Proyecto Santa Bárbara, Yucatán, México

Summary and Ongoing Analysis

Preliminary analysis suggests that Santa Bárbara was an important regional center during the eighth and possibly ninth centuries. Ceramic, architectural, iconographic, and hieroglyphic data indicate that it was occupied during the same period as other mid-sized sites exhibiting extensive epigraphic and iconographic material in the western portion of the peninsula. Data from sites such as Santa Bárbara and Xcalumkin (Becquelin and Michelet, 1992; Forsyth, 1982; Grube, 1994) may indicate that smaller regional centers prevailed prior to the Puuc and Chenes florescence in the late ninth and early tenth centuries, although hieroglyphic data at Xcalumkin indicate the presence of sajals, subsidiary elite often found at secondary centers (Grube, 1994). Architectural and iconographic data at Santa Bárbara suggest that it participated in an interaction network with other regional sites in western Yucatán and northern Campeche. The S1W1-1 Group, an Early Puuc style architectural complex, suggests ties with sites such as Chac II and Labná. Although at this time there is little indication as to nature of this interaction, it is unlikely that a regional state such the one proposed from tenth century Uxmal was in existence (see Dunning and Kowalski, 1994; Schele and Freidel, 1990). In fact, the depopulation of Chunchucmil and the massive social changes discerned in monumental zone of nearby Oxkintok (see Rivera D., 1987; 1989; 1990; 1991; 1992; 1995; 1997; 1998; Vidal L., 1999) suggest a decentralization of populations during the eighth century. Furthermore, monumental construction may have decreased or ceased at Chunchucmil. The presence of monumental art and public hieroglyphic writing at Santa Bárbara in the absence of such features at Chunchucmil may suggest a transfer of regional elite power to Santa Bárbara during the Late Classic.

During the late ninth and early tenth centuries populations appear to coalesce at sites located in the Puuc Hills (Stanton et al., in press). At this time, Epiclassic cult influence enters into the Puuc Mosaic iconography at sites such as Uxmal (Ringle et al., 1998). Santa Bárbara appears to participate in these social transformations. Some of the monumental art exhibits Epiclassic traits and Puuc Mosaic façade decorations are constructed. Although these social transformations were likely influenced by large sites such as Uxmal, the nature of the relationships among these sites is unclear at this time. Hopefully, further analysis of the iconography and epigraphy will provide further clues.

Analyses of the iconography, epigraphy, and ceramics are ongoing. Modal analysis of the ceramics in Mérida should be completed by October 2001. The data from this analysis will be used to compare how types and modes are distributed across the site core. Samples will be taken for chemical and spectrographic analyses. These results will be compared to current Late Classic databases and ceramics from Chunchucmil to test current models of how ceramic economies can articulate with sociopolitical interaction. Ruth Krochock is currently analyzing the epigraphic data. Hopefully, this study will yield more results concerning the nature of regional politics before the end of 2001.

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