Early Copán Acropolis Program 1995-1997 Field Seasons
Latest Findings at Copán, Honduras

THE 1997 FIELD SEASON

With the ending of all new tunnels excavations in 1996, the focus of ECAP field research in 1997 shifted to completing a series of tasks begun in previous seasons. This involved intensive investigations in the two earliest royal tombs (Hunal and Margarita), final research in a third royal tomb (Sub-Jaguar), and the completion of work in Burial 95-1, in addition to a multitude of recording tasks. But the major focus of the 1997 research was the continuation of work in the Hunal and Margarita Tombs. Two teams of ECAP researchers conducted the Hunal and Margarita tombs simultaneously, with assistance from several consultants (Loa Traxler for excavation and recording, Lynn Grant and Harriet Beaubien for conservation, Jane Buikstra for physical anthropology, and Bunny Coates and Bill Castleman for photography).

Hunal Tomb

As revealed during preliminary investigations during the previous two seasons, this vaulted tomb chamber contains the bones of a single individual placed on a stone bier, adorned by several large and spectacular jade objects. The bones are of a robust male, a little over 5’ 6" tall, who was probably 55 or older when he died. Investigation in 1997 was conducted by an excavation team composed of Robert Sharer and Christopher Powell. The initial effort succeeded in clearing the fallen debris from the burial slab, and the bones and artifacts thus revealed were thoroughly recorded by photography, plan drawings, video tape, and digital images. The adornments on the burial slab consist of an array of cut shell spangles (associated with the cranium), an apple green jade bead carved with a mat motif (probably originally placed in the mouth of the individual), a large plain jade bar pectoral, a jade ear flare and perforated disk (all associated with the torso area), an array of stingray spines and cut bone awls or perforators (adjacent to the lower left leg), and a cluster of jaguar canines (associated with the right lower leg).

The tomb floor was also cleared, and as a result more objects were discovered on the floor along the sides of the burial slab. These include shell and jade beads, two shell earflares, an array of cut shell "spangles," a jade earflare and perforated jade disk (matching the set found on the burial slab), and two additional pottery vessels. In addition, most of the bones from the arms, hands, and feet were found on the tomb floor. While the pottery vessels and at least some of the smaller objects must have been deliberately placed on the floor during interment, it seems clear that the bones, the jade earflare and disk, and some of the other objects were subsequently displaced to the floor from the burial slab.

In the course of this work several pigment samples were taken for identification by analysis at the Smithsonian Institution. Also removed were three carbon samples for potential radiocarbon age assessments. The clearing of the bones, and Dr. Jane Buikstra’s detailed assessments, revealed that there was a severe premortim fracture of the right forearm, an injury that apparently crippled the individual for the remainder of his life, and severe arthritis of the left shoulder.

Limited in situ conservation was done by Lynn Grant in three areas within the tomb: one stuccoed vessel accessible along the east wall of the chamber, a small shell cluster near the position originally occupied by the right hand bones (displaced to the floor), and several threatened cut shell "spangles" immediately west of the cranium. The 1997 works established the foundation for the registry and removal of the objects in the tomb, planned to begin in the 1998 season.

Margarita Tomb

The 1996 excavation team composed of David Sedat and Ellen Bell continued the work in the Margarita burial chamber during the 1997 field season. The 1997 season work was devoted to carefully recording and conserving this burial, and continuing the process of registering and removing objects from the burial slab. Previous work had identified the burial to be that of an elderly female individual, age of 55 years or older, interred on a stone burial slab now broken into a northern fragment (legs and feet) and southern fragment (upper body). This individual was honored by an extraordinary display of adornments of jade, shell, and other materials. By the end of the 1997 season, Sedat and Bell had succeeded in clearing the northern portion of the broken burial slab, including the recording and removal of well over 10,000 tiny jade beads, the leg bones (stored in an adjacent tunnel storage area), a large quantity of red pigment, and other associated artifacts. A continuous record of this process was made by photography, drawings, video tape, and digital images. As with Hunal, pigment samples (hematite and cinnabar) were removed for analysis by Smithsonian Institution.

Dr. Jane Buikstra continued her assessments of the interred bones.  In situ conservation consultation was done by Lynn Grant during the process of clearing of the contents on the northern slab. The completion of clearing the northern slab fragment, and its protection by the construction of wooden decking, sets the stage for the research planned for the 1998 season. This will involve further entry to the south to remove fallen debris remaining on the tomb floor, and ready access to the southern slab fragment where the upper portion of the interment and the bulk of the jade and shell adornments remain in situ. The same process used for clearing the northern slab fragment will be used to register and remove the complex array of objects on the southern slab fragment.

In the adjacent upper offering chamber, following further recording and documentation measures, Harriet Beaubien and Lynn Grant succeeded in lifting the remainder of the objects scheduled for registry and removal. These included a completely disintegrated jade mosaic object and most of the remains of an apparent basket and its contents. Other organic remains on the floor of the upper chamber were tentatively identified as animal pelt(s), woven textile(s), and petates. Plans call for these to be removed in 1998.

After renewed consultation with William Fash and Rudy Larios, plans were made for casting the adjacent Xucpi Stone which contains an especially important text from the reign of Ruler 2 (9.0.2.0.0 or A.D. 437). Once cast, plans call for the removal of the stone for eventual museum display. As a first step in the process, the stone was thoroughly cleaned, threatened surface areas were consolidated, and a detailed scaled drawing of the text begun. A comprehensive plan for the conservation, casting, and removal of the Xucpi Stone has been drafted by David Sedat, based on the recommendations of Grant, Beaubien, and Larios.

Other Human Burials

Final work on Burial 95-1, the "Tlaloc Warrior," (located west of Margarita structure) was completed in March 1997.  This was accomplished by the lifting of the final grave offering, a large fill block containing a fragile stucco-painted object, slated for detailed excavation and consolidation in the Centro laboratory in 1998.  Dr. Jane Buikstra then made her final assessments of the in situ bones, and removed all samples deemed necessary for her research. At the end of the season the remaining bones were cushioned with fine earth and the excavation containing this burial was backfilled.

A similar process completed work on a second interment, Burial 94-1, the "Northern Guardian" (located north of the Margarita Tomb). Dr. Jane Buikstra completed her final assessments of the in situ bones, and removed all samples deemed necessary for her research. The remaining bones were cushioned with fine earth and the excavation containing this burial was then back filled.

Court Group 2

The 1997 season saw the completion of ECAP investigations in the Northeast Court area. This work involved the registry and removal of a broken Early Classic vessel cached above the Sub-Jaguar tomb, and the final mapping of adjacent Court Group 2A areas. In addition, the last architectural units in Court 2A levels were catalogued. The remainder of the ECAP tunnels in the Court 2A area are now ready to be fumed over to IHAH for expanded future visitor access (adjacent to the presently open visitor tunnels; see Figure 11).

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