Archaeologists gather to share theories, discoveries
On a per capita basis, Belize probably contains the remains of more ancient communities than any place on earth. Yet, despite the abundance of sites and their steadily growing stream of visitors, the science of archaeology has never really captured the imagination of most Belizeans. As archaeologists from around the world gather at the Bliss, News Five’s Janelle Chanona looks at the latest theories and discoveries.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
For the past four years, archaeologists working in Belize have met annually to share their findings with each other and the public.
This year’s discussions, to be held over the next three days, will focus on the Post Classic Maya Culture. That was the period when the ancient civilisation was undergoing dramatic changes in its system of governance. Some archaeologists believe that following uprisings by the masses, dictatorship by the royals was replaced by a loose form of democracy. But around that same time, the Spanish arrived in the New World and the conquistadors were determined to convert the Maya to Christianity. That conversion was not always smooth as archaeologists continue to unearth evidence of a rebellion against the new religion.
Dr. Jaime Awe, Director, Institute of Archaeology
“These are all post classic period objects and it’s just amazing to find these things, because it gives you a sense of their, not just the art, it’s a magnificent pieces of art but also their belief systems. And also the fact that they were located next to a Christian church makes it even more interesting. The Maya kept fighting right to the bitter end.”
Three weeks ago, Director of the Institute of Archaeology, Dr. Jaime Awe found what he and his team have dubbed the “Centi-Fish” because the images carved into the clay are believed to be half centipede, half cat fish. Inside the mouth, the artist depicts a man emerging from within. The ceramic figurine is the second such artefact to be found at Lamanai: the first was half crocodile, half shark.
Dr. Jaime Awe
“The crocodile image is really interesting because if you look inside the mouth, you can see this human coming out the mouth of the crocodile. The Maya believed crocodiles represented the earth, that floated in the primordial sea and that the entrance through the underworld was through the mouth of the crocodile.”
But the pieces take on added significance because the Maya hid the pottery in the Catholic churches to deceive the Spanish.
Dr. Jaime Awe
“The Mayas were masters of what we call syncretism where they would take a lot of their own images and objects and implant them in Spanish ideology or Christianity and that way, legitimise their reason for doing this.”
And while Awe’s study has a religious angle, other projects have a different flavour altogether. Since 2004, Dr. Heather McKillop has been doing extensive research into ancient salt production in southern Belize.
Heather McKillop
“We know that they were structures, and I think perhaps they were salt sheds where they had roofed structures with a whole lot of pots, held up with pot legs over fires to boil down brine. Now where did they get the brine, did they pre-process it in salt pans? … There’s a lot of possibilities that we have, we’re still working on it.”
Buried under the lagoons in the Paynes Creek National Park, McKillop and her team have found more than three thousand posts, countless pieces of pottery and even a canoe paddle. And just days ago, McKillop made another unique discovery.
Dr. Heather McKillop, Archaeologist
“It’s not real jade, but it’s green stone probably from Guatemala, but it’s very pretty; it’s got a little gouge on the end. But the interesting thing, the really exciting thing is that we know how it was used because there was a handle.”
The handle will temporarily be exported to the United States to determine its age and the type of wood used. Getting the latest information on the jade axe and other finds around the country was just one reason tour guide Sandra Hegar attended this year’s symposium.
Sandra Hegar, Vice President, San Ignacio Tour Guide Assn
“Ever since I was little, you know, I live in a Maya community. I’m from Benque and there’s Xunantunich and you know all the Mayas are around and it’s our background, so I think we should all be interested in our past.”
Janelle Chanona
“How, if you could get into archaeology physically, do you see yourself getting down in the dirt right there with the scientists?”
Sandra Hegar
“Oh yes. I’ve been in Barton Creek with some archaeologists doing some mapping, and also excavating some bones, removing them from there, and I’ve been helping them and it’s pretty exciting. I’ve learnt a lot.”
But people like Hegar are few and far between. Looking around the room, it’s hard to miss the fact that archaeology in Belize is pretty much a foreigner’s field. According to Awe, plans to stimulate and encourage local interest are underway.
Dr. Jaime Awe
“We are thinking and considering of next year doing the symposium at a different date. Right now, all the schools are out on vacation so it’s harder to organise our own University of Belize students, Galen University students to come to this event. But one of the things we’ve been doing is trying to encourage the different research projects to invite Belizean students to participate on their projects.”
Until then, budding archaeologists can pick up the papers and presentations made at last year’s symposium which are now available. Reporting for News Five, I am Janelle Chanona.
The public is welcome to attend the presentations, which run through Friday. Registration fee is ten dollars for Belizeans.
