INTRODUCTION

Archaeological exploration has continued at the ancient Maya site of Lamanai under the direction of Elizabeth Graham (University College of London and York University) following work conducted by David Pendergast (Royal Ontario Museum) from 1974 to 1986. Lamanai is located on the west bank of the New River Lagoon in the Central Maya Lowlands (Figure 1).

The 1999 Lamanai Archaeological Project, under the auspice of the Lamanai Field Research Center and permitted by Belize's Department of Archaeology, carried out minimal excavations in three areas: 1) 'Harold' structure N10-27, 2) 'Rectory' structure N12-12, and 3) 'Ottawa' consisting of structures N10-18, N10-15, and Plaza [N10]3. Both 'Harold' and 'Ottawa' are located in the southern portion of the main ceremonial center of Lamanai and the 'Rectory' is located directly north of the second Spanish Church in the southern settlement area of the site.

This paper will present preliminary morphological and limited contextual descriptions of lithics recovered in Terminal Classic to Late Postclassic contexts during excavations carried out at Lamanai in 1999. Lithic material presented here is generally dated through association with ceramic material and comparison between assemblages from other sites. Detailed analysis of tools and debitage was conducted on midden material recovered from the N10-27 area. The remainder of the lithic material from various areas, described below, consists of counts, weights, descriptions, and limited interpretation and dating. Analysis and excavation is on going and this paper serves as an interim report on our findings.

'Harold' - Structure N10-27

'Harold' was investigated initially in 1983 by David Pendergast (1981, 1986) and is located on the south end of the main Lamanai ceremonial center (Figure 2). This structure located just north of the 'Ottawa' complex revealed a finely carved stela attesting to rulership at Lamanai during the 7th century. No offering revealed a secure date for the building leaving the stela and the accumulated midden material as the prime dating source. Pendergast identified two areas of midden accumulation: one over the central stairs and one against the southwest front and side terrace. Continued excavations indicate that the midden accumulation over the central stairs contains ceramics spanning a period of ca. AD 950-1450 (Terminal Classic to Middle Postclassic). The midden located on the south front and side contains ceramic material referred to as 'Buk' (Graham 1987:81-90) which dates approximately to Middle Postclassic (ca. AD1150-1300) but Terminal Classic ceramics have also been recovered.

Excavations have shown that the area just south of N10-27 served as the center of the community during this time and refuse was accumulated on and around 'Harold'. Since the accumulation is restricted to certain areas, Pendergast (1988:6) also noted that only portions of the structure were abandoned around AD900 indicating the temple was still partially in use.

Figure #1

Map of Belize

Figure #2

Location of 1999 excavation area at Lamanai.

'Ottawa' - Structures N10-15, N10-28, and Plaza [N10]3

'Ottawa' consists of structures 'Fifteen' N10-15, 'Tulip' N10-28, and Plaza [N10]3 and is located on the south end of the main ceremonial center of Lamanai (Figure 2). Pendergast (1982:2, 1986:231) identified as a semipublic residential area most likely used by the upper class residing at Lamanai. Found throughout this area are numerous secondary architectural changes to the primary construction spanning Terminal Classic to Late Postclassic (1986:231). These changes warranted reexamination and simultaneously offered an exceptional environment for teaching field school students mapping and identification of primary and secondary architectural features. Work initiated in 'Ottawa' by Pendergast in 1981 and 1982 recovered a large amount of polychrome fragments of stucco material also warranting reexamination this analysis along with minimal excavation was undertaken in 1998 and 1999 by Mark Shelby (see chapter this volume).

'Rectory' - Structure N12-12

Located directly north of the second Spanish Church, (N12-13) which dates to approximately AD 1600-1640, lies N12-12, tentatively identified as a rectory by Graham (Personal communication 1998). Although this may not be the case, its close proximity to the second church certainly makes it plausible. Pendergast (1981:29) investigated this area in hopes of identifying structures directly related to the Spanish settlement at Lamanai and artifact assemblages along with European style architecture of the two churches in this area verify Spanish influence and occupation. Future work will focus on identifying the relationship between the second Spanish church and the proposed rectory, N12-12.

During the 1998 and 1999 field season minimal clearing of facings on all sides indicated a complex sequence of events. The Maya residing and caring for this sacred space made numerous Postclassic modifications to N12-12. What has been difficult to identify is evidence of Spanish construction and activity on and around the building(s).

'Giant Midden'

The 'Giant Midden' (Figure 2) abuts the east side of N10-9 and extends north to N10-2 and has been tentatively identified by Pendergast (1986:239) as a massive Middle to Late Postclassic midden. As noted by Pendergast the midden is large enough to suggest the entranceway to Plaza [N10]3 was either blocked or restricted indicating the possibility of less ceremonial activity in this area during the 13th and 14th century. This area was not formally investigated in the 1999 field season but fieldwork mandated slight clearing of the area. On going investigation of previously recovered faunal remains is being conducted by Stanchly (see chapter this volume) identifying the possibility of two different accumulations of debris.

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