"Problematic Deposits" at Chan Chich, Belize

Summary

The Chan Chich Archaeological Project has documented two types of terminal, above floor "problematic" artifact deposits in a number of different locations and contexts at the site of Chan Chich, Belize. The first type comprises light scatters of "exotic" ceramics and other artifacts on the steps to range buildings in epicentral courtyards. The second type is a dense artifact deposit in an ashy matrix at the base of a platform face in a hilltop, elite courtyard. Compositionally, the second type closely resembles a midden; however, the context—within an "elite" courtyard at the base of a masonry building—seems to warrant calling it something other than a midden. Compounding the categorical confusion are nearly identical features found in residential courtyards near the site center. Based on their association with domestic structures, excavators have classified these features as middens despite the fact they occur on courtyard floors, against buildings, rather than off the back of the structures. This paper describes the different types of terminal, above floor deposits at Chan Chich, focusing on composition and context. Comparisons are made to features at other sites in the region, including the archetypal Problematic Deposit 2 at Dos Hombres, to highlight regional trends.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 18758