Jadeite Sources and Ancient Workshops: Archaeological Reconnaissance in the Upper Río El Tambor, Guatemala

Terrace 2

In terms of its architecture and prominent position upon the saddle of the hill, it is clear that Terrace 2 constitutes the principal mound group of Sitio Aguilucho (Figures 22 and 25, shown below, and Figure 26). The structures surround an L-shaped plaza that slopes downward from its northern extension to the south and west, with Structure 8 at the western side providing access to the still lower Terrace 3. The form of the plaza was caused in part by the contours of the natural terrain, with the broad platform supporting Structure 1, 2 and 3 and Structures 4 to 10 being built atop serpentine outcrops. To the south, Structures 9 and 19 abut the natural rise of the hillside above. The northern portion of the plaza offers access to the summit ridge and Terrace 1. In addition, a modern trail from this northern edge also leads down to the rich jade deposits of Quebrada Seca, and ultimately, Quebrada El Silencio and the Río El Tambor (Figure 22, below). It is quite possible that a similar path was also used in antiquity.

Click on image to enlarge

Click on image to enlarge

Grouped around a central plaza, the architecture of Terrace 2 is the most developed in formal organization and labor at Sitio Aguilucho, and probably constitutes the public, ceremonial center of the site. A large platform roughly 2 meters in height and 17 meters in width bounds much of the northeastern portion of the plaza. From the rear, eastern side of the platform, the terrain drops steeply to the Quebrada Seca, and it is likely that individuals going to or from Terrace 1 or the jade sources of the Quebrada Seca would pass through the narrow portion of the plaza west of this platform.

The platform supports three superstructures, with Structure 1 occupying the eastern side. Structure 1 is delineated by stone alignments clearly demarcating a broad rectangular platform and its interior superstructure. Structure 2, located on the southeastern portion of the platform, is built from a serpentine outcrop that still projects above the surface of the supporting platform. Much of this natural outcrop was exposed from a recent looter’s pit that dug into the upper center of Structure 2. At the northwest side of the supporting platform, there is Structure 3, which faces west toward the narrow, northern portion of the plaza. At the base of the stairway, a fragmentary schist carving was found, roughly 60 centimeters in length and 50 centimeters in width, with one end rounded by bifacial knapping. It is possible that this object was a part of a simple stela, and it will be noted that a similar schist carving was found atop Structure 6 of Terrace 2. In the Motagua Valley, schist stelae and other monuments are known for Quirigua, including a cylindrical plain stela found in Group C, roughly four kilometers from the Main Group (Sharer 1990:72-77).

Structures 4 to 7 are a series of platforms that follow a serpentine outcrop, with the lowest construction being Structure 4, located near the center of the plaza. Structure 4 is the tallest platform at Sitio Aguilucho, and is roughly 2.5 meters high at its southern, frontal side (Figure 25). The stairway on the frontal side has been largely destroyed by a recent looter’s trench that extends into the center of the platform. East of the looter’s trench, the exterior surface of the southern side is still well-preserved, and indicates that the platform had steep, almost vertical walls faced with schist blocks. However, large serpentine blocks are also visible at the southeast and southwest corners, suggesting that the platform corners were first made by serpentine boulders that were then covered by the exterior schist surface.

Directly behind and to the north of Structure 4 are Structures 5 and 6, low and simple platforms that continue up the surface of the serpentine outcrop. Portions of the outcrop are visible on the southern edge of Structure 5, indicating that much of this platform was carved from the original bedrock. In addition, schist facing can be observed on the sides of Structure 5. A probable fragmentary stelae was found atop the surface of Structure 6. Carved with a well-rounded end, probably the top, the fragment is 46 cm long, 33 cm wide, and 13 cm thick. Above and to the east of Structure 6 is Structure 7, which is the highest platform in the Terrace 2 group. Lined with schist slabs, the platform surface is covered with serpentine pebbles, which clearly constituted the fill of this structure.

The southern portion of the Terrace 2 plaza is bounded by Structures 8, 9 and 10. Structure 8, on the western side of the plaza, will be discussed subsequently with the description of Terrace 3. Structure 9 directly abuts the hillside rising above the south side of the plaza. A series of three stone alignments can be discerned, although from the surface it is not clear whether these were part of a broad stairway or the edges of three terraces. Structure 10 is a low, poorly preserved platform with schist facing near the southeast corner of the plaza.

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