Report of the 1998 and 1999 Investigations on the Archaeology and Iconography of the Polychrome Stucco Façade of Structure N10-28, Lamanai, Belize

The Site of Lamanai

The site of Lamanai is situated in north central Belize (Figure 1:3) in Orange Walk District, and adjoins the modern village of Indian Church, aptly named after the nearby church ruins. It is situated on the western shore of the New River Lagoon, which is approximately thirty kilometers long and some two kilometers wide. The New River, or Dzuluinicob, empties into Chetumal Bay, close to the ruins of Cerros. The area on the eastern side of the lagoon is composed of large expanses of low scrub, some of which are seasonally or permanently inundated. The area around Lamanai is relatively high in comparison, and the region beyond is characterized by gently rolling limestone hills (Figure 1:4).

The site core forms the centerpiece of the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, and is administered by the Belize Department of Archaeology. This 950 acre park also serves as a natural reserve, being one of the few large tracts of land in the area not under cultivation. As a result, the Reserve is home to numerous species of flora and fauna, and includes a variety of tropical birds and several troops of howler monkeys. Marine life includes crocodiles, some of which are known to be as long as thirteen feet, which inhabit the lagoon and swampy river areas.

The ancient city center of Lamanai covers some 4.5 square kilometers and contains 718 structures. The settlement pattern is non-standard, and is unlike any encountered at other Maya sites. Rather than a centralized ceremonial grouping(s), Lamanai is spread along the lagoon shore in a continuous north to south strip (Pendergast 1981:32). The unusual site plan has clusters of temporal development, with Formative Period structures generally located in the northern sector of the site, and as one proceeds southward the structures become progressively later in time, the culmination of which is the Spanish Church located in the extreme southern sector.

Lamanai presents a unique opportunity to study Maya cultural evolution because of the extensive time depth. Data indicates an unbroken occupation span from 2000 B.C. through the 17th century A.D.  Lamanai is also unique in that it is one of the few sites in which we have the precolumbian name, Lama’an/ayin which translates as "submerged crocodile," and is further verified by saurian imagery found throughout the site and from a variety of different contexts (Pendergast 1981:32, 38).

One of the most significant structures in the northern sector of Lamanai is Structure N9-56 (Figure 1:5). This 17 m tall structure borders the lagoon, and dates to the Formative and Early Classic. Two tombs were discovered here, one on the primary axis of the structure and the other within the supporting platform that supports N9-56 and its flanking structures. The most notable aspect of this structure is its architectural sculpture. At the rear of the primary structure was discovered a large polychrome mask and panel reminiscent of those found at Cerros. On the front of the secondary structure are large masks as well, modeled in gray stucco, that flank the main stair. These masks probably represent an early ruler, and crocodile imagery is present on the headdress (Pendergast 1981:36-40).

Other notable structures in the Formative sector include P8-12, a long platform with no superstructure that is 97 m long on its top. It was most likely port and storage facilities, as it is located next to the ancient harbor area (Pendergast 1981:40). A significant architectural assemblage is P9-25, also located close to the harbor. It is a massive acropolis that measures 90 m by 110 m along its top, and is 18 m tall. On its summit are several buildings that are 9 to 10 m tall (Pendergast 1981:34). In the extreme northern part of the site is an unusually large, three-chambered chultun, which yielded numerous intact and fragmented Formative vessels (Pendergast 1981b:62). Farther to the north are extensive areas of raised fields.

Moving south towards the center of the site is Structure N10-43 (Figure 1:6), the tallest building at Lamanai at 33 m.  The primary structure dates to the Late Formative, and had a tripartite stair flanked by large masks, with a triadic arrangement of false temples at its summit. During the Late Classic N10-43 was modified, which involved merging the front stairs into a single stair, clearing off the summit, and the addition of a range structure that spanned one of the front terraces. Three caches help to date the structural stratigraphy, the earliest dating to the second century B.C. (Pendergast 1981:40-42).

Click on image to enlarge.

Within the plaza that fronts Structure N10-43 is the lone ballcourt. It is rather late and dates to the ninth century A.D.  It is very small, open-ended, and exhibits some unusual construction elements. In the center of the playing field is a large round marker. Below this stone was a cache that contained a lidded vessel, inside of which were two miniature vessels, small jades, and shell objects resting in a pool of 9.7cc of Mercury. Surrounding this plaza are a number of structures and large stones with unusually large carved glyphs.

Farther to the south is Structure N10-27, a large, rather squat pyramidal building that dates to the Middle Classic. On the lower steps of this structure, lying face down, was discovered Stela 9, which represents Lord Smoking Shell of Lamanai, and follows Middle Classic canons of art (Budet 1988:31). A short distance away to the south is the N10-3 plaza area, also known as "Ottawa." It is a large courtyard surrounded by a number of range structures. Immediately to the south of this area is a large open plaza and Structure N10-9.

Structure N10-9 (Figure 1:7) was built in the Early Classic and stands 19 m tall. Its earliest form had a landing on a lower terrace that supported a temple. In the Late Classic period a new stair, stairside outsets, and a larger temple were constructed. A cache associated with this modification contained a jade mosaic mask. The front portion of this structure was maintained into the Middle Postclassic. In the 12th century A.D. it was again modified with the addition of new stairside outsets, suggesting a continuum of ritual and forms from the Classic into the Postclassic. The structure was completely abandoned in the 15th century, and a number of censers and Lamanai "chalices" were smashed and scattered over the steps (Pendergast 1981:34-35, 43-44).

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The Postclassic center of Lamanai is situated on the shore of the lagoon and to the east of the N10-9 plaza. Several structures in this area exhibit affinities with northern Yucatán, both in architecture and ceramics. These small structures contained numerous burials in Postclassic style, as well as gold and copper pieces (Pendergast 1981:44-49).

Evidence of continued occupation comes from the two seventeenth century Spanish churches (Figure 1:8), located about a kilometer south of the Postclassic center of Lamanai. The apse of the church was of masonry while the nave was built of perishable material. The church was burned in 1641 during a Maya rebellion. A Postclassic mound to the south of the church was modified and used as a cemetery for the Christian Maya. What was left of the prehispanic structure atop this mound is very similar architecturally to Late Postclassic structures of the east coast of Quintana Roo, México.

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By the early 18th century the population had declined and the site center was virtually abandoned, although the Maya still continued to occupy the area. In the 19th century the British built a sugar mill, cisterns, and other structures associated with the endeavor, only to be abandoned within thirty years.

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