Belize Ritual Caves Project

Attenuated History of Cave Research in Belize–Data Acquisition Strategy

Beginning at least as early as 1918 with the work of Thomas Gann (1918), Captain Joyce (Joyce et al., 1928), and Gregory Mason (1928), cave studies in Belize have enjoyed a colorful if somewhat irregular history. It was not, however, until the early 1950’s and 60’s after the installment of A. Hamilton Anderson as the first Archaeological Commissioner, that cave studies in Belize could be said to have truly begun. Together with cave enthusiasts Frank Norris and Ford Young, and after 1961 with archaeologist David Pendergast, Anderson would go on to explore and record numerous caves in Belize until his death in 1967.

While Anderson’s published accounts (cf. Anderson, 1952) clearly telegraph his abiding interest in Maya cave use, it is in his unpublished papers and personal photographs that his fascination becomes apparent. Archived in England by his family since 1967, Anderson’s personal papers, journals, extensive photographic collection, and mementos from his years in Belize present the contemporary archaeologist with a wealth of irreplaceable data. In 1996 permission was received from the Anderson family to evaluate and incorporate this data into my research. In addition to papers, over 260 photographs were obtained and have been digitized (Figure 1). These include the only complete photo record of the excavations at Las Cuevas conducted in 1957 by Anderson with Adrian Digby of the British Museum. Adrian Digby has also provided me with a copy of the only detailed report of excavations at the caves (Digby, n.d.). Together with the photographs it is now possible for the first time to assess more fully the extensive modifications at the site of Las Cuevas.

David Pendergast who has allowed me access to his previously unpublished cave photographs has also contributed significantly to the development of a detailed photographic record for this early period of cave research in Belize.

By 1984 a total of 65 cave sites were reported (Hartshorn et al., 1984:133-136 Appendix A), although only a handful had undergone systematic excavation and been published (cf. Pendergast, 1962; 1964; 1966; 1968; 1969; 1970; 1971; 1971a; 1972; 1974; Graham, McNatt and Gutchen, 1984; Palacio, 1977). This rapid increase in the number of known caves was largely a result of the efforts of a group of dedicated spelunkers assigned to the Belizean Department of Archaeology (DOA) under a joint Smithsonian - Peace Corp initiative. However, the thrust of this program was to a great extent designed to aid the DOA to locate and thus monitor archaeological cave resources that were to a growing extent at risk from the activities of looters (Figure 2). As a result, while preliminary mapping and limited surface collections were conducted, little excavation was undertaken and virtually none of this information has reached print in any form. With the invaluable assistance, including access to personal notes and photographs of Logan McNatt, and Barbara McLeod, among others, much of this data has now been examined, synthesized and incorporated into the current research.

In addition to cave investigation with an archaeological thrust, throughout the 1970’s, 1980’s, and to this date, other researchers were taking interest in the caves of Belize. Among these, Tom Miller, a karst geologist and avid cave enthusiast stands out for his contributions. While Miller’s list of publications is extensive (cf. Miller, n.d.a; n.d.b.; 1974; 1979; 1980; 1981a; 1981b; 1984a; 1984b; 1985; 19686a; 1986b; 1986c; 1986d; 1989a; 1989b; 1989c; 1989d; 1989e; 1989f; 1989g; 1989h; 1990a; 1990b; 1991; among others), the significance of his work to archaeological cave research in Belize has not been widely recognized due to its presentation in caving oriented journals.

Among the numerous caves Miller discovered, explored, and surveyed both on his own and with others - perhaps his most striking contribution in archaeological terms was the discovery of the Chiquibul System in 1982 (Miller, 1984a:1). With funding from the National Geographic Society, the expedition members mapped over 100 km of passage during three seasons, 1984, 1986, and 1988. Logan McNatt participated in the 1984 and 1986 seasons as the project archaeologist. During that time extensive notes and plans, photographs and maps of the Actun Kabal Group were produced (cf. McNatt, n.d.a; n.d.b; n.d.c; 1984a; 1984b; 1984c; 1984d; 1986). This Group in the Chiquibul System exhibits areas of extensive modification, particularly in the Chiquibul Chamber, Ledge of Offerings, and Kotob Entrance. Where the System extends into Guatemala, elaborate modifications have been reported at Actun Zactun (Figure 3) (cf. Bloesser, 1986; McNatt, 1986; Miller, 1986d), and Actun Xibalba (Miller, n.d.a; 1986d; 1989a).

While progress reports were completed for the National Geographic Society, filed with the DOA, and numerous brief articles published (cf. McNatt and Miller, above), without synthetic treatment the Chiquibul System remains poorly known. With the assistance of numerous Chiquibul Project participants, and the unflagging enthusiasm of Logan McNatt, much of this material has now been acquired and will be made available to the archaeological community through inclusion in my dissertation.

The late 1980’s and early ’90’s also saw the arrival on the Belize caving scene of a number of well organized and funded caving expeditions from the U.K. Of particular note are the various projects of Queen Mary College/Below Belize (Marachov & Williams, eds. 1992; Marachov and Williams, 1989; Roberts, 1986; 1990; Williams, 1988; 1989; 1992a; 1992b; 1994; 1996; Williams, ed. 1992; Williams and Clark, 1990). As with the work of Tom Miller, while well published within the caving venue - much of this material has remained well outside the purview of archaeological inquiry. With the assistance of Nick Williams and the British caving community, particularly in the area of clarifying numerous cave locations, this information will be incorporated into the archaeological record.

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