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Preclassic ceramic economy in Belize: neutron activation analysis at Cahal Pech

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 July 2019

Claire E. Ebert Open the ORCID record for Claire E. Ebert [Opens in a new window] ,
Daniel E. Pierce  and
Jaime J. Awe
Claire E. Ebert*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Northern Arizona University, 5 East McConnell Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5200, USA
Daniel E. Pierce
Affiliation:
Archaeometry Laboratory, University of Missouri Research Reactor, 1513 Research Park Drive, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Jaime J. Awe
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Northern Arizona University, 5 East McConnell Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5200, USA
*
*Author for correspondence (Email: claire.ebert@nau.edu)
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Abstract

This study uses neutron activation analysis of ceramics to examine economic change and increasing social complexity at the Preclassic Maya site of Cahal Pech in Belize (1200 cal BC–cal AD 300). Seven compositional groups were identified from the site's civic-ceremonial centre and two peripheral residential groups. Analyses indicate that both utilitarian and non-utilitarian ceramics were locally produced as early as 1200 cal BC, and that by c. 700 cal BC, fineware vessels were being exported into neighbouring parts of Guatemala. These results provide direct evidence for economic interaction between Maya lowland communities and for their increasing socio-political complexity.

Keywords

Preclassic Mayaneutron activation analysisceramic economycraft productionexchange
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 93 , Issue 371 , October 2019 , pp. 1266 - 1283
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2019 

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