Big Trash, Little Trash: A Comparison of a Late Classic Maya Feasting Deposit and a Household Midden

Summary

Feasting is often identified in the archaeological record based on the discovery of high ceramic frequencies and the presence of faunal remains in a concentrated area. While these characteristics can prove useful an initial identification of feasting behavior, further examination of the potential feasting assemblage and comparison with other types of archaeological deposits is necessary to fully support a feasting interpretation. This paper compares two deposits from the Classic Maya site of La Corona, Peten, Guatemala: a potential feasting deposit and a contemporaneous household midden. Examination of ceramic type frequencies, vessel forms, and rim diameters as well as analysis of non-ceramic materials, including chert, obsidian, and faunal remains, demonstrates the similarities and differences between the deposits while highlighting the ancient Maya behaviors which created the deposits. This study broadens our understanding of Late Classic Maya feasting and household consumption activity while emphasizing the importance of comparison when examining potential feasting deposits.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

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

Keywords

Spatial Coverage