Spatial Analysis of the Preserved Wooden Architectural Remains of Eight Late Classic Maya Salt Works in Punta Ycacos Lagoon, Toledo District, Belize

Summary

In 2005, eight Late Classic Maya sites with the remains of wooden posts were found beneath the surface of Punta Ycacos Lagoon in southern Belize. The presence of briquetage on the surface and embedded among the clusters of wooden architectural features implies association with salt production activity. This research employed a rigorous field survey, combined with mapping, sampling, and building a GIS. Detailed analysis of the spatial distribution of wooden posts was conducted to determine if comparisons could be drawn to ethnohistoric examples of wooden architecture reported among the Maya and in Mesoamerica. This research found that there are patterns in post distribution, some of which compare to ethnohistoric examples of wooden architecture. This study emphasizes that there are rectilinear patterns in the placement of posts. This research did find positive results from the use of in-the-field GIS analysis to recognize patterns and predict missing data. This study was part of a larger on-going project "Mapping Ancient Maya Wooden Architecture on the Seafloor" that will continue to address these problems and build upon this research.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Flooded Ancient Maya Salt Works, Paynes Creek National Park, Belize

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16323