Chen K’u: The Ceramic of the Sacred Cenote at Chichén Itzá
Study of the Ceramic Fragments of the Explorations Conducted in the 60’s

Results of the 1998 Chen K’u Project

During 1998 the analysis of ceramic fragments originating from the explorations conducted by Piña Chan were completed. This analysis was made possible thanks to a grant from the Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc. (FAMSI). Our goals were the following:

1. To determine the ceramic chronologic sequence of the Sacred Cenote;

2. To determine the Cenote’s functionality for the different periods, and;

3. To obtain data of the ceramic remains to help in the interpretation of the rituals that took place at the Cenote.

A total 71,247 sherds were classified with the Type - Variety system (Smith, Willey and Gifford, 1960), providing for the first time reliable data and percentages about the ceramic from the Cenote.

Click on image to enlarge

The classification presented here is provisional, and certain changes may be expected in the future. This is because the technique used in the ceramic classification, based on visual and tactile criteria, does not allow for a ceramic classification that may be taken as final. Besides, as the analysis of the ceramic recovered by the Chichén Itzá project since 1993 to the present day progresses, our vision of the different complexes and ceramic types from Chichén Itzá will be gradually refined, so in general, all the ceramic data now available should be considered an approximation. This is why whenever changes are introduced in this report copies of the new results will be made available to INAH as well as to FAMSI.  The data published in this report may be used by any researcher, but should doubts arise, the author may be reached at the following email address: cozuvice@yahoo.com

Results shall be revised following a chronological order, with special attention paid to the imported vessels and the forms that could denote rituals of any type.

The percentages presented in the following tables are expressed in relation with the total quantity of sherds from each complex.

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