Excavation and Survey at Nohmul, Belize, 1983

Abstract

Abstract The second season of investigations, in 1983, at the Maya ceremonial center and community of Nohmul, northern Belize, included mapping, test excavations in the settlement, and major excavations in the ceremonial precinct. Following developmental maxima in the Late Formative and Late Classic periods, a mosaic pattern of alternating large and small residential groups, with some areas free of mounds but yielding evidence of habitation, reached its extant form in the Terminal Classic. The surrounding wetlands contain large areas of raised/channeled fields, of dates uncertain at present, with an interesting variety of layouts. The major constructions in the East Group of the ceremonial precinct, including a massive “acropolis” and a large adjacent plaza, proved to date to the Terminal Formative, ca. 200–300 A.C. Following 800 A.C. the plaza was subdivided by the construction of several buildings of Yucatecan architectural inspiration; these buildings exhibit the same exotic features seen in residentia...