Salvage Excavation of the Alamilla/Gomez Property, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

Research Methods and Results

Owing to time constraints and the lack of prior knowledge about the site and area in general, the excavation team carried out research in a staged progression. The aim was that each stage aid the next, with the general goal of identifying intact cultural features including human interments. Shovel testing was proposed as a time-conscious method of evaluating the site as regards artifact densities and perhaps the identification of features. Shovel testing also provides excellent stratigraphic control, and hence was seen as aiding in the placement of test units, the next stage. The final phase of the evaluation was to be the monitoring of the excavations for the foundations of the building to be placed on the property. It was hoped that any important cultural remains could be salvaged during this large-scale excavation.

Operation 1:  Shovel Testing

Without any background information about the area, Weinberg, in consultation with Brian Woodeye of the Department of Archaeology, decided that a series of shovel tests would be likely to facilitate examination and evaluation of the site’s integrity, provide stratigraphic controls, reveal artifact concentrations, and perhaps yield indicators of intact features, deposits, and burials. The team established a 5 m-interval grid over the entire lot, and excavated shovel tests along the grid (see Figure 2).

Although shovel tests are utilized primarily in survey work to identify and define sites, they are also used to investigate the integrity of sites, and produce concentration maps to aid in the placement of test units, especially when time concerns are a factor in excavation. Shovel test profiles may also provide significant stratigraphic controls. Consistency of testing is of essence when the technique is used to evaluate a site, or in the case of the Alamilla/Gomez Property, an entire lot.

A shovel test consists of a vertical hole, a little wider than the width of a shovel blade. Shovel test probes are typically excavated to sterile subsoil or the maximum practical depth at which matrix can be removed by shovel, usually just over a meter. During excavation, care is taken that soil strata are recognized and artifacts from each stratum are bagged separately. A profile is then produced and soils are classified by type and Munsell colors.

The team excavated thirteen shovel tests on the property (Lots 101-113). Shovel testing indicated that there was a consistently mixed occupation stratum of dark loamy sand throughout the lot. Nearest to the surface was a stratum of more recent occupation debris that included construction materials and recent refuse. Sterile white sand subsoil typically appeared about 1 meter below modern ground surface. An extremely mixed collection of prehistoric, historic, and modern artifacts occurred in all strata and depths except the subsoil. An area of seemingly greater artifact density appeared at the SE end of the lot, adjacent to the Alijua Building. A general slope of subsoil, from deep at the coastal (E) side, to shallow as one moved inland, was observable in the stratigraphic profiles. No features or burials emerged during shovel testing, except an area adjacent to the septic tank that seemed to be marked by more than typically mixed matrices.

Operation 2:  Test Units

After discussions with Graham and Pendergast, Weinberg decided that the best approach to the property would be the excavation of either a mini-trench or test units. Owing to time and personnel constraints, the choice was a series of 2×1 m test units running along the N-S axis of the grid. The first unit was placed close to the cement block wall associated with the Alijua Building, and subsequent units were placed running grid north extending to Pescador Street. In all, three units were excavated on the property (see Figure 3).

Excavation of each Unit followed standard procedures. Twenty-centimeter arbitrary levels were used in the upper portion of the deposit, with the intention of switching to 10 cm or cultural levels should the stratigraphy dictate the need. The most recent fill and matrix were excavated along with the dark slightly loamy sand that was typical of occupation periods as a result of shared and mixed contexts, but are discussed as separate strata below. Excavation of each level was followed by depth measurement, drawing of a sketch plan and profile, identification of the matrix on Munsell charts, and photographing. Owing to time constraints, artifacts were not sorted in the field, but rather were bagged according to level and lot. Considerable care was given to the identification of possible burials and features, which were assigned separate lot numbers and given special treatment. Excavation of each unit 20 cm into the white sand subsoil was followed by production of a detailed profile drawing.

Test Unit 1 (Lots 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, (Burial 1, 119), 122).   Test Unit 1 was located at N100 E103. The 1×2 m unit was placed in an area of very high artifact density as revealed during shovel testing. Postclassic, historic, and modern components were all present. Test Unit 1 was made up of three distinct strata divided into six arbitrary levels (see Figure 4).   Burial 1 was encountered and excavated in this unit.

Stratum I consisted of very dark grayish brown 10YR3/2 loamy sand, typical of the property, with inclusions of very pale brown 10YR8/3 sand. It was excavated in a single arbitrary 20 cm level, for a total depth of 20 cm.

Stratum II consisted of very dark grayish brown 10YR3/2 loamy sand with some stone inclusions and a very high density of conch throughout. It was excavated in four arbitrary 20 cm levels, for a total depth of 80 cm.

Stratum III consisted of very pale brown 10YR8/2 sand subsoil. It was excavated in a single 20 cm arbitrary level to insure that there was no further presence of cultural remains. The level was almost completely sterile, with most of the artifacts recovered coming from the first 5 cm, possibly mixed from levels above. Most of the material recovered consists of faunal remains that may not be cultural in origin.

Burial 1.   Burial 1 was revealed in Unit 1 at a depth of 71 cm below modern ground surface (see Figure 5). It measured 35 cm E-W and 40 cm N-S. Preservation initially appeared very good, but proved rather poor upon excavation. There was no distinct grave outline, but the burial was surrounded by consistent matrix of very dark grayish brown 10YR3/2 loamy sand.

Burial 1, a juvenile or young adult, was in a tightly flexed position, consistent with that labeled ’frog’, with hands and feet all behind the back. The cranium was facing west. The skeleton did not appear to be completely in situ, but articulation of portions of the skeleton indicated that it was not secondary. Disturbance is probably related to the liquid nature of sand matrices. Only artifacts that could be directly associated with the burial were counted in the burial provenience; the remainder were included with artifacts from Level 1e, Lot 118. Eight shell pendants or beads were associated with Burial 1, as was a single obsidian blade fragment.

Test Unit 2 (Lots 120, 121, 123, 124, 125).   Test Unit 2 was located at N110 E103. The 1×2 m unit was placed in an area of very high artifact density as revealed during shovel testing, and continued the line of excavations grid north. Postclassic, historic, and modern components were all present. Test Unit 2 was made up of three distinct strata divided into five arbitrary levels (see Figure 6). No Features or Burials were encountered during the excavation of this unit.

Stratum I consisted of dark grayish brown 10YR4/2 loamy sand, typical of the property, and inclusions of other fill matrices. It was excavated in a single arbitrary 20 cm level along with some of the next stratum, though its depth varied from 10 to 15 cm. Most of Stratum 1 was very recent matrix, and the artifacts are largely modern.

Stratum II consisted of very dark gray 10YR3/1 loamy sand with some stone inclusions and a very high density of conch throughout. It was excavated in three complete and one partial arbitrary 20 cm level, for a total depth of 70-80 cm.

Stratum III consisted of very pale brown 10YR8/2 sand subsoil. It was excavated in a single 20 cm arbitrary level to insure that there was no further presence of cultural remains. The level was almost completely sterile, with most of the artifacts recovered from the first 5 cm, possibly mixed from levels above. Most of the material recovered consists of faunal remains that may not be cultural in origin.

Test Unit 3 (Lots 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132).   Test Unit 3 was located at N116 E103. The 1×2 m unit was placed in an area of very high artifact density as revealed during shovel testing. Postclassic, historic, and modern components were all present. Test Unit 3 was made up of three distinct strata divided into five arbitrary levels (see Figure 7).   Features 1 and 2 were encountered and excavated in this unit.

Stratum I was very dark grayish brown 10YR3/2 loamy sand, typical of the property, consisting of modern fill and a mix of artifacts and construction-related material. It was excavated in one arbitrary 20 cm level that intruded into the occupation matrix below for a total depth of 12 to 16 cm.

Stratum II consisted of very dark grayish brown 10YR3/2 loamy sand to grayish brown 10YR5/2 loamy sand, with some stone inclusions and a very high density of conch throughout. It was excavated in three complete and one partial arbitrary 20 cm level, for a total depth of 57-65 cm.

Stratum III consisted of very pale brown 10YR8/2 sand subsoil. It was excavated in a single 20 cm arbitrary level to insure that there were no further cultural remains. The level was almost completely sterile, with most of the artifacts recovered coming from the first 5 cm, possibly mixed from levels above. Most of the material recovered consists of faunal remains that may not be cultural in origin. Features 1 and 2 were revealed in the transition between Stratum II and this stratum, and extended well into this subsoil (see Figure  8).

Feature 1 (Lot 131).   Feature 1 was a round, very dark grayish brown 10YR3/2, loamy sand stain. It was identified just below the transition from occupation matrix to white sandy subsoil. Owing to its rather small 20×30 cm size it was excavated as a whole rather than bisected. The matrix was completely removed until subsoil was reached on all sides and bottom. The matrix was consistent with that of the occupation stratum and extended 17 cm below the transition to subsoil, terminating in a rounded bottom. The morphology and fill of Feature 1 are consistent with identification as a post mould, and dating appears to be no earlier than the historic period.

Feature 2 (Lot 132).   Feature 2 was an oval stain of very dark brown 10YR2/2 very loamy sand with visible rotten wood inclusions. It was identified just below the transition from occupation matrix to sterile subsoil. Its 35×60 cm size and the obvious modern wood inclusions dictated that it be excavated as a whole. Excavation revealed a rotten post, over 50 cm in length, in situ near the center of the stain. The surrounding matrix, with rotten wood fragments, was excavated to subsoil on all sides and bottom. The feature reached 64 cm in depth, tapering downward to a rounded bottom. The morphology and matrix of Feature 2 suggest identification as a modern post and post mould, excavated by a posthole digger, a hinged double bladed tool capable of producing very narrow holes that extend to great depths.

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