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Preliminary Comments on the 2012 Ceramics Analysis
early historic period). While Chan Chich lacks
the presence of Chen Mul Modeled, Kaxil
Uinic produced several interesting fragments
of the anthropomorphic censers (see Harris and
Sisneros, this volume, Figure 5.4).
Summary
As concluded by Valdez and Houk (2000:136),
“the ceramic analysis indicates that the ancient
city of Chan Chich was first settled ca. 900 BC
and abandoned by AD 850.” After preliminary
observations of the ceramic artifacts from the
2012 season, the statement remains accurate.
The Chan Chich data are briefly summarized
below and for now include most of the
findings for Kaxil Uinic. The only exception or
significant difference of information concerning
Kaxil Uinic has been presented above.
The Middle Preclassic complexes as part of
the Swasey and Mamom Spheres are certainly
related to other early sites in northern Belize
and northeastern Peten. Although regional
variation is noteworthy. The Late Preclassic
ceramics seem to represent a period that was
of more intensive interaction between sites
and perhaps regions. The Chicanel Sphere is
the designation for this phase at Chan Chich.
In the Late-to-Terminal Preclassic, Chan
Chich was actively involved in the trade (and
communications) systems common throughout
the Maya lowlands. The final Preclassic phase
at Chan Chich is the Terminal Preclassic (Floral
Park Sphere) Trogon Complex.
Following the new developments or
innovations of the Terminal Preclassic, Chan
Chich transitioned into the Early Classic Jabiru
Complex (Tzakol Sphere). While it is clear
that Early Classic occupants were active at
Chan Chich, representative material for the
Early Classic remains scant. No satisfactory
explanation for a weak representation is posited
at this time.
Two ceramic complexes, Motmot Complex and
Pauraque Complex, represent the Chan Chich
Late Classic (Tepeu Sphere). Excavations
continue to produce ceramics of the Late
Classic phase usually with Tepeu 3 material
near or at the surface level. Chan Chich
was a very active member of the Peten and
northern Belize trade and exchange networks
as represented in the ceramic inventories. Chan
Chich’s abandonment at the end of the Classic
period seems clear. There are, however, later
Postclassic visitations with special offerings
(censers), but no permanent Maya occupation
of Chan Chich is known after the Tepeu 3
period.
References Cited
Adams, Richard E. W.
1971 The Ceramics of Altar de Sacrificios. Papers of the Peabody Museum, No. 63. Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Adams, Richard E. W., and Jane Jackson-Adams
2000 Rio Azul Ceramic Sequence Summary; 1999. In Rio Azul Reports Number 5, The 1987
Season, edited by R. E. W. Adams, pp. 264–273. The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Ball, Joseph
1977 The Archaeological Ceramics of Becan, Campeche. Middle American Research Institute
Publication No. 43. Tulane University, New Orleans.
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