Investigations of Middle Preclassic Public Architecture at the site of Blackman Eddy, Belize

Early Middle Preclassic Construction Phases of Str. B1

Three construction phases have been encountered dating to the early Middle Preclassic time period, Str. B1-4th, Str. B1-5th, and Str. B1-6th. Each construction phase is quite unusual and is associated with elaborate ritual deposits. The investigation of the early structures at Blackman Eddy is a unique opportunity due to the excavation methodology employed on Str. B1.  The large horizontal block excavations allowed for a detailed examination of some of the earliest public architecture encountered in the Maya lowlands. In order for a clear understanding of the complex stratigraphy associated with the earliest architecture, the early Middle Preclassic construction phases of Str. B1 will be discussed in detail beginning with the earliest structure encountered to date. This will also allow for a better understanding of the construction techniques employed by the ancient Maya.

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