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Detecting “Invisible” Dwellings in the Maya Area Using Electromagnetic Induction: Significant Findings of a Pilot Study at Chau Hiix, Belize

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Tracy L. Sweely
Tracy L. Sweely*
Affiliation:
University of Colorado Museum, Henderson Building, Campus Box 218, University of Colorado, Boulder CO 80309-0218 (sweely@colorado.edu)
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Abstract

Settlement studies of the prehispanic Lowland Maya have tended to rely upon dwelling remains that are visible at the ground surface, though floors and living surfaces that leave no surface indications are known to exist. Such “invisible” dwellings have been encountered beneath platforms and in “vacant terrain” lacking surface indications of architecture, and given more systematic attention, could represent a sizable and socially significant segment of the prehispanic populations in the region. This paper describes the application of electromagnetic induction, a geophysical technique, for locating nonplatform dwellings at Chau Hiix, Belize. A conductivity signature for nonplatform dwellings was identified that includes plaster, nonplatform floors, both in an area of vacant terrain and beneath a residential terrace, in association with trash pits and episodes of limestone bedrock mining, presumably for the acquisition of raw material for the floor. The technique also holds promise for locating ground-level floors, use-areas, and possibly footpaths. While this pilot study was limited in scope, it demonstrates the enormous potential of electromagnetic induction for locating these otherwise elusive features.

El estudio de asentamientos prehispánicos en las tierras bajas mayas ha dependido mucho en vestigios arquitectónicos visibles en la superficie, aunque se ha conocido la existencia de pisos y superficies de ocupación enterrados. Estos rasgos “invisibles,” encontrados abajo de plataformas y en “terrenos vacantes,” podrían representar un segmento importante de las poblaciones prehispánicas. En Chau Hiix, Belice, el método de excavar agujeros con barrenas resultó muy tardado y la información obtenida fue limitada, por lo que buscó método más eficiente. Este documento describe la aplicación de la técnica geofísica, inducción electromagnética, para ubicar pisos que no son plataformas en Chau Hiix. Una señal especial de conductividad para pisos que no son plataformas fue identificada en áreas vacantes y abajo de una terraza residencial. Estos pisos se encuentran asociados con depósitos de basura y episodios de extracción de piedra caliza, presumiblemente usados para su construcción. La técnica también promete localizar niveles de ocupación, áreas de uso, y posiblemente veredas. Aunque el enfoque del estudio piloto fue limitado, demostró el enorme potencial de la inducción electromagnética para localizar rasgos que muchas veces pasan desapercibidos.

Type
Reports
Information
Latin American Antiquity , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , June 2005 , pp. 193 - 208
Copyright
Copyright © 2005 by the Society for American Archaeology.

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