An Archaeological Investigation of the Origins of Cacao Drinking:
The Ceramic Evidence from the Gulf Coast and Pacific Coast of México
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Research Year:  2006
Culture:  Olmec, Maya
Chronology:  Early Pre-Classic
Location:  Gulf Coast and Pacific Coast, México
Sites:  San Lorenzo, El Manatí, El Paraíso, El Merced, Cantón Corralito, Paso de la Amada

Table of Contents

Abstract
Resumen
Introduction
Previous Research
Current Research
Methodology
Results
Significance of Research
Acknowledgements
List of Figures
Sources Cited

Abstract

Recent research has revealed that the Maya Lowlands may have been one of the first areas in which beverages made from cacao (chocolate) were prepared and consumed. Powis and colleagues have identified traces of chocolate in spouted jars from the site of Colha, Belize, dating to ca. 600 B.C. The proposed project for the summer of 2006 had two main objectives: (1) to provide additional chemical evidence to support the early use of cacao by testing ceramic vessels from a number of Olmec sites, such as San Lorenzo, El Manatí, El Paraíso, El Merced, and Cantón Corralito; and (2) to test the hypothesis put forth by Clarke and Blake (1994) that the first ceramic vessels dating to the Early Preclassic Barra Phase (1600-1400 B.C.) from the site of Paso de la Amada were special containers used for serving ritual drinks made from chocolate.

Resumen

La investigación reciente ha revelado que las Tierras Bajas Mayas pueden haber sido una de las primeras áreas en las cuales las bebidas hechas del cacao (chocolate) fueron preparadas y consumidas. Powis y sus colegas han identificado rastros del chocolate en jarras con pico del sitio de Colha, Belice, pasando de moda a ca. 600 a.C. El proyecto propuesto para el verano del 2006 tuvo dos objetivos principales: (1) para proporcionar pruebas químicas adicionales para comprobar el uso temprano de cacao probando vasijas de cerámica de varios sitios Olmec, como San Lorenzo, El Manatí, El Paraíso, El Merced, y Cantón Corralito; y (2) para comprobar la hipótesis hecha por Clarke y Blake (1994) que las primeras vasijas de cerámica que pasan de moda a la Fase de Preclásico Temprana Barra (1600-1400 a.C.) del sitio de Paso de la Amada eran contenedores especiales usados para servir bebidas rituales hechas del chocolate.

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Submitted 03/06/2007 by:
Terry G. Powis
Department of Geography and Anthropology
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Road
Social Science Building #22, Room 2203
Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591
tpowis@kennesaw.edu

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