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An Unexplored Realm in the Heartland of the Southern Gulf ... - Famsi

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Late Formative (263), Protoclassic and Early Classic (438), Late Classic (794) and non-<br />

diagnostic material (2368). The Late Classic material recovered <strong>in</strong> this unit accounts for<br />

<strong>the</strong> highest quantity <strong>of</strong> sherds <strong>in</strong> any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> test excavations.<br />

Unit 4 was placed approximately 5 m north <strong>of</strong> Structure 84. A layer <strong>of</strong> naturally<br />

deposited gravel was reached at a depth <strong>of</strong> 1.7 m. Only a handful <strong>of</strong> potsherds were<br />

recovered <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> upper stratum, and <strong>the</strong>re was only a slight <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>in</strong> quantities <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

lower levels. The contents and deposition <strong>in</strong> this unit differed significantly from <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

excavations. Ceramic wares consisted <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Early Formative (32 pieces), Middle<br />

Formative (36), Late Formative (52), Protoclassic and Early Classic (18), Late Classic (4)<br />

and non-diagnostic (202).<br />

The location <strong>of</strong> Unit 5 was 20 m north <strong>of</strong> Structure 84. The upper 50 cm<br />

conta<strong>in</strong>ed little cultural material. Increas<strong>in</strong>g amounts were recovered through <strong>the</strong> next<br />

meter, <strong>the</strong> material decreased over <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g 40 cm. All cultural material ceased at a<br />

depth <strong>of</strong> 190 cm where a th<strong>in</strong> stratum <strong>of</strong> sand and gravel was encountered. Below this<br />

level was a sterile, highly compacted layer <strong>of</strong> clay. The 60-70 cm level conta<strong>in</strong>ed small<br />

fragments <strong>of</strong> obsidian, basalt, and burned clay. Ceramics diagnostic <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Early<br />

Formative amounted to 74 pieces; Middle Formative, 147; Late Formative, 113;<br />

Protoclassic and Early Classic, 184; Late Classic, 96; and non-diagnostic, 1036. Unit 6<br />

was north <strong>of</strong> Unit 5 and approximately 25 m from <strong>the</strong> river cut. A total <strong>of</strong> 26 potsherds,<br />

<strong>the</strong> lowest concentration <strong>of</strong> any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> test units, were recovered from depths <strong>of</strong> 20 to 60<br />

cm. The Early Formative accounted for 4 pieces; Middle Formative, 4; Late Formative,<br />

10; Protoclassic to Early Classic, 1; Late Classic, 7; and non-diagnostic, 38.<br />

213

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