This introduction to the Special Section provides a summary of our current understanding of the first humans and the first Maya in these regions and presents seven articles that examine these critical periods from varied, intersecting perspectives. The Introduction begins with a brief history of early preceramic research (primarily in northern Belize) and provides a current chronology for the Paleoindian, Archaic, and Early Preclassic periods. The Paleoindian and Archaic (ca. 11,500–900 b.c.) periods are discussed in terms of the origins of the first peoples in these regions, lithic technology, subsistence, and early ritual. Next, a summary of archaeological evidence for the transition to the first villages (ca. 1200–800 b.c.) is provided, with examinations of a horticultural lifestyle, the earliest ceramics, increased socio-economic complexity, new ideology and ritual practices, and developing social inequality. Proto-Mayan and Mayan languages—their dating, origin, and early lexicon—are discussed in relation to the first Maya. Material culture and language are explored with regard to conceptions of Maya culture.

中文翻译：

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伯利兹和中玛雅低地的前陶瓷和早期陶瓷时期

特节的介绍总结了我们目前对这些地区第一批人类和第一批玛雅人的理解，并提出了七篇文章，从不同的交叉角度审视这些关键时期。引言以早期前陶瓷研究（主要在伯利兹北部）的简史开始，并提供了古印度、古代和早期前古典时期的当前年表。古印度和古代（约 11,500–900公元前) 时期是根据这些地区第一批民族的起源、石器技术、生存和早期仪式来讨论的。接下来，对过渡到第一个村庄（约 1200-800 年）的考古证据的总结公元前) 提供了对园艺生活方式、最早的陶瓷、增加的社会经济复杂性、新的意识形态和仪式实践以及发展中的社会不平等的检查。原始玛雅和玛雅语言——它们的年代、起源和早期词汇——都与第一个玛雅人有关。关于玛雅文化的概念探讨了物质文化和语言。