Isla Piedras: A Northern Campeche Coast Seaport as Part of a Regional Polity

Conclusions

To date, the ceramic analysis suggests that the major period of occupation at Isla Piedras began during the Early Classic, reaching a maximum in the Late Classic. The obsidian materials recovered at Isla Piedras support the chronology proposed by the ceramic analysis. Ninety-one percent of the obsidian artifacts found at Isla Piedras come from the source at El Chayal, Guatemala, which has been identified by Nelson (2003) as the preferred obsidian source in the Mayan area from the Early Classic to the end of the Terminal Classic.

By analyzing the map that was made of Isla Piedras, it was possible to propose the arrangement of the architectural elements of the site from the Late Classic to the last moment of occupation. On the western portion of the island, these architectural elements include a large foundation, a platform, five structures, and a semi-closed plaza (which likely had an altar at its center). The presence of these constructions, along with their distribution around the central plaza, suggests that the site likely had an administrative function. Furthermore, due to its location on the coast and the non-local materials collected during surface surveys, it can be strongly suggested that Isla Piedras was a port that participated in a maritime trade network, supporting a regional polity.

The most important and nearest site to Isla Piedras is Jaina, which has a shared chronology with Isla Piedras during the Late Classic. According to Sauri et al. (2005:230), the Late Classic and Terminal Classic were the periods of principal occupation at Jaina, which continued to be an active site until the Post Classic (Barba 2003; Zaragoza and Dávila 2002). Jaina has three architectural groups, several plazas, a ball court, and hieroglyphic inscriptions, which, in comparison with Isla Piedras, make it an administrative site of greater hierarchy.

In conclusion, the evidence found at Isla Piedras suggests that this site had a role as an administrative port with access to non-local materials such as basalt and obsidian, and which allowed the movement of objects from both distant and nearby regions. During the Late Classic period, Isla Piedras was a lower-ranking site associated with Jaina, forming part of a regional polity that embraced the coastline and inland areas of the north Campeche coastal zone.

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