Excavations at Pacbitun, Belize: Preliminary Report on the 1986 and 1987 Investigations

Abstract

Abstract The ancient, but only recently discovered, Maya site of Pacbitun, located in the Cayo District of western Belize, is a compact, medium-sized lowland center first settled about 900 B.C., during the Middle Preclassic Period. The settlement expanded in succeeding centuries, and flourished during the Late and Terminal Classic Periods (A.C. 550–900) before being abandoned. Field investigations during 1986 and 1987 have resulted in a detailed map of the ruins, which have an acropolis center nearly 0.5 sq km in area and incorporate 5 plazas and 41 major structures. These include residential, range-type buildings, organized into courtyard quadrangles; temple-pyramids with remains of vaulted superstructures; a pair of lengthy causeways; and a ceremonial ballcourt. In this preliminary report summaries of the architectural excavations as well as brief descriptions of the monuments, burials, caches, and artifacts are provided.