Down the T’uhl Hole: Technological, Metric, and Functional analyses of Chipped Stone From an Ancient Maya Chultun

ABSTRACT

Technological, metric, and microscopic use-wear analyses of the chipped chert and obsidian artifacts from the Chaa Creek chultun present a complex use-history in this underground space. Most, if not all, of the lithics are secondary refuse deposited at this location from other areas of initial production and use. The lithic sub-assemblages within the chultun represent at least two discrete deposition events of expediently produced flakes of local chert used for various domestic/household tasks. The lithics from the construction core of the platform on the surface appear to be secondary refuse that is the product of different formation processes. The number of large whole chert flakes with use wear resulting from contact with wood and stone from the platform construction core suggests an origin from a location or locations in which crafting occurred. By focusing on the stone tools from discrete stratigraphic deposits, it is possible to provide more detailed reconstructions of the various episodes of chultun use.

KEYWORDS:

• Chert
• obsidian
• use-wear analysis
• chultun
• Maya

Acknowledgments

Archaeological investigations at Chaa Creek were conducted by the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance (BVAR) Project under the direction of Jaime Awe. We are grateful to the Belize Institute of Archaeology for giving us permission to conduct this work, and to the staff and students of the BVAR Project for their assistance with our investigations. Last, but certainly not least, our heartfelt and sincere gratitude and appreciation to Mick and Lucy Fleming, and the entire staff of the Chaa Creek Resort, for their hospitality and support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

W. James Stemp (PhD 2000, McGill University) is a professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology at Keene State College. His main areas of research include stone tool technology, lithic use-wear analysis, experimental archaeology, the socio-economies of complex societies, ritual use of stone tools, and the ancient Maya.

Charles G. Stoll (BA, 2015, Keene State College) is completing a volunteer service contract with AmeriCorps in West Virginia. His service has developed valuable GIS and spatial analysis techniques for the Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. His research interests are GIS, spatial analysis, and the study of human–environment interaction.

Christophe G. B. Helmke (PhD 2009, University of London) is an associate professor of American Indian Languages and Cultures, with the Institute for Cross-cultural and Regional Studies of the University of Copenhagen. His primary research interests are Maya archaeology and epigraphy. Other research interests include ancient Mesoamerican cave utilization, household archaeology, writing systems, and rock art.

Jaime J. Awe (PhD 1992, University of London) is an associate professor of anthropology at Northern Arizona University and an emeritus member of the Belize Institute of Archaeology. His primary research interests are Maya archaeology, the Preclassic origin of Maya cultural complexity, ancient Maya religion, prehistoric Maya architecture, and cave use.

ORCID

Charles G. Stoll http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5597-9955

Christophe G. B. Helmke http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3691-7075