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

Section 4: Concluding Remarks

Summary of Excavations

Limited excavations on Structure N10-28 consisted of four field operations. Operation 1 was the removal of the front core between the N10-28 and N10-15 platforms, starting where Dr. David Pendergast left off and extending about a meter and a half to two meters to the south. Reasons for extending the core removal in this area were to: (1) see the stratigraphy as it changed from large core to the demolition/collapse debris level located on the plaza floor, where the stucco is located, (2) to recover datable ceramics from within this sealed context, (3) to recover more unique and stylistically important pieces of sculpture, as façade corners tend to be quite elaborate, and, (4) to expose the platform corners of N10-28 and N10-15 for architectural data.

Artifacts recovered included several clusters of vessel fragments, which have been dated to the Terminal Classic (Graham and Pendergast, personal communication). Other finds include several obsidian blades, one shell (freshwater clam), and a small number of lithic material. Stucco pieces recovered, as was hoped, were high in both volume and quality. In all, over 400 pieces were recovered from this area. Two levels were named, Level A being equivalent to the large mass of core (3-4 meters), and Level B, which ranged from 10 to 35 cm.  Large stones composed Level A, with little dirt filling the spaces, and was capped by a relatively thin layer of soil. Level B was strikingly different, being yellowish in color, and being composed of facing stones, stucco, structural core, mortar, ceramics, and pulverized building material. Artifact density was extremely dense, in contrast to the low volume of artifacts from Level A.

Operation 2 was the continuation of the 1981 trench between N10-28 and N10-15 to the north. Although a large volume of ceramics were recovered, no clusters were encountered in situ, although one vessel is represented by a large number of sherds. Other finds include an obsidian blade, a large jar fragment found beneath rows of fallen facing stones, and a perforated shell. Architectural features encountered include the back platform corner of N10-15 and the base of a wall between N10-28 and N10-15, similar to the more complete wall at the southern end of the space between the two buildings. An estimated 230 pieces of stucco were also recovered, much of it being small fragments. The debris layer, at an estimated 1.5 meters, was much thicker in this area. Excavations here were terminated prematurely due to several factors, and will be completed in the next field season.

Field Operation 3 began as the probing of four small facing stones exposed at the surface about two meters north of Operation 2.  The result was the clearing of a secondary face of the N10-3 Plaza complex. The face was cleared down a meter and a half into midden, an inset corner was exposed, and the north face was followed for about a meter. The volume of artifacts recovered from this operation was high. Soil atop and among the core was very dark. Numerous ceramic sherds, including many large rim sherds, obsidian blade fragments, a drum fragment, lithics, and faunal material were recovered. A preliminary appraisal of the ceramics indicate they belong to the Buk Phase, or Early Postclassic. Artifact density in this operation was extremely high in comparison to other field operations.

Field Operation 4 was the complete removal of core from the area immediately adjacent and overlapping the N10-28 platform. The area excavated was approximately 5.5 meters by 1.5 meters on the plaza floor. The stratigraphy observed was identical to that described in Operation 1.  After the overlying core was removed, which included the recording and removal of a core face, the debris layer was sectioned into one meter increments from the corner. In all, there were five one meter sections, numbered Operation 4-a, 4-b, and so on. Operation 4-a was excavated out completely at once. It was then decided to come down on the debris layer carefully exposing the stucco fragments, ceramics, and facing stones in situ. The result was a three and a half meter long in situ debris layer. One of the significant finds was a Terminal Classic polychrome vessel, the fragments of which were found in three of the one meter sections, perhaps indicating a termination ritual. Stucco fragments number in the hundreds. Pieces recovered include the head of a supernatural with bat features, and a large fragment painted yellow with scales that may represent the supra-orbital plate of a saurian. After recording, each one meter interval was taken out one by one.

Laboratory analysis this season consisted of the preliminary sorting of many of the stucco pieces recovered in 1981 as well as the new excavations. All other materials recovered were sorted, counted, weighed, bagged, and are in storage at the on-site bodega, awaiting further analysis.

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