The K'axob formative ceramics : the search for regional integration through a reappraisal of ceramic analysis and classification in northern Belize
The formative village of K'axob is located on a low rise in the lowland swamp and riverine setting of northern Belize. In 1992, I initiated a type-variety analysis of Formative period ceramics from the northern Belize site of K'axob. Following the lead of Andrews V (1990), I closely scrutinize the criteria used for the classification of Formative ceramics from northern Belize, especially for the establishment of new types and varieties. The following study, therefore, embodies an attempt to review ceramic analysis in northern Belize. Along with the review, I discuss the debate surrounding the chronological place of Formative remains from northern Belize, including the implications of the Cuello shortened chronology to ceramic classification, and examine the possibility of tracing the origins of Swasey ceramics from Cuello. I describe the ceramics of K'axob, consequently, detailing the chronological sequence of Pulltrouser Swamp, and place the K'axob ceramics within the general cultural background of the Maya Lowlands. Through such rigorous study, the K'axob ceramic evidence yielded information on the life of a small Formative village in northern Belize, as well as the contacts with sites in the Guatemala Highlands,
Lopez Varela, Sandra L.
Maya; Mayan; South American
The K'axob formative ceramics : the search for regional integration through a reappraisal of ceramic analysis and classification in northern Belize. The formative village of K'axob is located on a low rise in the lowland swamp and riverine setting of northern Belize. In 1992, I initiated a type-variety analysis of Formative period ceramics from the northern Belize site of K'axob. Following the lead of Andrews V (1990), I closely scrutinize the criteria used for the classification of Formative ceramics from northern Belize, especially for the establishment of new types and varieties. The following study, therefore, embodies an attempt to review ceramic analysis in northern Belize. Along with the review, I discuss the debate surrounding the chronological place of Formative remains from northern Belize, including the implications of the Cuello shortened chronology to ceramic classification, and examine the possibility of tracing the origins of Swasey ceramics from Cuello. I describe the ceramics of K'axob, consequently, detailing the chronological sequence of Pulltrouser Swamp, and place the K'axob ceramics within the general cultural background of the Maya Lowlands. Through such rigorous study, the K'axob ceramic evidence yielded information on the life of a small Formative village in northern Belize, as well as the contacts with sites in the Guatemala Highlands,
formative ceramic search regional integration reappraisal ceramic_analysis classification northern belize formative village locate low rise lowland riverine set northern belize initiate type variety analysis formative_period ceramic northern belize site following lead closely scrutinize criterion_use classification formative ceramic northern belize especially establishment_new type variety follow study_therefore embodies attempt review ceramic_analysis northern belize along review discuss debate_surround chronological place formative remain northern belize include implication shorten chronology ceramic classification examine possibility tracing origins ceramic describe ceramic consequently detail chronological_sequence place ceramic within general cultural_background maya_lowlands rigorous study ceramic_evidence yield information life small formative village northern belize well contact site highlands