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

Section 3: A Preliminary Analysis of the Stucco Façade of Structure N10-28

Currently, there are approximately two thousand pieces of polychrome stucco sculpture from Structure N10-28, ranging in size from very small fragments, less than 2 cm, to rather large and elaborate sculptural pieces. By far the largest concentration comes from the original ROM excavations, designated LA 1103.  Unfortunately, it is not known which pieces came from the west side or the front of the structure. Although originally separated and stored by provenience, most of the pieces were accidentally mixed in 1991 when the bodega collapsed and during the subsequent cleanup and transfer to a new bodega by the Department of Archaeology. However, sorting by west or south façade can begin by reading Pendergast (1985:93-94) who states:

"Portions of the front panel of the upper zone stucco was recovered in 1981 from beneath core for later construction that concealed the partly demolished structure; these indicated that the decoration had included larger than life-size human and/or deity figures, set amidst panels of latticework and curvilinear motifs. In 1982 we encountered most of the panel from the building’s west side, dumped between the structure platform and the building immediately to the west. Conditions of recovery permitted reconstruction of significant portions of the panel, including a large center cartouche that contains a seated human figure."

Because I did not have provenience for all of the stucco pieces, I wanted to carry out some small-scale excavations to clarify some questions. It was hoped that some of these newly excavated pieces would match those of LA 1103.  Notwithstanding the lack of provenience, the fragments can still be analyzed for their stylistic and iconographic significance.

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