Artifacts - 501academy

Santa Rita

moe — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 00:13:12 +0000

Santa Rita

Santa Rita, a Maya archaeological reserve near Corozal Town, Belize, likely corresponds to the ancient Maya city known as Chetumal, according to historical evidence. Excavations reveal a rich history of habitation dating back to 2000-1200 BCE, with its peak significance during the Postclassic era and continued occupation even after the Spanish arrival. Positioned strategically to control trade routes between the coast and major rivers like Río Hondo and Río Nuevo, Santa Rita thrived as a dominant settlement in the Chetumal region during the early Classic period. Despite a brief decline in the Late Classic period, Santa Rita regained prominence and served as the capital of the Chetumal Province under the Cocom dynasty of Mayapán until 1441, when it was overthrown by an uprising, marking the end of Mayapán supremacy.

Effigy

The effigy pictured is made in the likeness of a man. The man has two buck teeth and fangs. He seems to be wearing a headdress of some sort that runs across his forehead.

Effigy

This effigy is a little more complex than the last. It depicts the face of a man coming out of the mouth of a beast with fangs and antlers. The effigy’s distal end seems to resemble a seashell.

Bowl

The bowl is large and rounded. This bowl seems to have been used in the home.

Vase

This vase is very small and can fit in the palm of an adult’s hand. Like the Cerros vase, this vase has a steep neck, but it is not as steep as the Cerro Maya vase.

Cache Vessel

This carefully selected artifact, recovered from a Late Postclassic cache deposit at Structure 37 in Santa Rita, stands approximately 7 inches high and represents the Maya diving god. Adorned with multicolor (black, red, white, and blue) paint and applique designs, it features the stunning Maya Blue, a vibrant shade unique to the Ancient Maya of Mesoamerica. Maya Blue, known for its chemical stability over time, is made through a special reaction, though the exact ingredients remain a mystery. This vessel is among the few artifacts in Belize showcasing this remarkable pigment, highlighting the Maya’s innovative paint-making techniques.

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Cerro Maya

moe — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 23:42:00 +0000

Cerro Maya

Cerros, an Eastern Lowland Maya archaeological site in northern Belize, thrived from the Late Preclassic to the Postclassic period, reaching its peak during the Mesoamerican Late Preclassic with a population of approximately 1,089 people. Positioned strategically on a peninsula at the mouth of the New River, it served as a vital intermediary link between coastal trade routes and inland communities, boasting an extensive canal system and raised-field agriculture. The site’s core features large structures, stepped pyramids, an acropolis complex, and two ballcourts, surrounded by a crescent-shaped canal network enclosing raised-fields. Initially a small village of farmers, fishermen, and traders around 400 BC, Cerros underwent urban renewal around 50 BC, marked by the construction of temples and plazas, notably Structure 5C-2nd, aligning with Chetumal Bay, symbolizing the site’s significance. However, by AD 400, Cerros had declined, with sporadic occupation until its abandonment, drawing renewed interest in the early 20th century.

Small Bowl

This bowl is tiny and shows signs of reconstruction. This vessel could have been an offering bowl. Sometimes we, as archaeologists, are faced with the issue of having whole but broken vessels. As we can see with this small bowl, the archaeologist elected to rearticulate the vessel.

Vase

This vessel has 3 handles on its body. These handles could have been placed on the body to make pouring from the vase easier as this is a large vase that would have been quite heavy when full.

Vase

This vase is quite small with a very rounded body and steep neck. This vessel fits comfortably in the palm of an adult’s hand.

Vase

This vase is small and has straight walls that flare out to a semi-rounded base. The shape of this vase is prevalent to the area, with many similar vessels coming out of Cerro Maya and Santa Rita.

Bowl

This bowl has some striping which is unclear if it was intentional or if it is simply a unique pattern of degradation. As you can see, there was chipping on the rim of the vase.

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Lamanai

moe — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 23:28:46 +0000

Lamanai

Lamanai, a significant Mesoamerican archaeological site in Belize’s Orange Walk District, derives its name from the Maya term meaning “submerged crocodile.” It boasts a rich history spanning over three millennia, from the Early Preclassic Maya period to the Spanish and British Colonial periods, remaining occupied well into the 17th century AD unlike many other Classic-period sites. The site features prominent structures like the Mask Temple, Jaguar Temple, and High Temple, with ongoing archaeological work revealing its historical significance. Lamanai’s lush jungle surroundings and proximity to the New River add to its allure, attracting visitors to explore its ancient mysteries and diverse wildlife population.

Jaguar Effigy

As we know, jaguars are apex predators in the rainforests of Belize. These magnificent creatures were known to the Maya and are heavily featured in their mythology and art. This effigy depicts an upright seated jaguar.

Crocodile Effigy

The name Lamanai means submerged crocodile. As such, this effigy depicts a two-faced crocodile with one face holding the face of a man inside its mouth.

Tripod Bowl

The bowl is held up by three pedestals, all of which are made in the likeness of a bird. Above the pedestals on the base of the body lies a fringe made by alternating patterns.

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Altun Ha

moe — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 22:44:35 +0000

Altun Ha

Jade Head

Altun Ha, the ruins of an ancient Maya city in Belize, lies approximately 50 kilometers north of Belize City and about 10 kilometers west of the Caribbean Sea. Covering an area of about 8 square kilometers, Altun Ha remained unknown to archaeologists until 1963, despite the reuse of its stones in the nearby village of Rockstone Pond for modern residential construction. Accessible via the Old Northern Highway, Altun Ha features notable structures like the 16-meter-high “Temple of the Masonry Altars,” depicted in the logo of Belize’s popular beer brand, “Belikin.” Its name, meaning “Rockstone Water” in Yucatec Mayan, reflects its proximity to Rockstone Pond. Altun Ha’s ancient occupation, from about 900 B.C. to A.D. 1000, reveals its significance during the Classic Period from A.D. 400 to A.D. 900, when it reached its peak. Despite its swampy pre-Columbian environment, Altun Ha relied on limited water sources such as Gordon Pond and Camp Aguada for sustenance.

Archaeological findings at Cahal Pech include the earliest pottery in Western Belize, indicating ceramic-using populations as early as 1200 BCE. The site’s name, meaning “Place of the Ticks” in Yucatec Maya, was given during the 1950s when the area was used for pasture.

Shell

This is a marine shell and shells were very commonly used for jewelry making. The Maya would also eat the flesh of these creatures. This shell shows some regular wear and tear from being in the ground.

Eccentrics

Eccentrics are aptly named for their strange and exciting appearance. Not every eccentric is the same, however, with some made in the likeness of animals, humans and others in abstract shapes. These stone creations typically have no practical function, but archaeological studies have shown that they were used heavily for ceremonies and bloodletting rituals, which was a form of auto-sacrifice.

Lithic/Stone Tools

Unlike modern kitchen knives, Ancient Maya knives were crafted from sturdy rocks like chert or flint. Maya craftsmen used a technique called flintknapping or pressure flaking, employing hard objects like deer antlers or rocks to shape and sharpen the stone tools. During excavations, archaeologists discover these tools along with the leftover chips and flakes, known as ‘debitage’, produced during the tool-making process.

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Lubaantun

moe — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 22:17:18 +0000

Lubaantun

Lubaantun, a pre-Columbian ruined city of the Maya civilization in southern Belize, is located about 42 kilometers northwest of Punta Gorda in the Toledo District. Dating from the Maya Classic era, flourishing from the 730s to the 890s AD, Lubaantun features distinctive architecture built primarily of large stone blocks without mortar, primarily black slate rather than the limestone typical of the region. The structures display unique features such as “in-and-out masonry” with rounded corners on step-pyramids. Notably, the site’s center is situated on an artificially raised platform between two small rivers, suggesting military defensibility. The city is renowned for its large collection of miniature ceramic objects believed to be charmstones or ritual artifacts, while its ancient name remains unknown, with “Lubaantun” derived from the modern Maya term meaning “place of fallen stones.”

Bowl

This bowl is wide. This vessel was probably used in the home for storing food.

Bowl

This bowl has a peculiar structure with a constricted neck and rounded bottom. While it is mostly preserved, the paintings on the body unfortunately did not survive the passage of time. Due to its degraded surface, we are unsure what the bowl’s illustrations could have been. We do know that the painting extended onto the rim.

Shell

Due to the site’s proximity to the sea, the Maya were able to source seashells for jewelry, ornaments and pottery making. This shell shows some wear and tear from being in the ground.

Polychrome Vessel

This colorful round bowl is considered polychrome because of its multicolor appearance, typically associated with ceremonial and ritual events. While unpainted or undecorated vessels were likely used for everyday household purposes, polychrome ones held ceremonial significance. Despite the absence of glyphs to interpret its pattern, this vessel is remarkably preserved, showcasing its intricate paintings.

Mano and Metate

This mano and metate were placed on a pedestal included in the scan. We opted for using the LiDAR option on Polycam due to the weight of the metate and mano. As you may be familiar, manos and metates are household staples in the Maya community, contemporary and ancient. These tools were used for the grinding of corn and other spices and have remained a useful utensil to have in the kitchen. These are typically made from basalt or granite.

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Nim Li Punit

moe — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 00:03:22 +0000

Nim Li Punit

Nim Li Punit is a Maya Classic Period site in Belize’s Toledo District, located 50 kilometers north of Punta Gorda and near the village of Indian Creek. The name, meaning “Big Hat” in Kekchi Maya, refers to a large headdress depicted on a stela sculpture found at the site. Situated in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, the site features three plazas with step-pyramids, the tallest being 11 meters high. Flourishing from the 5th to the 8th century AD, Nim Li Punit supported a population of around 7,000 before being abandoned during the Maya civilization’s decline. It was known for extensive trade, particularly in obsidian, and benefited from the fertile soils in the area.

Nim Li Punit is accessible via an unpaved road off Belize’s Southern Highway. The site, explored archaeologically since 1976, includes 53 carved stone monuments, numerous structures, and significant evidence of economic and political interactions with other nearby Maya sites like Lubaantun and Uxbenka. The city’s layout includes expansive plazas and terraces, and some structures were likely used for astronomical observations. Unlike Lubaantun, Nim Li Punit’s buildings were constructed with Maya mortar rather than dry-stone construction. The region’s fertile land and abundant local sandstone contributed to the site’s success and the construction of its impressive architecture.

Effigy

An effigy is a structure or model with the likeness of a human (anthropomorphic) or animal-like (zoomorphic) features. Effigy vessels are often recovered from ritual contexts. This effigy is a tiny depiction of a human face. When it was made, it was fully red in color, but the degradation of time has left only a few patches of red on the surface.

Vessel with face

This vessel is an extraordinary creative feat. With three pedestals and a stippled body, this vessel features the likeness of a face. The eyes are closed like slits and the nose is long and beaklike, with both human- and bird-shaped nostrils.

Jaguar Stela

This stela is one of the best-preserved stelae in Belize. This stela depicts the meeting of kings from Copan and Nim Li Punit to perform rituals in Copan, Honduras.

Stela 14

This stela is the tallest stela in Belize, measuring 9.5 meters in length. Stela 14 depicts a ruler of Nim Li Punit performing a scattering or offering ritual. He wears a jade beaded necklace across which hangs a horizontal pectoral. His writs are covered with tubular jade beads. Under a high belt hangs a typical loincloth apron. This stela is the second tallest in all of Mesoamerica.

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Caracol

moe — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 23:17:41 +0000

Caracol

Caracol is a large ancient Maya archaeological site located in the Cayo District of Belize, approximately 40 kilometers south of Xunantunich and San Ignacio. Situated on the Vaca Plateau at an elevation of 500 meters, it was one of the most important regional political centers of the Maya Lowlands during the Classic Period. The site spans about 200 square kilometers, much larger than present-day Belize City, and supported a population more than twice that of the modern city. Originally thought to be a tertiary center, Caracol is now recognized for its significant political and cultural influence.

Caracol’s name, meaning “snail” or “spiral” in Spanish, refers to the winding access road to the site. The city featured approximately 267 structures per square kilometer, 85% higher than Tikal, and was integrated with a terrace system. The population is estimated to have peaked between 120,000 and 180,000, as revealed by LIDAR technology. Occupied from as early as 1200 BC, Caracol had its epicentral area inhabited between 650 BC and AD 950. The site contains 53 carved stone monuments, over 250 burials, and 200 caches, reflecting its extensive trade networks and regional economic integration during the Early Classic period. Caracol was officially founded in AD 331 by Te’ K’ab Chaak, with early influences from northern Mexico indicated by Teotihuacan-style cremations.

Polychrome Glyphic Vase

This vase features stunning colors with a light blue rim. Below the blue paint lies some glyphs that are somewhat hard to read due to their eroded condition. However, the remainder of the vase shows some geometric painted patterns in multiple colors.

Polychrome Vessel

The vase has a duo- chromatic color scheme. With a red painted rim, the pattern below shows some varying patterns that even the passage of time could not erase.

Polychrome Vessel

This short, rounded vessel features a repeating pattern of two pointed stripes around the body. The rim has a pink paint slip, possibly a faded red. The paint shows signs of flaking, likely from excavation. Its exact function is unknown, but it showcases ancient Maya creativity.

Tall vase

This vase actually comes as a pair. The twin vases are tall and beautifully preserved.

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Cahal Pech

moe — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 15:59:27 +0000

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech is a Maya site located near San Ignacio in Belize’s Cayo District. It was a palatial hilltop residence for an elite Maya family, with major construction dating back to the Classic period. However, evidence of continuous habitation traces back to 1200 BCE, making it one of the oldest Maya sites in Western Belize. The site overlooks the confluence of the Macal and Mopan Rivers and consists of 34 structures, with the tallest temple reaching 25 meters. It was abandoned in the 9th century CE for unknown reasons.

Cacao Vessel

Cacao vessel – This ceramic vessel type is known as a chocolate pot. Archaeological analyses have found evidence of cacao from within these types of vessels. This pot was used similarly to a coffee pot but instead used for serving the famous Maya cacao beverage.

Bowl

This bowl is very round with a small opening. It sits on a small hollow base.

Copal Censer

This vessel has glyphs on its body and pedestal. Such vessels were used to burn copal as an offering to the gods.

Vase

The vase has a tall neck and a rounded base.

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