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

BR-5a and BR-5b

Both BR-F5a and BR-F5b are large, more or less circular, pits excavated into bedrock. Both appear to have originally functioned as a chultun that was later used as a refuse dump. The basal portions of each have been smoothed. The upper walls of BR-F5b had vertical scored gouge marks, evidence that it had been dug out with a sharpened stick. The sidewalls of both are concave and thus have overhanging edges. There appeared to be breakage along the edges, indicating that the openings were once more constricted than at present.

BR-F5a is approximately 65 cm in diameter and 80 cm in depth. The dirt fill was grayish-black in color and midden-like. At the base of the feature, resting directly on bedrock, was a complete colander vessel (Figure 6, shown above). The interior basal surface of the vessel in and around the area of the drain holes was encrusted with a layer of white lime. Colanders probably functioned as containers to rinse off lime soaked corn in the preparation of maize gruel or to soften maize prior to grinding. Other artifacts from BR-F5a included numerous chert micro-drills and burins, biconically drilled marine shell disk beads, marine shell detritus, freshwater clam and jute shells, small bone fragments, ceramic sherds, and carbon (Figures 7, 8, and 9, shown below).

BR-F5b is larger, measuring 2.4 m x 1.6 m and 91 cm in depth. Portions of a limestone block partition wall were found abutting the north edge of the chamber. Numerous limestone blocks of similar size were found at the base of the western half of the feature and may represent wall collapse. Numerous fire-cracked pieces of limestone and carbon were recovered in the eastern half of the chamber along its base. Distinct, dense concentrations (possibly basket-loads) of freshwater jute and bivalve shells were found along the southern edge of the chamber. The freshwater shells from this deposit were noticeably larger and thicker than those from later deposits, possibly a response to overexploitation or environmental change.

The fill of the chamber was layered representing a series of distinct depositional events probably spread out over time. The clustering of artifacts and differential fill suggest its periodic use as a refuse dump. The upper portion of the fill was blackish gray to brown in color. The middle section of fill was a darker brownish gray color and the fill at the base was gray to dark gray silty-clay fine laminates that appeared to have been deposited by water. Perhaps after its use as a chultun it lay exposed for some time allowing silty-clay soils to accumulate at its base. Alternatively, after its use as a chultun it may have been used as a water catchment. The smoothing of the limestone bedrock on its base and lower walls (if not smoothed by hand) may be the result of the episodic washing and pooling of water.

Numerous bones from a large mammal (possibly tapir or white-tailed deer) were recovered in the fill. Body parts included vertebrae, scapulae, metapodials, carpals, and long bones in addition to a variety of bones from smaller species. Artifacts included bone needles; complete and fragmented manos; metate fragments; chert flakes, cores and micro-drills; ceramic sherds; and a stone tecomate (Figures 10 and 11, shown below). A tabular limestone slab with three pecked circular depressions was recovered at the base of the chamber. These depressions are approximately 4-5 cm in diameter and 2.5 to 4 cm in depth.

Two radiocarbon dates were obtained from the base of BR-F5 (Beta-162573 850 ± 40 b.c., cal B.C. 1000-900; and Beta-159142 800 ± 40 b.c., cal B.C. 920-830) (Table 2).

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