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

Terrace 3

The western side of the Terrace 2 plaza drops roughly a meter down to the plaza of Terrace 3 (Figure 22, Figure 26 and Figure 27). The boundary between the two plazas is marked by a stone wall. Although many of the stones were clearly placed by recent farming activity, Structure 8 clearly indicates that the plazas were at two distinct levels, as there is a stairway at the western side leading down into the plaza of Terrace 3. In Terrace 3 there is a considerable amount of jade debitage and partially worked jade artifacts, including celt blanks, as well as sherds. This is in contrast to Terrace 2, where surface artifacts are largely limited to ceramic material. In addition, jade debitage also appears on the slope below the west side of Terrace 3, suggesting this area was used for discarding debitage and other material. The area below Terrace 3 and Terrace 4 is rich in midden, with stream erosion indicating depths to at least 30 cm. The platforms of Terrace 3 are generally smaller and less elaborate than those of Terrace 2. The highest and northernmost of these is a simple platform cut into the side of the same hill supporting Structures 4 to 7 of Terrace 2. Below this are Structures 2 and 3 which face directly upon the north side of the Terrace 3 plaza. At the western edge of the north side, there is Structure 4, a low platform that was fronted with schist blocks. Structures 5 and 6 are located on the west edge of the plaza, close to where the terrain drops sharply down to the midden area and lower portion of Terrace 4. These two structures were not raised platforms but walled buildings, the foundations of which appear as rock alignments. Structure 5 is the only building on the south side of the plaza, and is composed of four broad terraces lined with laja stones, the material probably deriving from a nearby outcrop southwest of Terrace 3.

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