Lithic Analysis of Chau Hiix, Belize

Abstract

For well over a century the Maya have spurred interest among both archaeologists and the public. However, until relatively recently, most research has focused upon the elite and their associated material. This interest in the fantastic carried over into lithic analysis, and in early years led to the discarding of common stone tools and associated debitage, since utilitarian objects were often viewed as inconsequential in understanding the Maya. However, in the last half century a more complete examination of the production, consumption, and utilization of lithics from the Maya territory has played a vital role in providing information about the society as a whole (see Aldenderfer 1991; Barrett 2011; Bannett et al. 2005; Moholy-Nagy 2003). The following paper will present an analysis of raw material consumption and artifact utilization at the Maya site of Chau Hiix, focusing on the comparison utilitarian and formal stone tools.