Postclassic Maya Communities at Progresso Lagoon and Laguna Seca, Northern Belize

Abstract

Recent investigations of Post classic Period (A.c. 1050–1528) Maya communities along the Freshwater Creek drainage in northern Belize reveal important trends in the development organization, and economic activities of a political center and three smaller settlements. The Freshwater Creek drainage is likely to have formed an avenue of communication and transport that facilitated the economic integration of these settlements along this waterway. Research at these sites suggests that from A.C. 1050 to 1528, the NE Belize region was home to a number of small settlements and political centers that were actively engaged in local commodity production for local and more distant exchange with maritime traders operating along the Caribbean coast. Evidence of Colonial period Maya occupations along the shores of Freshwater Creek lagoons is also observed, suggesting that Postclassic sites continued to be occupied into the 17th century in this area. Preliminary analysis suggests that Colonial period local economy at these sites was substantially affected by Spanish efforts to subdue and control this region.