Investigating preclassic occupation in the site core of Xunantunich

Ramirez, Estevan (2023) Investigating preclassic occupation in the site core of Xunantunich. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

Text Ramirez_2023_investigating_preclassic_occupation_site_core_xunantunich.pdf - Published Version Download (34MB)

Abstract

Previous studies in the Maya area indicate many lowland Maya site cores developed gradually with continuous construction and modifications extending back to the Preclassic era (1200 B.C. – A.D. 300). In spite of this developmental sequence, few sites exhibiting Preclassic transition phases have been intensively investigated. One example is the Belize Valley site of Xunantunich, where more than a century’s worth of research in the site core has been dedicated primarily to interpreting the political and socio-economic role of the site during the Late to Terminal Classic period. Because of these previous research biases, little is known of the Preclassic occupational component of the site core. In an effort to address this omission, we conducted a series of excavations within the site core during the 2022 field season of the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance (BVAR) Project. These investigations revealed Preclassic architecture and Jenney Creek Phase (900-300 BC) ceramics, as well as Preclassic ceramic figurines. In this thesis, we review evidence of Preclassic occupation in Xunantunich’s site core and provide results of our recent investigations in Plazas A-I, A-II, and A-III. Our findings help enhance the understanding of the construction and development of the site core of Xunantunich during Preclassic times.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	Belize River Valley; Preclassic; Xunantunich; Archaeology;
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Social and Behavioral Science > Anthropology
Date Deposited:	23 Jun 2025 17:18
Last Modified:	23 Jun 2025 17:18
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6197

Actions (login required)

IR Staff Record View

Downloads