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1998 and 1999 Seasons Report The 1998 and 1999 Seasons of the Chan Chich Archaeological Project edited by Brett A. Houk Chan Chich Archaeological Project Papers of the Chan Chich Archaeological Project, Number 4 Mesoamerican Archaeological Research Laboratory The University of Texas • Austin, Texas CCCCAAPP 2000 Chan Chich, Belize - Central America The 1998 and 1999 Seasons of the Chan Chich Archaeological Project Edited by Brett A. Houk MARL 2000 The 1998 and 1999 Seasons of the Chan Chich Archaeological Project edited by Brett A. Houk with contributions by Owen Ford Rigden Glaab Ellie Harrison Kristen Hartnett Brett A. Houk Jennifer R. Jellen David McDow Richard K. Meadows Alexandra Miller Hubert R. Robichaux Amy E. Rush Fred Valdez, Jr. and Jennifer Vander Galien Chan Chich Archaeological Project Papers of the Chan Chich Archaeological Project, Number 4 Mesoamerican Archaeological Research Laboratory The University of Texas • Austin, Texas CCCCAAPP 2000 Chan Chich, Belize - Central America Contents Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................... ii An Introduction to the 1998 and 1999 Seasons Brett A. Houk ...................................................................................................................... 1 Archaeological Excavations at Group H: Investigating Craft Production and Domestic Architecture at Chan Chich, Belize Richard K. Meadows, with contributions by Kristen M. Hartnett .................................... 15 1998 Excavations at the Western Groups Owen Ford and Amy E. Rush ........................................................................................... 41 Preliminary Report on the 1998 Excavations on the Upper Plaza Hubert R. Robichaux, Jennifer Jellen, Alexandra Miller, & Jennifer Vander Galien ...... 49 Looking Down on the Public: The 1999 Excavations on the Upper Plaza Hubert R. Robichaux ........................................................................................................ 57 Structure C-6: Excavation of an Elite Compound Ellie Harrison ................................................................................................................... 71 Preliminary Assessment of Looted Structures in the Upper Plaza Jennifer R. Jellen .............................................................................................................. 95 Excavations at the Temple of the Jaguar Skull Brett A. Houk .................................................................................................................. 101 Analysis of Stone Tools from Chan Chich David A. McDow ............................................................................................................ 105 Ground Stone Artifacts from Chan Chich Rigden Glaab and Fred Valdez, Jr. ................................................................................. 119 The Chan Chich Ceramic Complexes Fred Valdez, Jr. and Brett A. Houk ................................................................................. 127 Life, the Universe, and Everything: Re-evaluating Problematic Deposit 2 from Dos Hombres, Belize Brett A. Houk .................................................................................................................. 141 Chan Chich in Context Brett A. Houk .................................................................................................................. 151 Appendix A: Column Samples from Group H .......................................................................... 169 Appendix B: Debitage Data from Group H ............................................................................... 173 Appendix C: Lithic Artifacts ..................................................................................................... 185 i Acknowledgments The 1998 and 1999 seasons of the Chan Chich Ar- viduals from Blue Creek, Lamanai, and the Programme chaeological Project and the completion of this report for Belize stopped by to see us (or was it to use the would not have been possible without the generous swimming pool?). Dr. Fred Valdez gave guest lec- support of numerous individuals. First of all, our ex- tures on ceramics in 1998 and 1999, and one day I’ll cavations could not have taken place without the per- write it down so that he can stop doing that. Other mission of the Department of Archaeology (DOA), notable guests included Jon Lohse and his parents, Jon Government of Belize. In 1998, Mr. John Morris was Hageman and his harem, Paul Hughbanks and his the Archaeological Commissioner. His input and as- mom, Lauren Sullivan, Hugh Robichaux’s daughters sistance are greatly appreciated. In 1999, Mr. Allan and husbands, and Hugh’s fiancée (now wife). I man- Moore (now Dr. Moore), was the Archaeological Com- aged to convince Kevin Miller (from my real job) and missioner. His interest in our project’s research was his fiancée to join us for a few days in 1999. Kevin encouraging, and we are grateful for his support. As even got dirty, assisting me with the excavations at always, the staff of the DOA, including Mr. Brian Structure A-11. Thanks go to both of them for their Woodye, Mr. Paul Francisco, and Ms. Carmen Blanco, interest in the project. Jack and Jeanne Brush are al- checked on our progress and assisted us with the per- ways a pleasure to work with, and they assisted us in mitting process, submission of artifacts, and exporta- 1998 and 1999. Karis Koester returned to help us for tion of samples. one week 1998, as well, and her continued interest in the project is appreciated. In 1998, we shared the lodge The landowner, Mr. Barry Bowen, granted us permis- with a group of biology students from Canada. Thanks sion to conduct our research on his property. The se- to them and their directors for making our time in Be- nior staff at Chan Chich Lodge, including Tom and lize more enjoyable. Special thanks go to Drs. Bill Josie Harding, and Norman Evanko, made our stay Eaton, Matt Hoch, and Ed Van Zinderern Bakker for possible. The fine staff in the kitchen, led by Chap their interest and comradeship. To those whom I’ve Ross in 1999, kept us fed and happy. Special thanks left out, I apologize. are due to Chap for his lecture in 1999 on Precolumbian cuisine, complete with a specially prepared feast. The I would also like to thank Kevin Miller and SWCA, rest of the staff of the lodge, as always, was support- Inc. for allowing me time away from Texas archaeol- ive of our efforts. We are grateful for their friendship. ogy to live my other life in Belize in 1999. In 1998, I was on the run from my job at the Center for Archaeo- Moral and monetary support came from John and Alex logical Research at The University of Texas at San Miller. Our fine vehicle, the Thunder Lizard, was one Antonio during the summer field season. Thanks to of their contributions to our project in 1998. Other the staff of that institution for allowing me take a leave individuals who provided support included Mr. Greg of absence to conduct my research. Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bixby, Dr. Richard Foley, Mr. John Badal, Ms. Karis Koester, and (long-time I greatly appreciate the opportunity that Dr. John friend of our research) Dr. Bruce Wood. In 1998, we Donahue at Trinity University affording me by allow- had a generous grant from the Foundation for the Ad- ing me to teach field schools for Trinity in 1997, 1998, vancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc. and 1999. I only wish I could have landed the real job there to continue the project for Trinity. We have always enjoyed a close relationship with the other research projects in the area, and numerous indi- ii The most important people on the project were the fine To the contributors to this volume go my deepest staff. Dr. Hugh Robichaux has acted as mentor, sup- thanks. The individuals who wrote chapters for this porter, enforcer, and field director since 1996. I am report did so on their own time and without payment. extremely grateful for his help. In 1998, Audra Pineda The accumulated reports represent a great deal of time agreed to be our lab director and did a fantastic job and sacrifice. Thank you for your devotion to Maya establishing the system we have now. The 1998 field archaeology and your support. This volume is dedi- staff, always entertaining and usually professional, did cated to you, the authors: Richard Meadows, Kristen the brunt of the work for me. They included Richard Hartnett, Hugh Robichaux, Jennifer Jellen, Jennifer Meadows, Owen Ford, Jennifer Jellen, and Amy Rush. Vander Galien, Alexandra Miller, Ellie Harrison, Owen Jennifer Vander Galien, Kristen Hartnett, and Andrea Ford, Amy Rush, Rigden Glaab, David McDow, and Betzold returned in 1998 after getting the bug in their Fred Valdez, Jr. systems in 1997. We are glad they came back to work with us. Jennifer even brought her dad for a visit in The publication of this report was made possible by 1998. Kristen Hartnett visited us in 1999 for a few support from the Mesoamerican Archaeological days with the Millers. In 1999, the staff included Research Laboratory at The University of Texas at Leanne Romanchuk as lab director. She did a great Austin. job and upheld the high standards set by Audra in 1998. Ellie Harrison, who visited briefly in 1998, joined us Brett A. Houk, May 2000 an Operation Director in 1999 and did an incredible job with Structure C-6 and the students. Various members of the Programme for Belize Ar- chaeological Project contributed analysis, drawings, and photographs to this report.
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