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FAMSI © 2000: Robert Sharer |
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Early Copán Acropolis Program 1995-1997 Field Seasons THE 1996 FIELD SEASON The 1996 ECAP research supported by FAMSI continued the excavation, documentation, and conservation efforts already described. Much of this effort involved excavations conducted to verify horizontal and vertical architectural connections in both the Northeast Court and Southern Temple Complexes, representing two of the earliest areas beneath the Acropolis. The major goal of the 1996 season was met when, by the close of work, all tunnel excavations had been completed. In this area some of the earliest remains of activity beneath the Acropolis were investigated by several stratigraphic excavations. The previously excavated stratipits in the masonry buildings of Court Group 4 were used to further probe deeper underlying levels, revealing traces of the earliest constructions in this area. Further excavation of the tunnel beneath Court Group 4B defined the south facade of the eastern substructure of Court 5B (Cominos; see Map 1 and Figure 1). Additional work in several stratipits also improved the definition of the other early adobe palaces of Court Group 5. To the west of Court Group 5B, continued tunneling defined the southern side of Tartan, a low adobe structure that defines the boundary between the earliest Ball Court Complex to the north, and the Acropolis to the south. In the course of this work several partially preserved painted graffiti, apparently representations of Maya deities, were found on the plaster floor adjacent to Tartan structure. These graffiti were carefully cleaned and recorded by both conventional and infrared film. Work in Court Complex 3 (Figure 9) was completed during 1996 by several brief excavations. A small probe was placed beneath a burned area of floor in one of the masonry buildings of Court Group 4B (Loro; see Figure 7) to check for possible earlier construction or activity, but no signs of unusual activity were found. In 1996 work in the penultimate court complex was resumed (Figure 10). The tunnel west of the Sub-Jaguar Tomb was extended to trace the eastern edge of an extensive floor cut. This proved to be the line of an anciently demolished terrace that defined the western edge of Court Group 2B. In the Sub-Jaguar Tomb itself, the last objects on the tomb floor were cleared and conserved, concentrating on a cluster of cut shell discs beneath the burial slab and fragments of two now-disintegrated stuccoed gourds along the southern wall. Once registered these objects were transported to the field laboratory for conservation and study. Continued tunnel excavations defined the extent and limits of the earliest Acropolis platforms and their structures, along with associated features (tombs, burials, and drains). At the eastern base of the early Acropolis complex, the major axial tunnel was deepened to clarify and record the stratigraphic relationships within the core of the first Acropolis Platform. The pivotal structure on this initial Acropolis platform, Hunal (Map 1 and Figure 1), was a major focus of work during the 1996 field season. Some 4 meters of new tunnel was excavated on the north side of the substructure to further document its unique talud-tablero facade. This work discovered a vestige of a north-facing outset staircase and a well-preserved portion of the talud-tablero facade extending east of the stairs (both originally painted red). This verified a northward orientation for Hunal first proposed as a result of the 1995 excavations. This orientation is especially significant since it contrasts with the western orientation followed by all its successors constructed at this same location, right up to the final structure, 10L-16, built during the reign of Copán’s last known ruler. The vaulted masonry tomb chamber intruded into Hunal was also the focus of work in 1996. This effort was aimed at recording the structure and contents of the tomb as a prelude to consolidation and detailed investigation (planned to begin in 1997). As a result, the size and condition of the tomb were documented. A small opening in the vault allowed visual inspection, measurements, and photography. The tomb measures some 2.5 m long, 1.5 m wide, and 1.7 m high. It holds a single raised stone burial slab, completely intact, that occupies most of the floor area. On this slab the bones of a single individual could be seen, although obscured by fallen debris. By the midpoint of the 1996 season a short excavation reached the best entry point along the western wall of the tomb. On March 12, after exposing and recording the exterior wall masonry, several masonry blocks were removed to open the first entrance to the burial chamber. From this entry an array of undisturbed Early Classic funerary vessels was recorded beneath the burial slab. Also revealed were several carved jade ornaments among the fallen debris on the burial slab. The entire tomb and its contents was recorded by photography, video tape, and scaled drawings. Dr. Jane Buikstra made a preliminary assessment of the bones on the burial slab, indicating that the buried individual was a robust adult male over 50 years of age at death. The remainder of the 1996 season was devoted to beginning the consolidation of the interior masonry of the Hunal tomb. By the end of the 1996 season it was clear that the Hunal Tomb was the earliest of a sequence of royal tombs beneath the Acropolis. Furthermore, the stratigraphic position and context of the Hunal tomb suggested it most likely held the remains of Yax K’uk’ Mo’, identified in later Copán inscriptions as the dynastic founder who reigned at ca. A.D. 426-437. The means to test this postulated identity were defined as part of subsequent research planned for the Hunal Tomb beginning in 1997. During the 1996 season the other major focus of research in the early Acropolis was the Margarita Tomb. Work throughout the season continued to record, conserve, and remove the fragile organic offerings (matting, textiles, and similar materials) in the upper chamber of this elaborate tomb. In the lower burial chamber careful excavation of fallen debris by Christopher Powell succeeded in fully exposing and documenting the bones and associated adornments of the single interred individual inside. Dr. Jane Buikstra also made an assessment of these bones, indicating that the buried individual was an adult female 50 years or older at death. This finding indicates that Copán’s most elaborate and venerated tomb was that of the most important woman in Copán’s history. Based on the 1996 findings a working hypothesis, to be tested by subsequent research, was formulated, namely that this woman was the wife of Yax K’uk’ Mo’ and mother of the second king, honored as the dynastic matriarch. The woman in the Margarita Tomb was adorned by a stunning array of jade, shell, and other artifacts, all recorded by photography, video tape, and scaled drawings. After their full documentation in situ, David Sedat and Helen Bell began the removal of these adornments, starting with the materials around the feet and leg bones (north end of the northern burial slab fragment). All artifacts removed from the tomb were registered into the ECAP computer database and transported to the field laboratory where they were conserved and placed in secure storage pending further recording and study. Work also continued on Burial 95-1 ("the Tlaloc Warrior"), begun in 1995. According to plan, the previously conserved adornments of jade and shell that accompanied this burial were removed after final documentation in situ. Dr. Jane Buikstra again made an assessment of the bones, indicating that the buried individual was a robust adult male approximately 40 years of age at death. As part of this assessment, the fragmentary skull was removed for examination. Both the skull fragments and adornments were registered and transported to the field laboratory for conservation and study. |
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