Refining Architectural Classifications of Preclassic Monumentality at Early Xunantunich, Belize

Summary

The site of Early Xunantunich in Belize provides us with a rare opportunity to conduct large scale investigations of Preclassic architecture due to its lack of Classic Period overburden. Since 2008, ongoing excavations at the site have yielded a wealth of information regarding Preclassic activities in the area. However, recent investigations of a monumental flat-topped platform at the site have illuminated issues with the ways in which we describe and classify these early structures. In this paper, we argue that the current typologies used to describe Preclassic monumental architecture are insufficient and obscure our ability to make meaningful formal comparisons. In particular, we argue that the blanket terms used to describe Preclassic platforms must be honed and refined in order to reflect important distinctions in both the form and function of these structures. Such distinctions would facilitate a deeper understanding of early monumental forms, enabling us to rethink the symbolic meanings being conveyed through early civic and ceremonial centers. Finally, by distinguishing between these varying forms, we can begin to explore the processes of accumulation and architectural repurposing that led to the expansion or abandonment of these structures during the Classic Period.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16974