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

Future Research

There are a number of research possibilities that can be explored through this research project. Immediate plans for the collection include the complete sorting of the collection by iconographic motif. Specially built shelving will house the sorted pieces in the bodega annex at the site. All of the unidentifiable fragments will be processed as described in Section 3.  Analysis will also be conducted in and among lot numbers in regards to ceramics as well. Future plans include taking paint and stucco samples for chemical analysis.

Plans also include a more comprehensive iconographic and stylistic analysis of the stucco collection as well as a more thorough comparison with facades from other sites in the Maya lowlands. When the new, larger, on-site museum at Lamanai becomes a reality, then hopefully more pieces can be put on display.

After the lots from Structure N10-28 are analyzed, including those from 1981 and 1982, funding will be sought to cover excavations along the eastern side of N10-28 to recover all fragments of the east façade. The recovery of the fragments of the east façade will provide the most promising endeavor in the reconstruction of a section of the façade.

As few stucco facades have been studied, this collection from Lamanai can provide important information on Late Classic Maya art. The significance of this study is that little is known about Mayan sculpture modeled in plaster, as compared with other art mediums, and especially of the Late and Terminal Classic Periods. The Lamanai collection represents a corpus of iconographic material from these periods, presenting a unique opportunity for a contribution to the study of Maya representative art, architectural settings, and iconography, in addition to providing a clearer understanding of the ancient Maya of Belize.

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