The Uxbenká Archaeological Project (UAP) 2006 Field Season
With contributions by: Dr. Andrew Kindon, Dr. Holley Moyes, Dr. Douglas Kennett, Dr. Kevin Cannariato, Shoshaunna Parks, Bethany Myers, Charles Mustain, and Nancy Komulainen
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Research Year:  2006
Culture:  Maya
Chronology:  Late Preclassic to Early Classic
Location:  Toledo District, Belize
Site:  Uxbenká

Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Archaeological Excavations at Uxbenká
Excavations in the Group A Stelae Plaza
Excavations in the Group D Ballcourt
Excavations in Group L Residential Compound
The 2006 Cave Survey
Paleoclimate Research: Preliminary Collections of Speleothem Fragments from Yok Balum
Community Outreach in Santa Cruz, Toledo District, Belize
Acknowledgements
List of Figures
Sources Cited

Abstract

The following is a report on FAMSI funded research conducted in 2006 by the Uxbenká Archaeological Project (UAP). Fieldwork was preformed between May 20^th and July 3^rd 2006 under permits issued by the Institute of Archaeology (IA) and the Institute of Social and Cultural Research (ISCR), National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), Government of Belize.

Archaeological studies were directed by Dr. Keith M. Prufer, along with co-PI Dr. Andrew Kindon. Other research programs undertaken by the UAP in 2006 include a pilot for a cave survey program led by Dr. Holley Moyes; sampling of speleothems for development of a rainfall proxy organized by Dr. Kevin Cannariato, Dr. Douglas Kennett, Dr. Keith Prufer, and Brendan Culleton; and applied and anthropological research within the Mopan Maya speaking community of Santa Cruz conducted by Ms. Shoshaunna Parks along with and under the direction of co-PI Dr. Rebecca Zarger and Prufer. Additional project participants in 2006 included Charles Mustain, Bethany Myers, Dr. Mark Aldenderfer, and Nancy Komulainen as well as numerous residents of the village of Santa Cruz.

This UAP is investigating Uxbenká, a small but significant site located in the Toledo Uplands of southern Belize. There, hieroglyphic texts from the 4^th century suggest a political relationship with the large urban center of Tikal though they do not specify the nature of this relationship. The UAP is utilizing data from intensive archaeological survey and excavations to investigate Uxbenká's settlement history and regional and long-distance economic and political ties over time.

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The Uxbenká Archaeological Project (UAP) 2006 Field Season  (3.19 MB)
by Keith M. Prufer

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Submitted 09/15/2007 by:
Keith M. Prufer, Ph.D.
Department of Anthropology
Wichita State University
keith.prufer@wichita.edu

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