Settlement Patterns and Variation in the Western Highlands, Guatemala

Q’anil Phase (A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1525)

This phase can be divided into two facets, an early one dating from A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1400 and a late one dating from A.D. 1400 to ca. A.D. 1525. These two facets are similar in many respects and many sites are occupied during both. The largest settlement shift is from mountain-slope sites in the early facet to mountaintop ceremonial sites in the late facet in tierra templada and tierra fria (above 2000 masl). Overall, populations increase in tierra templada and tierra fria, although occupation continues in tierra caliente. Settlement in the tierra caliente undergoes a radical shift, away from the sites occupied in the preceding two phases to sites located on tongues of land above rivers, such as at Tz’ulub’laj II (H-115, Figure 14) or Nupup (A-9, Figure 15). Some sites that occupied defensive positions in earlier phases continue to be occupied, although with changes in ceramics and architecture, such as at Yichk’uhatan (H-67, Figure 16).

The early facet of the Q’anil phase (A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1400) is characterized by large sites located primarily in tierra templada. These sites, such as Buena Vista (H-1, Figure 17) in the Huista region, are usually nucleated settlements located on mountain-slopes (rather than mountaintops). Construction typically is of small or large uncut stone as fill with cut stone facings. Monumental construction is generally smaller than in previous phases, although it utilizes natural topography to create the appearance of greater height, such as at the site of Tenam (A-1, Figure 18) and Chewitz (H-47, Figure 19). Commoner households are made of small uncut stone, probably supporting perishable superstructures, and are normally found associated with large centers (with some dispersed settlements on surrounding slopes). Sites may have plaza groups, but more typically terrace walls or natural topography define intra-site organization. Stone terraces of varying lengths are very common in the Q’anil phase, and were used as support on mountain-slopes, either for households or against erosion.

The late facet of the Q’anil phase (A.D. 1400 to ca. A.D. 1525) is characterized by a traditional Late Postclassic Period settlement pattern. This pattern consists of decentralized settlement focusing on hilltop, ceremonial centers in tierra templada and tierra fria. Sites such as Tonh Tx’alib’ (H-15, Figure 20) in the Huista region or Paiconob Grande (A-5, Figure 21) in the Acateco region are of this type. These sites rarely show evidence for commoner occupation; they are primarily ceremonial centers. Instead, common households are found extended over nearby mountain-slopes, not centralized near the ceremonial centers. This dispersed settlement pattern is common in tierra templada and tierra fria, while in tierra caliente, however, settlement continued in sites occupied during the Early Q’anil facet, such as Tzulub’laj II (H-115, Figure 14). Some sites in tierra templada continued to be occupied as well, such as Buena Vista (H-1), although probably with a decreased population. Construction during this facet is very similar to the early facet, usually with cut stone facing. Also found during this facet are rock art drawings with little or no associated settlement, as at Corral Ch’en (H-68) and Yich Ch’en (H-107).

Ceramics during the Q’anil phase show a marked difference from earlier types and varieties. Most common are red and black bi-chromes, probably related to the various kinds of Chinautla polychrome (see Wauchope 1970). These are usually found in medium bowl and jar forms. Also common is a "waxy" paste found only during the Q’anil phase, either plain or striated. Besides these two markers, other more coarse types are also found, as well as thin, hard-fired oranges and reds. The Q’anil phase represents a "typical" Late Postclassic period ceramic assemblage for highland Guatemala.

Previous Page  |  Table of Contents  |  Next Page

Return to top of page