Dieseldorff Collection: Ceramic Corpus of the Terminal Classic Originating from Molds

Conclusions

The invaluable contribution Erwin P. Dieseldorff made by documenting his excavations, as well as his interest in understanding the archaeology of the Verapaces region, make him, even today, a reference for investigation in the region and a pioneer in the field.

The collection consists, in its majority, of large-sized figurines, molds, whistles and "thrones", all with the iconography that is characteristic of the Maya Lowlands, which is an indicator of the interaction that went on between these areas and the Verapaces region. Because of the iconic themes, the quantities and context in which the artifacts deemed "thrones" were found, as well as the present lack of evidence that they were elements distributed outside of San Pedro Carchá, I consider that they could have been part of a local tradition, possibly associated with some ritual that carried along with it the reproduction of sounds. We must also underline the fact that some of the samples from the MUNAE were burned, and that in general they were fragmented at their weakest junctures, which could have been caused naturally.

In spite of the fact that no formal study regarding the pastes was undertaken, we observe that there are differences between the molds and the ceramics derived from them. Therefore, there is a possibility that an imported primary material exists for the manufacture of the molds.

Upon the finalization of this first phase of investigation, more questions than answers have arisen. Nonetheless, I have made the corresponding contacts to be able to include in future studies, the culmination of the inventory of the Collection, and also to be able to make public a series of unpublished manuscripts, drawings and photographs, which are found in the archives of the Dieseldorff family.

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