A Place for Specialized Learning: Ongoing Excavations at Group C, Xunantunich

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2025: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Ongoing excavations at Xunantunich aim to deepen our understanding of Group C as a center for specialized knowledge and training. Previous research revealed large, vaulted range structures, C-2 and C-3, featuring high benches, incised Patolli boards, and outward-facing doorways. Proximity and architectural connections suggest these atypical residential buildings were closely linked with a large sweatbath and an adjacent patio group for servants and attendants to individuals living within the range structures. These findings point to Group C as a specialized residence where youths engaged in processions, rituals, militaristic training, and dance. In the 2024 field season, we further explored Group C's connection to Structure A-5-2nd, two rooms filled with ancient Maya Graffiti, while also searching for additional Patolli boards in other rooms. Additionally, recent LiDAR analysis identified a possible double ringed ditch and berm defensive feature encircling Group C, which supports our hypothesis of the area’s role in specialized training. These discoveries provide new insights into the complex interplay of architecture and function within Group C.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• SAA 2025: Individual Abstracts

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 53229