Image - Cacao Pod Vessel - K6706 © Justin Kerr FAMSI © 2008:
Elizabeth Graham
 

Lamanai Historic Monuments Conservation Project: Recording and Consolidation of New Church Architectural Features at Lamanai, Belize
With contributions by: Claude Belanger

Figure 3. Ruins of the two Spanish churches. The stone chancel-chapel of YDL II is in the background. In the foreground is the central part of YDL I. Visible are the south stair of YDL I, the razed Tulum-style temple over which YDL I was built; and to the right, the steps leading up to the altar/sanctuary. The photo looks north-northeast.
Click on image to enlarge.

Research Year:  2007
Culture:  Maya
Chronology:  Colonial, Mid-16th to Early 17th Century
Location:  Indian Church, Orange Walk District, Belize
Site:  Lamanai

Table of Contents

Abstract
Resumen
Introduction
The Spanish missions at Lamanai and Tipú
Past research at Lamanai
Discoveries
Yglesias de Lamanai I, Str. N12-11, the first church at Lamanai
"Tulum" (Terminal Postclassic) structure over which YDL I was built
Yglesias de Lamanai II, Str. N12-13, the second church at Lamanai
Summary
Acknowledgments
List of Figures
Sources Cited

Abstract

Archaeological investigations at Lamanai, situated along the New River Lagoon in northern Belize, have revealed two highly important churches from the Spanish Colonial period. During excavations and survey otherwise focused on tourism development in 2003 and 2004, new features of the earlier church were uncovered. In 2007, the National Institute for Culture and History in Belize (NICH)–through the Belize Institute of Archaeology (IoA) and under the direction of Jaime Awe and John Morris as part of the Lamanai Historic Monuments Conservation Project (LHMCP)–began consolidation and partial reconstruction of Spanish and British colonial period structures at Lamanai. Support was provided by the U.S. State Department's Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation. Expertise from the Institute was also provided by Brian Woodye, George Thompson, and Jorge Can, all of whom played pivotal roles in the coordination, execution and ultimate success of the project. The project's focus included the two Spanish churches as well as the 19th century British sugar mill. The emergency funds received from FAMSI facilitated expanded investigation and recording of the new church features under the direction of Claude Belanger, which complemented the Belize government's consolidation program at the site. Results comprise the discovery of a new courtyard or atrio associated with the first church along with caches dating to the colonial period. In addition, discovery of holes for posts supporting the perishable nave of the second church–the evidence for which has thus far been elusive–provided us with the dimensions of the original colonial structure.

Resumen

Investigaciones arqueológicas en el sitio de Lamanai, situado al lado de la Laguna Río Nuevo en la parte septentrional del país de Belice, han revelado dos iglesias de suma importancia del período Hispanocolonial. En el curso de excavaciones y exploraciones enfocadas primariamente en desarrollo turístico durante los años 2003 y 2004, se descubrieron nuevos elementos de la iglesia más temprana. En el año 2007, el Instituto Nacional para Cultura e Historia en Belice (NICH), por medio del Instituto Beliceño de Arqueología (IOA) y dirigidbajo la dirección de los Drs. Jaime Awe y John Morris, empezó la consolidación y la reconstrucción parcial de estructuras hispanocoloniales y britanocoloniales en Lamanai, apoyado por el Fondo del Embajador para Preservación Cultural del Departamento de Estado de los EE.UU. Conocimientos expertos provinientes del Instituto fueron proveídos también por los Srs. Brian Woodye, George Thompson, y Jorge Can, todos de los cuales jugaron papeles fundamentales en cuanto a la coordinación, la ejecución, y ultimadamente el éxito del proyecto. El enfoque del proyecto abarcaba las dos iglesias hispánicas igual como el trapiche británico del siglo XIX. Los fondos de emergencia proveidos por FAMSI facilitaron una investigación ampliada y la planificación de nuevos elementos de las iglesias, dirigido por el Sr. Claude Bélanger, un esfuerzo que complementó el programa de consolidación del gobierno de Belice en el sitio. Los resultados el trabajo comprenden el descubrimiento de un atrio nuevo, asociado con la primera iglesia, junto con ofrendas que datan del período colonial. Fuera de esto, el descubrimiento de hoyos que indican las posiciones de los postes que sostuvieron el techo perecedero de la nave de la segunda iglesia–evidencia de los cuales ha quedado hasta ahora esquiva–nos ha proveido con las dimensiones de la estructura colonial original.


Click to download the report in PDF format:

Lamanai Historic Monuments Conservation Project: Recording and Consolidation of New Church Architectural Features at Lamanai, Belize  (2.26 MB)

The PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
To download the latest version, click the Get Acrobat Reader button below.

Get Acrobat Reader

Submitted 10/18/2007 by:
Elizabeth Graham
Institute of Archaeology
e.graham@ucl.ac.uk

Return to top of page