Evidence for Quarrying at Medicinal Trail, A Maya Hinterland Community in Northwestern Belize

Summary

Excavations associated with Structure A-7, a 9 x 4 m isolated mound near Group A of the Medicinal Trail Community in northwestern Belize, have revealed evidence for the extraction of stone blocks from the limestone bedrock. The evidence for quarrying consists of rectangular scars outlining stone blocks that appear to have been in the process of being harvested. Additionally, there was an artificially created bowl-shaped depression, 2 m in diameter and approximately 1 m deep. A problematic deposit, possibly a midden, was placed inside the depression. Structure A-7 extends over the block scars and the depression. Ceramic examination suggests that there was a lot of intermixing of the deposits in the midden. Late Preclassic, Protoclassic, Early Classic, and some Late Classic ceramic types were identified in the deposit, and there does not appear to be any stratigraphic differences in the midden matrix and to determine if the deposit was a true midden, or secondary refuse dump. This paper describes the excavations and evidence of quarrying, discusses the possible meaning of the problematic deposit found in the depression.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

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

Keywords

Spatial Coverage