Monumentality in the Middle Preclassic: The Beginnings of Public Ceremonialism at Pacbitun, Belize

Summary

In the Middle Preclassic (900-300 BC), physical evidence of the increasing complexity of Maya society can be found in the form of monumental public architecture. However, the origins of temple building are poorly understood during this time period, especially in the Belize Valley. At the site of Pacbitun we have been exploring the initial purpose of public architecture as constructions to bring likeminded communities together for ritual, ceremonial, and/or social functions. Archaeological investigations by the Pacbitun Regional Archaeological Project (PRAP) have recently unearthed a large, radial pyramid (dubbed El Quemado) buried beneath Plaza A in the site center. El Quemado is very reminiscent of Str. E-VII-Sub at Uaxactun and our excavation of this sub-plaza temple may shed new light on the beginnings of public ceremonialism as well as on the foundation, nature, and development of the site’s early social and political structure. This poster will summarize our research to date, including a look at other architectural complexes in the Belize Valley that were involved in early public activities similar to what we have identified at Pacbitun.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage