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

Structure B1-6th

As was stated above, Str. B1-6th was encountered during the 1998 field season. A small section of the front wall and summit surface was exposed. Excavation revealed that prior to its construction, ground surface was cleaned and a portion of bedrock was leveled. It is not known if earlier domestic or non-domestic remains were removed in this process. This cleaning and leveling process has been observed at other sites as well, and may indicate ritual purification of the location (Brown, 1995; Garber et al., n.d.). Present data suggests that Str. B1-6th is a single tiered platform approximately .45 m in height. Although the platform is relatively low, it appears to be quite expansive. The basal tread of the sustaining wall consisted of a single course of limestone masonry. Unfortunately the other courses were removed in antiquity. The summit surface was finished with a thick lime plaster. Evidence of a superstructure was not encountered, however the excavation area was limited and postholes may be located with further exposure of the summit. Intensive investigation of this structure is planned for the 1999 field season. The initial evidence from Str. B1-6th, however, suggests that this structure is larger and more finely constructed than other structures dating to the early Middle Preclassic possibly indicating a public function. An elaborate ritual deposit was encountered and appears to be associated with this construction phase. The deposit, discussed in detail below, consisted of a basin shaped depression cut into bedrock and layered with freshwater shells.

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