Kathryn McNally
ANT 250 – Principles of Archeology
December 14, 2010
Ix Uayeb at Chakan Xpujil
The Chakán Xpujíl Archeological Survey revealed a great Mayan center at Ix Uayeb. 1
Located just north of the Chixoy Hills along the Rio Chel Xa, this city includes a Ball court, Palace
Complex, several residential areas and the spectacular Jaguar Temple.2
Settlement patterns at Ix Uayeb indicate five separate residential neighborhoods. Three
Elite Residence Areas ranging from 6 to 12 structures per neighborhood. Additionally, two
clusters containing an estimated 86 house mounds make up a large Commoner Residential
Area. At its peak, Ix Uayeb total population estimates range from 525 to 585.3
Excavations of the Jaguar Temple, largest of the temples in Ix Uayeb, encountered five
building episodes in the construction history of the temple. 4 Each stage of construction
enlarged the temple. The Temple stages begin with Temple I dating to 1543 BC and continue
upwards with Temple II at AD 350, Temple III at AD 540, Temple IV at AD 738, and conclude at
AD 874 with Temple V.
The final stage of investigations at Ix Uayeb consisted of test excavations in the House
Mound Area northeast of the temple group. Trenching revealed a series of stratigraphic units
that closely correspond with the chronology of the Jaguar Temple building episodes. Several
significant ceramic and lithic finds discovered highlights this area as the center of trade for the
region.
In level I, which corresponds to construction episode V, crews found caches of ceramic
and lithic artifacts of the same types found in the temple. A ceramic cylindrical vessel produced in
a mold, rather than hand-built shows glyphs and a pictorial portrayal of royal tribute.5 The style is from
1
See Figure 1
See Figure 2
3
Population estimates have a +/- 5% error rate
4
See Figure 3
5
See Image 1
2
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the Late Classic period and agrees with the context (Upper-most excavation level, which is the latest
level) in which the vessel was found.
In level II, which corresponds to construction episode IV, crews uncovered two caches of
eccentric flints. Averaging in length from 10 to 30 cm, the pieces reflect the extraordinary skill
of the local flint-nappers. 6 A single
Level III, which corresponds to construction episode III, yielded contend consistent with
midden deposits, mostly debris, detritus, ash and trash. However, the crew recovered an
extraordinary jade plaque (approximately 22 cm in length).7 Inscribed glyphs, including a lord
name and a calendric date, place the engraving in the same era as the level.
Recovery at Level IV, which corresponds to construction episode II, included a ceramic
figure depicting a ball player approximately 10 cm in height.8 Discovered at the base of a pit,
surrounded by fill matching Level II, the uniform on the figure suggests that the piece actually
dates from a later Classic period. Also at Level IV, in situ, crews discovered an engraved conch
shell amulet.9
While no significant finds were apparent at Level V, Level VI, which corresponds to
construction episode I included a singular example of the development of Mesoamerica. An
Olmec figurine, approximately 10 cm in height dates before AD 1 and depicts a ball player. 10
In Level VII, crews found a large cache of flint and obsidian projectile points. Varied in
shape and raw material, the points are all in the Clovis style. The Clovis Horizon points date
before 12,000 years ago. The distinctive “basal flute”, one of the most difficult in flint work, is
readily apparent.
Other major discoveries at the site include two floor-to-ceiling murals and a single burial
chamber at construction episode IV. The sarcophagus revealed the great king, Hanab Pacal, the
eleventh ruler of the city. The murals depict a battle scene and a prisoner scene.
6
See Image 2
See Image 3
8
See Image 4
9
See Image 5
10
See Image 6
7
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Due to the spectacular and unique nature of the site, it is recommended that further research
funds be allocated for Ix Uayeb at Chakan Xpujil.
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Figure 1 - The Chakan Xpujil Region
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Figure 2 - Ix Uayeb - Structures and Plazas
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Figure 3 - Jaguar Temple Building Episodes
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Table 1- Settlement Patterns of Chakan Xpujil Region
Transect Settlement Patterns
Lowlands
Riparian
Hills
0%
50%
100%
Hills
0
Riparian
1
Lowlands
0
SA
3
8
4
EMA
9
0
0
HMG
13
8
25
RD
0
0
4
CS
2
1
2
LS
1
0
2
MAC
Table 2 - Ceramic and Lithic Types by Level
Ceramic Types
3 4 5 6 7
Lithics
Level 1 2
8 9
d
s
I
50 34
150 3
II
2 4 60 28
140 2
III
2 51 23
30
IV
1 18 68 1
20
V
71 70
160 5
VI
23 30 2
VII
400 15
p
2
1
1
8
Total 52 38 60 31 69 91 72 70 23 930 27 12
In Situ
1
7
1
2
0
1
1
13
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Appendix A
Significant Findings
Image 1 - Ceramic Vessel
Image 2 - Eccentric Flints
Image 3 - Jade Plaque
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Image 4 - Conch Shell Amulet
Image 5 - Ceramic Ballplayer
Image 6 - Olmec Ballplayer
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Appendix B
Radio Carbon Dating
Level I
Sample: 10
Material: Scattered Charcoal
Weight: 12 grams
Method: Conventional Radiocarbon
Raw Date: 1450 + 120 BP
Calibrated Date: 1380 ± 115
68% sigma: 1265 – 1495 BP
95% sigma: 1150-1610 BP
Calendric Age AD: 570 ± 115
Sample: 11
Material: Zea
Weight: 0.2 grams
Method: AMS
Raw Date: 1140 + 80 BP
Calibrated Date: 1076 ± 91 BP
68% sigma BP: 985 – 1167
95% sigma BP: 894 – 1258
Calendric Age AD: 874 ± 91
Level II
Sample: 14
Material: Scattered Charcoal
Weight: 15.5 grams
Method: Conventional
Raw Date: 1530 + 70 BP
Calibrated Date: 1436 ± 72 BP
68% sigma: 1363 – 1508 BP
95% sigma: 1291 – 1580
Calendric Age AD: 514 ± 72
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Sample: 17
Material: Zea mays (corn) kernel fragment
Weight: 0.2 grams
Method: AMS
Raw Date: 1280 + 50 BP
Calibrated Date: 1212 ± 56 BP
68% sigma: 1156 – 1268 BP
95% sigma: 1100 –1324 BP
Calendric Age AD: 738 ± 56
Level III
Sample: 27
Material: Zea mays (corn) kernel fragment
Weight: 0.22 grams
Method: AMS
Raw Date: 1490 + 70 BP
Calibrated Date: 1410 ± 74 BP
68% sigma: 1335 – 1484 BP
95% sigma: 1261 – 1554 BP
Calendric Age AD: 540 ± 74
Sample: 28
Material: Scattered Charcoal
Weight: 13.5 grams
Method: Conventional
Raw Date: 1750 + 50 BP
Calibrated Date: 1666 ± 64 BP
68% sigma: 1601 – 1730 BP
95% sigma: 1537 – 1794 BP
Calendric Age AD: 284 ± 64
Level IV
Sample: 34
Material: Zea mays (corn) kernel fragment
Weight: 0.4 grams
Method: AMS
Raw Date: 1730 + 55 BP
Calibrated Date: 1645 ± 64 BP
68% sigma: 1580 – 1709 BP
95% sigma: 1516 – 1773 BP
Calendric Age AD: 305 ± 64
Sample: 41
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Material: Scattered Charcoal
Weight: 8.5 grams
Method: Conventional
Raw Date: 2150 + 80 BP
Calibrated Date: 2160 ± 118 BP
68% sigma: 2042 – 2278 BP
95% sigma: 1924 – 2396 BP
Calendric Age BC: 210 ± 118
Level V
Sample: 50
Material: Zea mays (corn) kernel fragment
Weight: 0.35 grams
Method: AMS
Raw Date: 1980 + 75 BP
Calibrated Date: 1939 ± 51 BP
68% sigma: 1888 – 1990 BP
95% sigma: 1897 – 2041 BP
Calendric Age BC: 1543 ± 85
Level VI
Sample: 45
Material: Charred Amaranth Seed
Weight: 0.02 grams
Method: AMS
Raw Date: 3250 + 80 BP
Calibrated Date: 3493 ± 85 BP
68% sigma: 3407 – 3578 BP
95% sigma: 3322 – 3663
Calendric Age BC: 1543 ± 85
Level VII
Sample: 56
Material: Fragment of Faunal Artifact: carved effigy of jaguar
Weight: 0.5 grams
Method: AMS
Raw Date: 11,200 + 140 BP
Calibrated Date: 13095 ± 167 BP
68% sigma: 12928 – 13262 BP
95% sigma: 12761 – 13402 BP
Calendric Age BC: 11145 ± 167
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