency, case material resides in the presence of large public works, prominently including the creation and maintenance of ceremonial centres across the area and various other expressions of group effort, for example, the sculpting of stone statuary. A significant portion of sculptures also alludes to practices of raiding, head-hunting, &
bodily submission.