David Freidel

David Freidel is an American archaeologist and anthropologist known for his extensive work on the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. He is particularly recognized for his contributions to understanding Maya kingship, ideology, and the development of complex society in the Maya Lowlands.

Freidel's research has focused on the Classic Period Maya (c. 250-900 CE) and the formative processes that led to its emergence. He has directed archaeological projects at several major Maya sites, including Cerros in Belize, and Yaxuná and Cobá in Mexico. His work often emphasizes a holistic approach, combining archaeological excavation with epigraphic analysis (the study of hieroglyphic writing) and art historical interpretation.

One of Freidel's most influential theories, developed in collaboration with Linda Schele, is the "divine kingship" model of Maya political organization. This model posits that Maya rulers legitimized their power through a combination of inherited lineage, religious ritual, and the control of supernatural forces. They acted as intermediaries between the human and divine realms, ensuring cosmic order and agricultural fertility.

Freidel has published numerous books and articles on Maya archaeology, including "A Forest of Kings: The Untold Story of the Ancient Maya" (with Linda Schele), a widely read and influential work that popularized the decipherment of Maya hieroglyphs and their implications for understanding Maya history and culture. He has also contributed significantly to the study of Maya cosmology and the role of ideology in shaping Maya society.

He has held professorships at Southern Methodist University and Washington University in St. Louis and continues to be an active scholar in the field of Maya archaeology.