Cancuén Archaeological Project

Mapping and Reconnaissance

Much of the 1999 survey was spent mapping mounds and mound groups south of Cancuén’s epicenter. Survey in this zone revealed dense populations continuing from the palace precinct approximately 800 meters south to the bend in the Pasión River. Three groups were identified (Groups D, E, and F) and plotted and mapped (Figure 3 and Figure 4) though the distinction between Groups D and E is merely based on distance. Settlement in this area was continuous over an area of approximately 350 x 200 meters with a total of forty-four structures mapped from these two groups. In general, the larger mounds are those closest to the palace group immediately to the north and as one proceeds south the mounds decrease in size.

Group F, located at the bend in the river to the south, represents the southern edge of occupation identified during the 1999 survey. A mound 22 x 10 meters and 2 meters high and its accompanying plaza group dominate this area. Surrounding these structures are numerous low-lying "mounds". Test pits in 20 of these yielded 13 mounds with artifacts. Given the low height of these platforms and the apparent open area between Groups D/E and F it is likely that there are other "hidden", non-platform structures in this area.

The terrain to the north of the palace, where Group A is located, descends gradually before sharply rising up a natural hill that was modified in antiquity with large facing stones from the riverside below. A number of additional mounds (Group G) were discovered atop this hill (Figure 5). North of the hillcrest, the terrain descends again into an area that appears to have been modified into a series of terraces. Several mounds follow at least two terraces on this face. Group G is dominated by a 6 meter high mound that had contained a large tomb, now heavily looted. The area farther to the north rises into another hill. A short reconnaissance in the area yielded additional settlement that will be further examined in subsequent field seasons.

Mapping operations in the core itself consisted of recording a new ballcourt (structures 12 and 13) and the re-mapping of several existing structures (9, 10, and 11) which had been previously plotted by the Harvard Seibal Project in 1967 (Figure 6). Of these previously mapped buildings, the parallel orientation of structures 9 and 10 may indicate yet another ballcourt.

In addition to the continued survey of areas immediately surrounding Cancuén itself, local informants’ reports of sites within the greater region will also be investigated in future seasons in order to fill in gaps in the ancient landscape for this largely unknown territory.

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