The Lower Central American Influences on Honduran Polychromy

Summary

Traditionally, polychrome pottery from Late Classic and Early Postclassic Honduras has been considered as falling under or being subjected to the Mesoamerican sphere of influence, as well as showing certain Central Mexican affiliations. Yet, the Lower Central American connection has rarely been explored. This connection is nonetheless present as can be observed throughout the diversity of Honduran polychromy. In this paper, the influence of the Greater Nicoyan style on Honduran polychrome vessels and their iconography will be addressed. We will also discuss the spread of new ceramic trends through Honduras in the Early Postclassic. In this aspect, the Gulf of Fonseca appears to hold a prominent role as origin point for the distribution of ceramics, allowing southern influences into western Honduras and southern El Salvador. Comparisons with ceramic material from Greater Nicoya and El Salvador will be presented as possible indicators of these interregional ties. The proliferation of white slipped polychrome will be of particular interest.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Cerámica sin Fronteras: Defining Cultural Phenomena at the Intersection of Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua

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