Archaic Stone Tools from the Belize Archaic Project

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Northern Belize Archaic Period and Sahara Dust" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Analysis of a large sample of Late Archaic tools from the multi-year Belize Archaic Project at Progresso Lagoon provides an updated assessment of formal (and especially) informal flake tools utilized by Preceramic peoples extensively occupying the lagoon shore. Primarily from habitation sites, this analysis assesses the types of activities conducted as well as the production technologies reflected by the characteristics of debitage, utilized flakes, retouched flakes, unifaces, and bifaces. This first effort contributes a holistic assessment of the strategies and adaptations of this population, best known for a unifacial macroflake tradition that is now understood to reflect the most diagnostic aspect of lithic assemblages that reflect diverse activities including food production, preparation, and crafting. This analysis expands understanding of semi-sedentary, horticultural peoples living in northern Belize prior to the emergence of Maya society.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• Northern Belize Archaic Period and Sahara Dust

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 51526