The Early/Middle Formative Kanocha Phase (1200-850 B.C.) at Blackman Eddy, Belize
James F. Garber, M. Kathryn Brown, and Christopher J. Hartman

Structures B1-8th and B1-9th

These platforms are of similar size and construction and appear to be contemporaneous. As can be seen in Figure 5 only a portion of B1-9th was exposed. Both are apsidal substructural platforms built directly on bedrock. A thin layer of midden material was observed between the two platforms. This midden contained ash, ceramic debris, chert cores, mano fragment, stingray spine, and tubular bone ring. This midden did not extend underneath the platforms, supporting the suggestion of contemporanaity of the platforms. The platform edges are composed of roughly trimmed limestone slabs, measuring approximately 28 x 18 x 6 cm. The platform surfaces were composed of tamped earth/marl. Medium to dark gray clay was applied to the exterior of the B1-8th platform retaining wall, a technique similar to that seen for the south and west sides of Structure B1-7th. Construction fill within the platforms consisted of a brown soil matrix with occasional interspersed limestone rubble. Within the excavation area, bedrock slopes downward to the north and east. On the northeastern edge of B1-8th the height of the platform retaining wall was approximately 50 cm and thus the platform surface was well above bedrock. As was expected, no bedrock postholes were observed in this area. Postholes were observed on the southern edge where the platform surface was at bedrock level. Apparently, the inhabitants chose to locate this structure at the extreme north end of the ridge possibly to take advantage of the breeze.

Structure B1-8th has at lest three sub-construction phases designated B-8th-a, B1-8th-b, and B1-8th-c (Figure 5). The presumed sequence places B-8th-a as the earliest and B1-8th-c as the most recent. The postholes of B1-8th-a are inset 1.8 m from the platform edge. The mean posthole diameter is 16.5 cm. Two of the postholes are considerably larger than the others. Removing these, the mean diameter is 13.8 cm. The B1-8th-b postholes (mean diameter 13.4 cm) are inset 1.6 m from the platform edge. The B1-8th-c postholes (mean diameter 14.5 cm) are inset 1.1 m from the platform edge. All three sub-phases are apsidal in plan and represent perishable pole and thatch buildings measuring approximately 10.0 m by 7.5 m.

Domestic related material culture and features were associated with these early structures indicating a probable domestic function. Alternatively, the presence of exotic materials and the absence of burials within the platforms may suggest that these early deposits represent public and sacred space within the community from the initial settlement. Further investigation is necessary in order to better understand the nature and function of the B1-8th through B1-11th buildings.

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