AN EXAMINATION OF THE UAPALA-USULUTÁN CERAMIC …

The Pennsylvania State University

The Graduate School

College of the Liberal Arts

AN EXAMINATION OF THE UAPALA-USULUTÁN CERAMIC SPHERE

USING INSTRUMENTAL NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS

A Dissertation in

Anthropology

by

Craig Thomas Goralski

© 2008 Craig Thomas Goralski

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements

for the Degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

December 2008

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The dissertation of Craig Thomas Goralski was reviewed and approved* by the following:

Kenneth G. Hirth

Professor of Archaeological Anthropology

Dissertation Adviser

Chair of Committee

David L. Webster

Professor of Archaeological Anthropology

Lee A. Newsom

Associate Professor of Archaeological Anthropology

Barry E. Scheetz

Professor of Civil Engineering

Dean R. Snow

Professor of Anthropology

Chair of the Graduate Program in Anthropology

*Signatures are on file in the Graduate School

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ABSTRACT

This thesis summarizes an examination of the Uapala-Usulután Ceramic Sphere using

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Usulután pottery is found at sites within

chiefdoms throughout El Salvador and portions of Honduras during the Late Formative to Early

Classic transition (400 BC – AD 250). Usulután pottery can be divided into two type-varieties:

Izalco Usulután and Bolo Orange. Both type-varieties distinctive for their burnished surface and

orange on cream resist decoration. Izalco Usulután is made with fine textured cream colored

clays. Bolo Orange is made with medium to fine texture buff to orange colored clays. Although

they are similar in appearance, each type has a different pattern of distribution throughout this

region. These patterns of distribution have lead researchers to argue for increased interaction

among the chiefdoms. The region marked by this interaction is called the Uapala Ceramic

Sphere. While some level of interaction is agreed upon, the specific behaviors that caused these

patterns has been debated.

This thesis identifies patterns of Usulután production and distribution using INAA, which

measures the chemical composition of pottery by bombarding samples with neturons through

irradiation and then measuring the characteristic energy released by different elements as they

release them. The amounts of different elements for each sample are used to group sherds

statistically based on compositional similarity. Examination of these groups can identify loci of

production and the subsequent movement of pots from these loci to where they are used and

deposited.

A total of 229 Usulután sherds were submitted to INAA and their chemical compositions

were compared. Grouping based on compositional similarities revealed that the majority of

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Usulután pottery in the Uapala Ceramic Sphere was made locally, although the majority of

regions within the sphere either exported or imported Usulután pottery in varying amounts.

These patterns of production and distribution suggest that a combination of exchange and

stylistic emulation lead to the Uapala Ceramic Sphere.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Figures………………………...……………………………….………………………….xi

List of Tables…………………………..…………………………….…………………………..xv

Acknowledgements…………………………………………………...……………………........xvi

Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………...…….………………..…1

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………….1

Research Objectives………………………………………...…...………………………..7

Trade and Exchange in Complex Societies.........................................................................8

Research Methodology……………………………………......………………………....13

Results……………………………………………………......…………………………..16

Thesis Organization……………………………………..…..…………………………...18

Chapter 2. USULUTÁN POTTERY……………………...……………………………………..21

Introduction………………………………………...………………………………….....21

Description and Characteristics……………………..……………………………….…..21

Method of Manufacture and History of Investigation……………..………………….…37

Type-Variety Description – Sharer’s Izalco Usulután: Izalco…….…………………….40

Usulután Pottery: Range, Types and Frequencies………………….…………………...43

El Salvador…………………………………………………………….…………………45

El Salvador – Chalchuapa………………………………………….………….....45

El Salvador – Santa Leticia…………………………………………….………...47

El Salvador – Quelepa…………………………………………………….……..49

Honduras………………………………………………………….….…………………..51

Honduras – Naco Valley…………………………………………………………51

Honduras – Lake Yojoa………………………………………………...……..…52

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Honduras – Ulua Valley………………………………………………………….53

Honduras – El Cajon………………………………………………………..……56

Honduras – Comayagua Valley…………………………………………….....…57

Honduras – Copan Valley…………………………………………………..……57

Guatemala…………………………………………………………………………..……60

Belize……………………………………….…………………………………………....61

Summary of Distribution and Sites of Manufacture…………………………………….62

Loci of Production………………………………………….…………………………....66

Context: Usulután Pottery Consumption………………………………………………...71

Type Variety and Modal Analysis of Usulután Pottery…………….…………………...73

Conclusion……………………………………………………….……………………...78

Chapter 3: THE UAPALA CERAMIC SPHERE: SITES AND REGIONS.….........….……….79

Introduction……………………………………………………………….……………..79

Interaction Sphere Concept................................................................................................79

Interaction Spheres and the Ceramic Sphere Concept.......................................................84

The Uapala Ceramic Sphere………………………………………………………….....88

The Uapala Ceramic Sphere: Regional Profiles……………………………………..….96

Comayagua Valley……………………………………………………....……....96

The Ulua Valley……………………………………………………………...…101

Lake Yojoa Region…………………………….…………………………….....108

Naco Valley…………………………………….……………………………....113

Santa Barbara Region……………………….……………………………….....116

El Cajon Region…………………………………………………………...……118

Copan and the Copan Valley...............................................................................121

El Salvador…………………………………………………………………………...…123

Santa Leticia………………………………………………………………….....123

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Chalchuapa…………………………………………………………………..…126

Quelepa………………………………………………………………………....128

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………..….130

Chapter 4: INAA AND PETROGRAPHY..................................................................................131

Introduction......................................................................................................................131

History of Petrographic Analysis and Current Methodology..........................................133

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis: History and Methodology...........................136

The Early Years: 1960’s and 1970’s....................................................................137

The 1980’s...........................................................................................................144

The 1990’s...........................................................................................................157

Historical Overview – INAA...........................................................................................166

Conclusion.......................................................................................................................168

Chapter 5: METHODS................................................................................................................170

Introduction......................................................................................................................170

INAA with the Smithsonian/NIST Partnership...............................................................172

INAA Procedures – Smithsonian/NIST...........................................................................173

Smithsonian/NIST Sample Preparation and Irradiation......................................174

Smithsonian/NIST Statistical Procedures............................................................175

Recent Criticisms of INAA..............................................................................................179

A Dual Approach: Petrography and INAA......................................................................183

Summary of Dissertation Research Methodology...........................................................185

Preliminary Petrographic Research......................................................................185

The Analytical Sample: Spatial Extent................................................................186

Sampling Contexts...............................................................................................187

Vessel Form and Chronological Issues................................................................189

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Sampling of Existing Collections in Honduras and the United States.................191

Sample Coding Protocol......................................................................................194

Conclusion.......................................................................................................................200

Chapter 6: USULUTÁN POTTERY IN THE NORTHERN UAPALA CERAMIC SPHERE..202

Introduction......................................................................................................................202

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Coding Database........................................................203

Coded Sherd Data Summary – All Sherds.......................................................................205

Coded Sherd Data Summary and Interpretation – Specific Types/Varieties...................208

Summary and Interpretation – Bolo Orange....................................................................208

Summary and Interpretation – Izalco Usulután...............................................................216

General Observations on Usulután Pottery......................................................................221

Conclusion.......................................................................................................................226

Chapter 7: RESULTS OF INAA OF USULUTÁN POTTERY..................................................227

Introduction......................................................................................................................227

Results: Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis........................................................227

Cluster Analysis Results and Compositional Group Refinement....................................231

Refined Compositional Group Analysis..........................................................................235

Interpretations of Production and Distribution Based On Refined Compositional

Group Membership..........................................................................................................241

Refined Group 1...............................................................................................................242

Refined Group 2...............................................................................................................243

Refined Group 3...............................................................................................................244

Refined Group 4...............................................................................................................245

Refined Group 5...............................................................................................................246

Refined Group 6...............................................................................................................247

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Refined Group 7...............................................................................................................248

Refined Group 8...............................................................................................................248

Refined Group 9...............................................................................................................249

Refined Group 10.............................................................................................................250

Refined Group 11.............................................................................................................250

Refined Group 12.............................................................................................................251

Refined Group 15.............................................................................................................252

Refined Group 15.2..........................................................................................................253

Refined Group 16.............................................................................................................253

Refined Group 16.2..........................................................................................................254

Conclusion.......................................................................................................................262

Chapter 8: INTERPRETATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS.........................................................271

Introduction......................................................................................................................271

The Uapala Ceramic Sphere: Patterns of Production and Distribution...........................273

The Trade Sphere Model.................................................................................................274

Local Production and Emulation.....................................................................................275

Regional Production and Interregional Exchange...........................................................276

Redefining the Uapala Ceramic Sphere: Usulután as an Interregional

Exchange Good................................................................................................................278

Elite Use of Usulután Pottery: Serving, Feasting and Gifting.........................................283

Using INAA to Examine Ceramic Production and Distribution at the

Regional Level.................................................................................................................286

References…………………………………………………....…….…………………………...289

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Appendix A: Ceramic Coding Sheets for Ceramic Analysis.....……………………………......313

Appendix B: Sherd Coding Data........................................………………………………….…322

Appendix C: Usulután Database from NIST/Smithsonian with Summaries by Type/Variety....373

Appendix D: Clustered Sherd Groups Following INAA.............................................................395

Appendix E: Refined Sherd Groups Following INAA................................................................401

Appendix F: Summaries of Elemental Data for Refined Groups 1-16........................................406

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Izalco Usulután:Usulután Variety flat bottomed plate………………………………....2

Figure 2. Izalco Usulután: Usulután Variety jar……………………………….…………..……...3

Figure 3. Map of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere.............................……………..…………………...3

Figure 3a. Regions and Sites with Significant Amounts of Usulután Pottery Within

the Uapala Ceramic Sphere............................................................................................................14

Figure 4. Puxtla Usulután from Santa Leticia, El Salvador……………………………………..............................................………………...........24

Figure 5. Jicalapa and Olocuitla Usulután from Santa Leticia, El Salvador ………………….....25

Figure 6. Izalco Usulután Flaring-Wall Bowls with Nubbin Supports from

Quelepa, El Salvador.....................................................................................................................26

Figure 7. Puxtla Incised Usulután: Puxtla Variety from Chalchuapa, El Salvador............................................................................…………………………………….....27

Figure 8. Jicalapa Usulután: Jicalapa Variety from Chalchuapa, El Salvador…………....……..27

Figure 9. Izalco Usulután: Izalco Variety from Chalchuapa, El Salvador…......…………..…….28

Figure 10: Izalco Usulután: Santo Domingo Variety from the Naco Valley, Honduras…….......29

Figure 11. Muerdalo Orange: Rio Pelo Variety from the Lower Ulua Valley, Honduras...........................................................................................……………………………29

Figure 12. Rim Profiles and Supports for Zarrosa Orange: Zarrosa Variety

from the Lower Ulua Valley, Honduras………………………..........................………………..30

Figure 13. Muerdalo Orange: Remolino Variety from the Lower Ulua Valley, Honduras.....………………………………………………………..............................................30

Figure 14. Izalco Usulután Barandillal Variety from the Santa Barbara region, Honduras…......31

Figure 15. Muerdalo Orange-related outflaring walled bowl from the El Cajon region, Honduras...................................................................………………………………………….....31

Figure 16. Muerdalo Orange-related shallow dish from the El Cajon region, Honduras..........…32

Figure 17. Izalco Usulután from the Copan Valley………………………………….......………33

Figure 18. Rim Profiles for Jars with Usulután Decoration from Quelepa, El Salvador…..…….34

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Figure 19. Fine textured, Temperless Cream Paste, Muerdalo Orange-related

Sherd Profile from El Cajon region, Honduras…………..................................................………35

Figure 20. Medium textured Bolo Orange sherd profile from

El Cajon region, Honduras ………................................................................................……...…36

Figure 21. Map of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere (Demarest 1986)……………………………….89

Figure 22. Map of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere (Robinson 1988)……………………………….92

Figure 23. Map of the Comayagua Valley…………………………………………………….....97

Figure 24. Map of Yarumela, Comayagua Valley…………………………………………...…..98

Figure 25. Map of the Ulua Valley………………………………………………………..……102

Figure 26. Rio Pelo site map, Ulua Valley……………………………………………………..103

Figure 27. La Guacamaya site map, Ulua Valley…………………………………………...….105

Figure 28. Lake Yojoa Region, Honduras…………………………………………………...…109

Figure 29. Los Naranjos site map, Lake Yojoa region…………………………………………111

Figure 30. Map of the Naco Valley………………………………………………………….…113

Figure 31. La Sierra site map, Naco Valley…………………………………………………….114

Figure 32. Gualjoquito site map, Santa Barbara region………………………………………...117

Figure 33. Map of the El Cajon Region………………………………………………………...119

Figure 34. Santa Leticia site map……………………………………………………………….124

Figure 35. Discriminant Function Plot or Refined Groups 1 through 12....................................237

Figure 36. Discriminant Function Plot Showing the Similarity

Among Refined Groups 10, 11, and 12.......................................................................................238

Figure 37. Discriminant Plot of Refined Compositional Groups................................................240

Figure 38. Refined Group 1, including samples submitted by the author

and those in the NIST database....................................................................................................243



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Figure 51. Refined Group 15.2, including samples submitted by the author




Figure 53. Refined Group 16.2, including samples submitted by the author


Figure 54. The Uapala Ceramic Sphere with El Salvadoran and Honduran sub-spheres............256

Figure 55. The El Salvadoran and Honduran sub-spheres, El Cajon-Comayagua

sub-sphere added..........................................................................................................................258

Figure 56. The El Salvadoran, Honduran, El Cajon - Comayagua sub-spheres,

with Northwestern Uapala – Guatemalan sub-sphere added.......................................................260

Figure 57. The El Salvadoran, Honduran, El Cajon – Comayagua,

Northwestern Uapala – Guatemalan, and Comayagua-based sub-sphere added.........................262

Figure 58. Plot of (Iron) Fe and Cr (Chromium) values for all NIST database samples.............275

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Major Sites and Regions Reporting Usulután Pottery.......………………………...…...44

Table 2. Usulután decorated types and varieties, sorted by paste, slip………………….........64-65

Table 3. Usulután decorated types and varieties in the NIST database by frequency……..264-265

Table 4. Usulután decorated types and varieties in the NIST Database by site…...........…266-269

Table 5. Canonical Discriminant Functions and Elemental Loadings.........................................270

Table 6. Chart showing Refined Compositional Group Membership by Region........................288

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

There are many people to thank for their assistance, guidance, patience and support. First

and foremost I would like to thank my committee chair, Dr. Ken Hirth, for all of his help and

guidance throughout the dissertation process. From the development of the initial research design

that lead to this project through the analysis and editing process, your help in bringing this

research to fruition cannot be understated. Many thanks to committee members, past and present

for their participation and support: current members Dr. David Webster, Dr. Lee Newsom, Dr.

Barry Scheetz, and former committee member Dr. Frances Hayashida for her early input. A

special thanks to the graduate students, staff and faculty at the Department of Anthropology,

Penn State University. They have all contributed to making it a special place to learn and grow.

Early financial support for this research was provided through grants from the research and

Graduate Studies Office (RGSO) and Department of Anthropology.

My deepest appreciation goes to Drs. Pat Urban and Ed Schortman (Kenyon College) for

sharing pottery, ideas and interpretations stemming from their various projects. Their openness

and willingness to share data is a model for other archaeologists to emulate. Many thanks to Dr.

Ron Bishop and Dr. James Blackman (NIST/Smithsonian partnership) for their assistance in the

application of INAA. Specials thanks are due to Ron, whose belief in the importance of this

research and willingness to support it both financially and personally was crucial to its success.

This research was carried out under contract with the Instituto Hondureño de Antropología e

Historia and I am gracious for their continued support of archaeology throughout Honduras,

regardless of time and place. Special thanks go to the staff of the Comayagua Regional Museum

and the people of Comayagua, La Paz and Miravalle.

xvii

This dissertation would not have been completed with the love and support of friends and

family. You are too numerous to mention by name here, but your unwavering belief in me over

the years lifted my spirits more times than I can count. Finally, special recognition must be given

to the late Dr. LeRoy Joesink-Mandeville (California State University Fullerton). He continues to

be a mentor in the true sense of the word. Despite the support and input of everyone mentioned

above, any errors or shortcomings in this dissertation are the author’s alone.

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Chapter 1 – Introduction

Introduction

The goal of this dissertation is to determine whether the presence of Usulután pottery at

sites within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere is the result of a single or multiple spheres of ceramic

production and distribution. Between the Late Formative to Early Classic Period transition (400

BC – AD 250), sites in what are now western, northern and central Honduras and Eastern El

Salvador used a pottery type referred to as Usulután. Usulután ceramics are an important

component of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere, occurring in a range of contexts and at sites of

differing size and function. Usulután is easily recognized in the archaeological record because of

its distinctive orange and cream appearance, resist decoration, and narrow range of medium to

fine pastes (Figures 1 and 2). Usulután ceramics have a long history of investigation throughout

Southeastern Mesoamerica, are widely reported throughout the sphere and are thought to have

played a significant role in both local and regional political economies. However, whether this

type was produced locally or represents a trade ware has remained largely unanswered. This

project employs chemical compositional methods in order to identify patterns of ceramic

production and distribution. These patterns are used to assess whether the Uapala Ceramic

Sphere represents a large single sphere of ceramic exchange or multiple spheres of more

localized exchange, and the effects these patterns of production had on political economies at the

local and regional levels.

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Figure 1. Izalco Usulután: Usulután Variety flat bottomed plate from El Salvador.

(http://exchanges.state.gov/culprop/elsalvad/ti/00000031.jpg)

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Figure 2. Izalco Usulután: Usulután Variety jar from El Salvador.

(http://exchanges.state.gov/culprop/elsalvad/ti/00000033.jpg)

The Uapala Ceramic Sphere (see Chapter 2) was first proposed by Andrews (1977), who

used the ceramic sphere concept to explain broad similarities in ceramic complexes at sites

within a boundary encompassing nearly 30,000 sq. km (Figure 3). The sphere was dominated by

chiefdom societies whose elite figures controlled or influenced entire valleys or portions of

valleys. Primate sites within two or three-tiered settlement hierarchies are common within these

chiefdom societies, as are abundant signs of ranking. Culturally, the majority of the sites within

the sphere are thought to have been Lenca speaking, although along the western border of the

sphere inhabitants are likely to have been Maya speakers. There is considerable differentiation

from region to region within the sphere in terms of site planning, household architecture and

http://exchanges.state.gov/culprop/elsalvad/ti/00000033.jpg�

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material goods, and ceramic complexes tend to show more differences than similarities (see

Chapter 4).

Figure 3. Map of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere (Robinson 1988)

Despite these differences in location and cultural trajectories, Andrews identified the

presence of similar pottery throughout the sphere and suggested that these similarities reflected

some level of cultural contact. Within the sphere, the most widely shared pottery is Usulután.

5

Usulután refers to several ceramic types exhibiting medium to fine paste and distinctive resist

decoration incorporating orange and cream hues (see Chapter 3). Usulután occurs in varying

frequencies throughout the sphere, with some regions reporting significant amounts of Usulután

within ceramic complexes and others reporting only minimal amounts of the type, suggesting

that the desire or ability to procure or produce this type differed significantly from region to

region. Reflecting on his research at Quelepa (Figure 3), Andrews (1970, 1971) noted that

Usulután has stylistic antecedents in some portions of El Salvador, but these stylistic antecedents

were absent in the rest of the sphere. He used these patterns of Usulután precursors to suggest

that sites in the southwest of the sphere such as Quelepa may have played a central role in both

the development of Usulután and for the sphere as a whole.

Researchers after Andrews have expanded on the Uapala Ceramic Sphere concept, with

some arguing for more than one sphere (Robinson 1988) and others musing on the meaning of

the sphere in terms of behavior (Wonderley 1991). Although the Uapala Ceramic Sphere concept

itself has been discussed, investigations of production, distribution and consumption have not

been furthered since Andrews’ early thoughts. Instead, a number of competing models have been

proposed that could be used to explain the presence of Usulután in the sphere. It is possible that

ceramic production took place in a single locus in some portion of the sphere and that the

ceramics produced in this location were traded over long distances to sites in the sphere. It is also

possible that Usulután’s presence is the result of widespread emulation of the Usulután

decorative techniques, and trade, if any, was localized. It is also possible that production

occurred in several locations within the sphere together with a moderate degree of trade. Of

course, these different models carry with them significant differences in economic, political and

6

social behavior, and determining which of these scenarios is best supported by the data will shed

much light on a number of cultural processes.

The study of trade in this portion of the Southeastern Mesoamerican Periphery during the

Late Formative to Early Classic period transition is important for a number of reasons.

Discerning whether Usulután ceramics distribution was the result of long-distance trade or more

localized patterns of production and distribution serves to characterize the political economies of

sites and regions within the sphere. The ability of elites to control the importation and

distribution of imported prestige goods from a significant distance versus their ability to sponsor

or otherwise control localized production and distribution reflect differing political, economic

and ideological strategies at the site and polity levels (see Chapter 2). By characterizing this

segment of the political economies within the sphere, it is possible to eliminate some models for

the maintenance of social complexity in favor of others.

The study of trade is also important within this region because many of the sites in this

region are located in the Comayagua Depression, one of the few geographic features promoting

north-south migration across an otherwise hostile landscape. This portion of the Southeastern

Mesoamerican Periphery has long been characterized as an intermediate area, with culture traits

from Mesoamerica, Lower Central America and South America passing through this region to

influence cultural trajectories to both the north and south. Explanations of how these cultural

traits were transmitted remains speculative at best. By understanding how culture traits within

the sphere spread and were maintained, this study provides one explanation of how influences

from regions to the north and south may have been transmitted across this intermediate area.

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Research Objectives

This project was designed in order to test three alternative models for the presence of

Usulután ceramics throughout the Uapala Ceramic Sphere:

1) The trade sphere model - Usulután was produced at a single locus somewhere

within the ceramic sphere, with its distribution reflecting long distance trade

within a single ceramic sphere.

2) Local manufacture and emulation - Usulután pottery was locally produced at

many sites within the Uapala ceramic sphere, with this production traveling

little to no distance from loci of production to where it was consumed.

3) Regional production and interregional exchange – this model proposes that

Usulután was produced at some or all of the sites within the Uapala Ceramic

Sphere, but this production alone does not constitute all of the Usulután

pottery present. Both local production and foreign production that was

exchanged locally are represented.

It should be noted, however, that the behavioral implications of the third model can vary

widely. Proportions of local Usulután production versus imported Usulután may indicate

differing levels of interest or ability to conduct long-distance trade within the sphere.

Additionally, one portion of the sphere may be explained by a scenario in which all Usulután

was imported from a distance, while other portions of the sphere may have produced their own

Usulután for local consumption.

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Trade and Exchange in Complex Societies

The three alternative models presented above can be considered reasonable explanations

for the patterns of Usulután distribution seen throughout the Uapala Ceramic Sphere because a

robust body of trade and exchange theory and its archaeological and ethnoarchaeological

applications has shown that in complex societies such as chiefdoms, regional stylistic patterns

can often be the result of long-distance exchange. Although ethnoarchaeological work among the

Kalinga by Longacre and his colleagues (Longacre et al. 1988, Longacre and Stark 1992, Stark

1992) reminds us that goods are capable of moving moderate distances without any involvement

by anyone other than the manufacturers themselves, many explanations for regional patterns of

material culture among complex societies argue for some level of outside influence or control

(Frankenstein and Rowlands 1978, Kipp and Schortman 1989).

One such explanation is the political model argued by Brumfiel and Earle (1987), who

suggest that elites organize the specialized production of goods and their exchange to create and

maintain social inequality, strengthen political coalitions, and fund new institutions of control.

The links between production, exchange and power in complex societies was further argued by

Blanton et al (1996). Blanton and his colleagues argued that those in power in complex societies

maintain their position through two general strategies: exclusionary, in which individuals seek to

monopolize power, and corporate, in which individuals seek to organize the distribution of

power as managers within a prescribed power structure. Key to both strategies is influence or

control over production and how that production is distributed. In Early and Middle Formative

periods in Mesoamerica, Blanton and his colleagues argue that a common way that this control

was achieved was through the sponsorship or control of long-distance exchange. Sought after

goods brought in from a distance were used or displayed in feasts or given as gifts, which served

9

to both cement relationships among elites and differentiate elites from non-elites in

Mesoamerican complex societies.

Feasts are an effective way to assert claims of power and status and are well documented

both ethnographically and archaeologically (Dietler and Hayden 2001, Wiessner and

Schiefenhovel 1996), especially in chiefdoms (Blitz 1993, Cobb 2003, Dye 1995, Hockett 1998,

Junker 2001, Welch 1991, Welch and Scarry 1995).

The importance of feasting events has been defined in a number of ways by researchers.

Several researchers (Blake and Clark 1999, Clark and Blake 1994, Costin and Earle 1989,

Hayden 1995) have noted that evidence for feasting appears at the same time as evidence for

emerging elites, and that the political, economic and social behaviors that are required for regular

feasts contribute to the permanency of status distinctions. For example, Hayden (1990) argues

that highly competitive individuals in chiefdoms sought to accumulate foodstuffs in order to

redistribute them in specialized events. In societies in which there are corporate land use rights

and/or shared group ownership of tools or facilities integral to the collection of food, these

‘accumulators’ spur the increased exploitation of a resource. Their roles as administrators or

spokesmen at times of communal gathering provide the opportunity to take credit for particularly

large harvests or other periods of resource abundance. By linking themselves to abundant food

collection, these accumulators have the opportunity to exert economic leverage on their

corporate supporters. In this way, the emergence of social stratification and increased food

collection are linked, with outright food production in a socially complex setting often the end

result.

Others define the importance of feasting in terms of how already existing social

inequalities are maintained and reinforced. Brumfiel (1987) notes that in Late Prehispanic

10

Central Mexico, feasts were matters of both political and social importance. Feasting marked the

succession of rule in kingdoms and noble houses, and feasts were conducted to facilitate the

internal administration of political units. Feasts were also the pretext for the redistribution of

exotic foodstuffs and currency to administrative and service personnel, and were often held as a

forum for the discussion of local and regional affairs. In pre-state Mexico, feasts were more

abundant and localized, serving as mechanisms for the definition and negotiation of social status

and political power. Instead of being held in palace or administrative contexts, pre-state feasts

would have been more household based, with the negotiations among elite members of these

societies being less ostentatious, less codified and less a matter of public record than the state

level feasts that followed.

In the archaeological record, feasting is commonly argued based on three general lines of

evidence: food remains, ceramic data and identification of special purpose structures or

architecture (for a synthetic study using all of these, see Pauketat et al 2002). Because feasts

require large quantities of foodstuffs, and may include exotic or rare ‘prestige’ foods, they often

leave behind faunal or botanical evidence that is easily distinguishable from common household

consumption. Feasting can be visible in the archaeological record as large single deposition

episodes of animal remains, shells, or organic materials. One can also expect to see a narrowing

of the diversity of species represented in a deposit, as those holding the feast seek to share large

quantities of the same food. Additionally, one might expect to see a less skewed skeletal

representation of animal parts, as chiefs or other elites seek to minimize the high costs of feasts

by maximizing the amount of meat from as few animals as possible.

In Mesoamerica, where post-depositional conditions often result in the loss of some or all

of the organic material at an archaeological site, feasting has been more commonly argued on the

11

basis of ceramic data. At the site of Huexotla in the eastern Valley of Mexico, Brumfiel (1987)

examined patterns of pottery distribution within an elite urban core and nearby piedmont.

Excavation units within the urban core dated to both prior and after Aztec domination. The

piedmont portion of the site was only occupied after Aztec control and integration into the

empire.

During the Late Postclassic Period, serving vessels, defined by Brumfiel as thin-walled

vessels with shapes suitable for the serving of food and drink, dominated all ceramic wares at the

site. Based on the frequency of identifiable rim sherds, 65% of the sherds excavated were orange

and red ware service vessels, with hemispherical bowls and dishes with supports constituting

88% of the orange ware and hemispherical bowls constituting 96% of the red wares. These

pottery types are labor intensive and were likely manufactured by specialists. She notes that

urban portion of the site has much more serving vessels (34% more identifiable rim sherds) than

does the piedmont during the same period. She interprets these higher numbers of serving vessels

in the urban core as evidence for the use of serving vessels in feasting behavior among elites

residing in the core.

A comparison of the amounts and frequency of serving vessels during the early and late

periods of occupation at the site reveals that while the overall frequency of serving vessels did

not change, decorated serving vessels are 17% less common in the later contexts. If, as Brumfiel

argues, the decorated serving vessels were the types most likely to have been used by elites in

feasting behavior, one can interpret a significant decrease in feasting activity during the later

period of occupation. Brumfiel attributes this decrease in decorated serving vessels to the

inclusion of Huexotla in the Aztec empire. Traditional feasting to negotiate and reaffirm status

12

differentials and alliances was no longer needed as frequently, with the administration of the

empire obviating the need for many of the feasting events.

Two examples of feasting have been argued for sites within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere.

At the site of Rio Pelo in the Ulúa Valley, Wonderley has argued that chiefs and other elite

individuals may have participated in feasting during the Late Formative period. A single event,

60cm thick deposit was found that contained large pot sherds and faunal material at the base of

Mound I. Faunal material included peccaries, white-tailed deer, birds, fish and turtle. The pot

sherds, which included Usulután pottery, were large and frequently conjoinable, suggesting that

the vessels in the deposit were broken at the mound and deposited immediately. As we will see

in Chapter 3, Usulután pottery is dominated by vessels used to serve foods. The combination of a

large amount of faunal remains and pottery restricted to service ware leads Wonderley to suggest

that the deposit represents a single feasting event held to commemorate the initiation of Mound I

(Wonderley 1991: 155).

Wonderley argues that Usulután pottery may have been specifically manufactured for use

in these feasting events, and that the widespread presence of Usulután pottery may be due, in

large part, to pan-regional feasting behavior (Wonderley 1991: 164-166).

Canuto (2004: 47) and Schortman and Urban (2004: 324) have argued that feasting likely

took place during the Early Classic in the Copan Valley. At the secondary site of Los Achiotes,

deposits associated with a central ball court were dominated by serving plates and dishes with

Usulután decoration. These deposits, which date to the Early Classic period, were part of a ritual

zone at the site, where signs of regional contacts and outside influence are prevalent. Canuto

argues that Usulután pottery may have functioned as ritual serving vessels for feasting activities

associated with the ballgame, as elites sought to express their political and economic connections

13

to both the primate site of Copan as well as sites as far as the El Salvadoran and Guatemala

highlands.

The review above has discussed some of the ways in which regional patterns in material

culture can be explained for complex societies. In many cases, these patterns are the result of

long distance exchange which is often sponsored, influenced, or controlled by select individuals

within a society. The review has suggested reasons why individuals would bother to devote so

much energy to long distance exchange and has suggested that feasting and gift giving were two

ways in which individuals within Formative Period Mesoamerica could have translated this

control over production and distribution into political and economic power. Essential to

understanding whether these explanations are supported archaeologically is the identification of

patterns of production and distribution for goods sharing a regional style.

Research Methodology

In order to identify patterns of production and distribution for Usulután ceramics, 229

ceramic samples from sites within the sphere (Figure 3a) were analyzed using Instrumental

Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) at the Conservation Analytical Laboratory, Smithsonian

Institution. INAA allows samples to be distinguished and grouped compositionally in order to

determine their locus of manufacture. Samples are irradiated by bombarding them with neutrons,

with each atom within the sample becoming an unstable isotope. The irradiated samples then

decay at the atomic level, with the differing amounts of energy emitted by decaying atoms being

used to identify the amount of each element comprising the sample. Samples were irradiated and

the amounts of a range of elements were measured, creating an overall chemical composition

profile for each sample. Using standards established at the Smithsonian, compositional profiles

14

were grouped statistically based on their similarity in composition to identify similar loci of

production, with statistically similar samples thought to have been derived from the same source

clays and therefore the same locus of production.

Figure 3a. Regions and Sites with significant amounts of Usulután pottery within the Uapala

Ceramic Sphere: 1 – Copan Valley, 2 – Naco Valley, 3 - Ulúa Valley, 4 – Central Santa Barbara

Region, 5- Southwestern Honduras, 6 – Lake Yojoa, 7 – El Cajon Region, 8 – Comayagua

Valley, 9 – Chalchuapa, 10 – Santa Leticia, 11 – Quelepa (Adapted from Henderson and

Beaudry-Corbett 1993)

15

For this project, two categories of samples were included for analysis: samples of

Usulután pottery regardless of paste appearance and samples representing non-Usulután pottery

made with a cream colored or fine paste. Usulután samples selected for analysis represent the full

range of vessel types, paste appearance and type of decoration whenever possible in an attempt

to sample all of the Usulután variants in the archaeological record. Any imitation Usulután

mimicking imported Usulután was sampled for by representing the full range of pastes. Cream

and fine-paste non-Usulután samples were selected for analysis because the clays used for these

non-Usulután types are most likely to have been used in the manufacture of imitation Usulután

pottery by local potters.

By combining these two categories, the sampling strategy sought to represent the full

range of Usulután, including those types thought by researchers to be both probable imports and

locally manufactured, and localized production of pottery that lacked Usulután decoration, but

were similar in terms of paste appearance. Compositional comparison of these categories

provides the best way to identify patterns of production, distribution and consumption and

highlight any vessels that were imported from a distance.

Prior to analysis, a total of 327 sherds from 16 different sites within the Uapala Ceramic

Sphere were examined and coded for 27 different attributes. This examination was conducted in

order to bring to light any regional or sphere-wide trends in Usulután pottery that might inform

the inferences from the compositional data. This examination also served to test the conventional

wisdom regarding Usulután pottery, which to date has been based on site specific or regional

data alone.

The 327 samples were submitted for analysis to the Conservation Analytical Laboratory

at the Smithsonian Institution under the direction of Dr. Ronald Bishop. Of the 327 submitted

16

samples, 229 were irradiated and analyzed using methods and standards for INAA and the

statistical analysis of compositional data established by the lab and Dr. Bishop (see Chapter 5).

Following the generation of compositional data for these samples, their data was added to an

existing compositional database of 4950 ceramic and clay samples conducted at the same lab

using the same preparation and analytical methods. This existing database reflects a composite

sample for Southeastern Mesoamerica involving multiple projects and the collaboration of

various researchers. Included in the composite database are samples from additional sites within

the sphere, many of which conform to the sampling strategy adopted for this study. Included are

samples of Usulután pottery, samples representing non-Usulután pottery made with a cream

colored or fine paste, and samples representing large utilitarian vessels, regardless of their paste

appearance. A comprehensive representation of the Uapala sphere as possible was attempted by

combining this project’s samples with those in the existing database. Compositional data were

analyzed statistically and grouped based on similarity. Samples of statistically similar

composition were assumed to have been produced with the same clays and therefore to have

emanated from the same locus of production.

Results

Using a 10 element spectrum, compositional INAA data for these 229 samples were

subjected to cluster analysis, principal component analysis and discriminant analysis in an

attempt to identify any statistically significant compositional groups. Of the 229 samples, 170

found membership in 13 refined compositional groups. Of these a total of 129 samples clustered

into 6 compositional groups statistically refined to a 95% confidence interval. A total of 41

samples found membership in 7 groups that were visually refined by Bishop. These

17

compositional groups were compared to the NIST database in an attempt to identify any samples

from across southeastern Mesoamerica that belonged in any group. A total of 72 additional

sherds were added from the NIST database to the refined groups, for a total of 242 samples.

These groups were found to be compositionally distinct from one another, allowing each group

to be interpreted as a distinct clay resource or mixture of resources used for ceramic production.

By combining information on provenience, vessel form, paste appearance and decoration

from the coding data and the compositional group data, it was possible to identify patterns of

Usulután ceramic production within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. First, there appears to have

been very little trade between the El Salvadoran and Honduran portions of the sphere. A single

sherd excavated from contexts in El Salvador was found in a Honduran compositional group, and

there is no evidence at this time linking pottery production in El Salvador to contexts in

Honduras. Second, most of the regions within the Honduran portion of the sphere appear to have

been producing their own Usulután as well as importing Usulután pottery from other regions,

and sub-spheres of more intense interaction are represented by the data. While more samples will

clarify the proportion of imported to local pottery and help refine patterns of Usulután

distribution within each region, the data thus far suggests that imported Usulután pottery was

concentrated at primary sites and in elite portions of sites and found in much smaller amounts at

secondary sites or in non-elite contexts.

These patterns of production and distribution support the interpretation that in many cases

Usulután pottery was an imported prestige good, with chiefs or other elite figures playing a role

in its acquisition and distribution. Such patterns, when combined with information regarding

vessel form and decoration, support the interpretation that at least some Usulután pottery was

used as special service vessels in ritual events, including chiefly feasting.

18

The addition of more samples to the NIST database will likely clarify and refine some of

the patterns of production and distribution presented in this dissertation. However, the

combination of coding data on Usulután from throughout the Uapala Ceramic Sphere and the

application of INAA represents a major step forward in our understanding of the Uapala Ceramic

Sphere, Usulután production and distribution, and the role Usulután pottery played in site

specific and regional economic, political and ideological behavior.

Thesis Organization

The presentation of this thesis is divided into 8 chapters that present the method, context

and findings of the research conducted. Following the chapters, the raw data from the various

forms of ceramic analysis are presented in appendix form.

Chapter 2 discusses Usulután pottery. This pottery is widely distributed throughout

Mesoamerica and Lower Central America. Although it has been reported for decades,

interpretations of its role in local and regional culture trajectories vary and researchers have not

found uniform ways to identify it in terms of its appearance. Chapter 3 describes Usulután

pottery and its variants, summarizes its history of investigation, and discusses the interpretations

that have been offered regarding its method of manufacture, loci of production and importance in

ceramic complexes. The chapter outlines the type-variety system of ceramic analysis and

assesses the usefulness of the approach to the understanding of Usulután pottery.

Chapter 3 describes the sites and regions within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. Site-specific

and regional histories are discussed, with special emphasis being placed on their political

economies, ceramic complexes, and evidence of ceramic production. Regional trends in social

complexity are summarized and previous characterizations of chiefdoms are discussed, focusing

19

on whether research to date supports models in which long-distance trade is possible and whether

prestige goods economies played a significant role in regional and site-specific cultural

trajectories.

Chapter 4 discusses two methods used to chemically characterize pottery: petrography

and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. First, the methodology and rationale behind using

petrography is presented and some cases in which it has been successfully used are discussed.

Then the chapter discusses the methodology used in INAA, focusing on studies involving

ceramic production and distribution in Mesoamerica. The applicability of these methods to

questions of Usulután pottery are evaluated and INAA is argued to be the more appropriate

method for this study.

The methodology and sampling employed in this project is summarized in Chapter 5. The

chapter outlines the methodologies and protocol used by the Archaeometry program at the

Smithsonian Institution and the National Institute of Standards and Technology reactor facility

for sample preparation, irradiation, analysis and statistical evaluation. A recent critique of INAA

methods and rebuttals of this critique are considered in light of the data set for this project and

the research questions being posed.

Then the chapter turns to the specific samples chosen for this study and how they were

studied prior to the application of INAA. First, the sampling strategy used in this study is

presented. Then, descriptions of the samples selected for study and the contexts in which they

were drawn are provided. The chapter ends with a discussion of the coding of each sample for its

characteristic attributes and how these data will inform both considerations of Usulután pottery

and the compositional data derived from INAA.

20

Chapters 6 and 7 present the coding data and chemical characterization data generated by

INAA. The Chapter 6 summarizes the coding data and describes the 327 sample population in

terms of 27 different attributes. These coding data are used to re-evaluate the two major type-

varieties sampled, Bolo Orange and Izalco Usulután, in light of a sphere-wide data set. The

INAA data is presented in Chapter 7. The chemical concentrations for 229 samples are

summarized and trends in the data based on these concentrations are presented. The process of

statistical analysis and the formation of compositional groups are then presented. The validity of

these groups are argued and group membership is then summarized.

Chapter 8 presents the interpretations of the data and conclusions. Using both the coding

data and the compositional data, patterns of Usulután production and distribution are identified

and evaluated. The Uapala Ceramic Sphere concept is reevaluated in light of these new patterns

and a new definition of the sphere in geographic and behavioral terms is provided. Chapter 8

then returns to the research questions and models presented earlier in this chapter, summarizing

how this research impacts our understanding of ceramic production, trade and exchange, and the

nature of chiefdoms during the Late Formative to Early Classic transition in Southeastern

Mesoamerica.

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Chapter 2: Usulután Pottery

Introduction

The Uapala Ceramic Sphere examined by this project is partly defined by the presence of

Usulután pottery. Widely recognized as one of the finest pottery types manufactured in pre-

contact Mesoamerica, Usulután pottery is easy distinguishable from other types in archaeological

deposits and is often used as a primary step in identifying Late Formative/Preclassic and Early

Classic occupations. This chapter will first describe Usulután pottery in a broad sense, including

the range of variation observable within the sphere. Then the history of investigation and

thoughts on the method of manufacture will be discussed. Some competing hypotheses for the

method of manufacture will be evaluated based on the author’s visual inspection of Usulután

throughout the sphere. This chapter will then detail the type and variety of Usulután pottery most

commonly cited in comparisons of Usulután pottery, Izalco Usulután: Izalco Variety (Sharer

1978b: 39). Following the description of this pottery, the chapter will shift to where types and

varieties of Usulután are found across the sphere and beyond, how they are characterized by

researchers in these regions, the temporal range in which they are found and their frequencies.

The chapter will then consider Usulután in more behavioral terms, focusing on its evolution as a

type, arguments for where it was produced, and the contexts in which Usulután was used in

prehistory. The chapter ends with a consideration of how the techniques used by researchers to

classify Usulután pottery have impacted how it is reported and understood by researchers.

Description and Characteristics

The term Usulután refers to a mode of ceramic decoration. It covers a range of ‘resist’

techniques of decoration found on a variety of different vessel forms that results in a wide range

22

of appearances (Figures 4-17). It has proven difficult to categorize Usulután pottery in a

comprehensive manner, with researchers opting for a type-variety manner of classification

Attributes used to classify Usulután pottery have included surface finish, color, decorative modes

and paste characteristics (Demarest and Sharer 1982; Gifford 1976: 116). Because Usulután

pottery membership is largely determined by a decorative technique rather than by vessel form,

rim form, paste, or other more traditional characteristics, typological terminology has been

difficult to standardize outside of western El Salvador (Demarest and Sharer 1982: 810).

The name Usulután is derived from a region of El Salvador where high frequencies of

this pottery is found. Pottery decorated in the Usulután style is generally characterized by an

attempt through various means to create a muted bichrome effect in which lines, blotches, dots

and other design elements of a lighter hue are contrasted against a dominant darker hue using a

resist technique. Lines of decoration, usually parallel and in discrete sets, are the most common

design element (Figures 4 a,d and f and 15). Dots are less common, and splotches or zones of

resist decoration are the least prevalent in the archaeological record (Figure 4 a, c and e).

The dominant color scheme is orange with cream colored decorative elements. It should

be noted, however, that there is a considerable range of color variation, with the dominant color

ranging from red through orange to orange-pink. The secondary color can range from white

through cream to a pink-cream and even a light tan color. Some vessels appear to have been fired

deliberately to create a ‘tiger-striped’ appearance, with the dominant color of the vessel being

black with orange lines, splotches or dots.

This decoration takes place upon a smooth and glossy surface finish on the vessel, and

the majority of Usulután pottery appears to have been well burnished. In some cases burnishing

lines are visible beneath the decoration, but this is generally not the case.

23

While vessel forms for Usulután pottery can be highly variable, the majority of vessels

are service pottery, with cooking or storage vessels bearing Usulután decoration largely absent in

the archaeological record. A common Usulután vessel form is a plate or low-walled bowl with a

flat or slightly concave bottom (Figures 6, 9 f-1, and 15). A subset of this form is the flat

bottomed plate with a ‘dimpled’ center. These plates commonly have out-flaring walls and

supports and thickened or out-turned rims. Decoration on these vessel forms tends to be

concentrated on the interior, although some decoration on both the interior and exteriors of the

vessels are common.

24

Figure 4. Puxtla Usulután from Santa Leticia, El Salvador (Demarest 1986)

25

Figure 5. Jicalapa and Olocuitla Usulután from Santa Leticia, El Salvador (Demarest 1986)

26

Figure 6. Izalco Usulután Flaring-Wall Bowls with Nubbin Supports from Quelepa, El Salvador

(Andrews 1976)

27

Figure 7. Puxtla Incised Usulután: Puxtla Variety from Chalchuapa, El Salvador (Sharer 1978b)

Figure 8. Jicalapa Usulután: Jicalapa Variety from Chalchuapa, El Salvador (Sharer 1978b)

28

Figure 9. Izalco Usulután: Izalco Variety from Chalchuapa, El Salvador (Sharer 1978b)

29

Figure 10: Izalco Usulután: Santo Domingo Variety from the Naco Valley, Honduras (Urban

1993a)

Figure 11. Muerdalo Orange: Rio Pelo Variety from the Lower Ulúa Valley, Honduras

(Beaudry-Corbett et al 1993)

30

Figure 12. Rim Profiles and Supports for Zarrosa Orange: Zarrosa Variety form the Lower Ulúa

Valley, Honduras (Beaudry-Corbett et al 1993)

Figure 13. Muerdalo Orange: Remolino Variety from the Lower Ulúa Valley, Honduras

(Beaudry-Corbett et al 1993)

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Figure 14. Izalco Usulután: Barandillal Variety from the Santa Barbara region, Honduras (Urban

1993b)

Figure 15. Muerdalo Orange-related outflaring walled bowl from the El Cajon region, Honduras

(Hirth et al 1989)

32

Figure 16. Muerdalo Orange-related shallow dish from the El Cajon region, Honduras (Hirth et

al 1989)

33

Figure 17. Izalco Usulután from the Copan Valley (Hopkins 1986)

34

Simple hemispherical bowls are also common, with the occurrence of outturned or

bolstered rims less common than for plates. Again, the interior of these vessels tend to bear more

decoration than the exterior, and rim decoration is commonly seen. Jars with Usulután decoration

are largely absent from the archaeological record, although some have been reported at sites in El

Salvador (Fig. 18).

Figure 18. Rim Profiles for Jars with Usulután Decoration from Quelepa, El Salvador (Andrews

1976)

Clay used to manufacture Usulután pottery tends to be fine (Fig. 19) to medium (Fig. 20)

in appearance, with little to no evidence of temper. Some very fine variants are seen, but these

tend to be fairly rare. When temper is visible in cross-section, it tends to be ash or a fine silty

sand. The clays used tend to fire to colors ranging from white to medium brown, with white to

cream coloration dominating.

35

Figure 19. Fine textured, Temperless Cream Paste, Muerdalo Orange-related Sherd Profile from

El Cajon region, Honduras

36

Figure 20. Medium textured Bolo Orange sherd profile from El Cajon region, Honduras

37

Overall, the general appearance of Usulután pottery is that of a finely made vessel

requiring time and effort to manufacture. The color contrasts tend to be striking, and the lines,

dots or splotches of resist decoration produce an esthetically pleasing product. When compared

to the rest of the ceramic assemblages where it is found, Usulután pottery tends to look very

different, resulting in a finished product of notable quality (Demarest and Sharer 1982: 810-811).

Method of Manufacture and History of Investigation

The exact method by which Usulután decoration was accomplished has been vociferously

debated by researchers since the first time it was identified. The decorative technique was first

discussed by Lothrop (1933: 51), who suggested that the lighter hue designs were simply the

result of black painted lines that had dissolved, taking with it part of a second slip and revealing

the lighter base color of the vessel beneath it.

Shook and Kidder, noted the decorative technique on ceramics excavated from Mound E-

III-3 at Kaminaljuyu, speculating that wax could have been applied to a burnished vessel, thus

protecting the wax-applied designs from a darker coating of paint or slip that was applied after

the wax resist. The decorative effect, they suggested, was created when the wax resist would

melt off, revealing the lighter designs of the original vessel color prior to the dark paint or slip

application. This assertion was based on their recognition that some runs or blobs of the lighter

hue are visible in some of the more poorly decorated Usulután vessels, suggesting that this was

indeed a ‘resist’ technique (Shook and Kidder 1952: 100).

In a further study of Usulután pottery at Kaminaljuyu by Wetherington (1978: 101), it

was suggested that instead of a wax application or other preventative measure to prevent a

38

second slip from covering up a primary, lighter hued slip, the second slip was ‘drawn off’ of the

vessel while the second slip was still wet. The second slip or paint could be removed using an

instrument with several teeth to reveal the primary color of the vessel and resulting the ‘resist’

appearance of the vessel.

This technique was tested experimentally by Sharer (1978b: 134-5), who test fired and

decorated a number of ceramic plaques using the wax-resist method of decoration in an attempt

to better understand the Usulután pottery found at Chalchuapa, El Salvador. Plaques were

burnished, slipped, and decorated using a wax substance before slipped a second time. The

Usulután technique was produced with great clarity and color. Although the scraping method

championed by Wetherington was not tested, Sharer felt that the amount of similarity between

excavated Usulután vessels and his own test plaques strongly suggested the wax-resist method

was the most likely technique employed by ancient potters. To date no attempt has been made to

repeat the scraping technique. Finally, Mary Hopkins examined Izalco Usulután samples as part

of the Santa Leticia Project to clarify the decorative technique applied to Usulután pottery (Fig.

16). Using binocular microscopy on samples from Chalchuapa and Copan, Hopkins determined

that the likely method of manufacture for Usulután pottery was a three step process. First, the

leather-hard vessel was decorated with a resist substance using a multiple brush. Then the vessel

was polished, usually in a direction that was not likely to smear the resist lines on the vessel.

Next, the substance responsible for the darker main color of the vessel was added and the vessel

was fired. This process produced a resist decorated vessel that lacked a second slip. To test

whether this effect was restricted to a certain firing temperature, Hopkins re-fired multiple sherds

with this technique are variable temperatures, and the results showed no discoloration or muting

of the resist effect. Additional analysis of sherds using a scanning electron microscope failed to

39

find any evidence of a primary slip beneath the darker slip that provides the main coloration of

Usulután vessels (Hopkins 1986: 242-246).

Based on this analysis, Hopkins concluded that two-layer techniques in which one slip is

applied and is then decorated with a resist substance prior to a second slipping and subsequent

firing are generally not supported by her research. Further, it appears from her research that the

application of a wax substance on the vessel to allow the resist contrast characteristic of Usulután

pottery is also not supported due to the likelihood that vessel burnishing and wax application

would have resulted in blurred or streaky lines incongruent with finished Usulután pottery found

in archaeological contexts. Finally, her research does not support theories suggesting the vessel

was fired with substances that change color to produce designs of contrasting colors. The result

of her work was that basically every major hypothesis outlining possible methods of decoration

for Usulután pottery was rejected.

Hopkins suggests two additional theories that have yet to be tested: first, she suggests that

a variation of the double-slip hypothesis is possible. An extremely thin iron-based wash applied

to a dark orange or red vessel could penetrate the dark slip, thereby causing the paste underneath

to fire differently than the rest of the vessel. The differential firing as a result of the iron based

wash creates the diagnostic resist markings. Second, Hopkins suggests a variation of Shepard’s

alkali paint hypothesis. Shepard suggested that alkali paints can fire to lighter colors then they

appear when unfired. Hopkins suggests that applying these paints to the vessel prior to firing

could cause variations in slip appearance and cause the characteristic resist patterning. While

Hopkins admits that neither hypothesis is strongly supported by any data at the time, the dearth

of viable options and the possibility that these two methods could have been employed rendered

them the best possible guess at the time (Hopkins 1986: 247-249).

40

From personal observation I would suggest that both Wetherington and Sharer are correct

in their assessments of Usulután decoration. In the vast majority of Usulután vessels, the clean

lines of a wax resist technique or other non-etched method of decoration are clearly visible.

There are, however, some vessels decorated in an Usulután-like manner where the lines of

decoration are jagged, suggesting that there was a forcible removal of a second slip from the

vessel, either with a tool or through the application of an acid. My suggestion of the removal of a

second slip to reveal a first on some Usulután pottery is not new. None other than Anna Shepard

discussed the possible application of acids to Usulután pottery, determining under microscopic

examination that the scarring usually left by acid application was absent from her sample and

was therefore not likely to have been used in their decoration (Shepard 1966: 211-213). I am not

suggesting that Shepard was incorrect in her examination, but rather that her sample was

inconclusive, and not representative of the broad range of Usulután pottery available to

researchers today.

Type-Variety Description – Sharer’s Izalco Usulután: Izalco

Archaeologists throughout Southeastern Mesoamerica have described Usulután in a

variety of ways, but the most commonly cited description is that of Sharer’s type and variety,

Izalco Usulután: Izalco found at Chalchuapa, El Salvador (1978b) (Fig. 9). It is often cited

because it was one of the earliest thorough descriptions of the type in the archaeological

literature. The type and variety descriptions are based on 8,300 sherds and a dozen whole

vessels. The Usulután ceramics found at Chalchuapa likely represents pottery that was

manufactured locally and possibly traded (see below). Further, the Izalco ceramic group

constitutes nearly 10% of the Caynac Ceramic Complex at Chalchuapa. The Caynac Ceramic

41

Complex includes 11 ceramic groups, many of which have multiple types per group, adding to

the importance of the Izalco group in the overall ceramic sequence at the site.

Archaeologists throughout the Uapala Ceramic Sphere cite Sharer and use his description

of Izalco as a point of departure when describing their own Usulután pottery (Andrews 1976,

Beaudry-Corbett 1993, Beaudry-Corbett et al 1993, Demarest 1986, Joesink-Mandeville pers.

Comm.. 2001, Sato 1993, Edward Schortman pers. Comm.. 2005, Patricia Urban pers. Comm..

2005). Below is Sharer’s type description for Izalco Usulután: Izalco and the characteristics of

this type should be considered to hold for all other mentions of Izalco Usulután or Muerdalo

Orange unless otherwise noted.

Sharer describes Izalco Usulután: Izalco in terms of identifying attributes, forms and

dimensions, paste, treatment, decorations, appendages, intra-site provenience, and inter-site

provenience (Sharer 1978b: 39-41). Sharer identifies two main identifying attributes: 1) A low

contrast Usulután decoration of salmon-pink lines and orange areas and 2) a very hard and

usually fine paste combined with a hard and very durable surface finish. The forms and

dimensions include, in decreasing frequency: 1) composite-wall bowls with flat or convex bases,

direct, direct-grooved everted and everted-grooved rims; 2) flaring wall bowls with flat or

convex bases, everted and everted-grooved rims with slight thickening on exterior surface; 3)

restricted shallow bowls with convex or flat bases and direct rims; 4) Dishes with direct wide-

everted and wide-everted-grooved rims; 5) vertical-wall bowls with flat bases and direct of

slightly everted rims; 6) flanged flaring-wall bowls with convex bases and direct rims with sub-

labial and medial flanges; 6) convex-wall (hemispherical) bowls with convex or ring bases and

direct rims; 7) faceted-flanged composite-wall bowls with direct rims; 8) low-neck jars with

42

direct rims; 9) high-neck jars with direct and everted rims, and; 10) dishes with direct wide-

everted and wide-everted-grooved rims.

Sharer described the treatment of the pottery in terms of paste and surface finish. Paste

was described as a hard, fine paste with few inclusion or fine tuff and pumice particles generally

.05 to .4 mm. in diameter. Paste is usually a salmon-pink color (5YR 7/4, 6/4, 5/4; 2.5YR 6/4,

5/4). Oxidation is usually incomplete, with dark cores being common. Surface finish is defined

by a lustrous glossy polish. The surface is very hard and durable. The Usulután decoration

appears as lighter lines usually a salmon pink (same as the paste color in term of Munsell

coloration) against areas of a darker, dull reed or orange color (2.5YR 5/6; 10R 56, 4/6). The

surface finish resembles a very thin slip, but even under high magnification, this slip is difficult

to distinguish.

The decorations on the vessel tend to be Usulután ‘lines’ of varying width and length that

are usually purposeful, creating various patterns. Generally the patterns are composed of straight,

vertical or diagonal lines, wiggly lines, swirls, loops and ‘blotches’. This decoration occurs on

both the interior and exterior of vessels. The more complex patterns seem always to be done with

multiple brush applicators.

Appendages include solid nubbin and solid conical supports as well as hollow conical

and mammiform supports. Supports appear in sets of three and four on the bottom of vessels.

Additional appendages (in very small numbers) include small strap handles and two types of

spouts.

Izalco Usulután: Izalco is compared by Sharer to Quelepa (Andrews 1970), who suggests

his Chalchuapan Izalco is very similar to what Andrews describes from contemporaneous

deposits. Varieties of Izalco Usulután that may differ somewhat from that at Chalchuapa include

43

Usulutáns reported in the Salama Valley, Guatemala (Sharer and Sedat 1973), Kaminaljuyu,

Chiapa de Corzo.

Usulután Pottery: Range, Types and Frequencies

Prior to any broader considerations of the geographic and temporal range of Usulután

pottery, a site-by-site summary of the specific types of Usulután pottery, their frequencies, and

the times in which they appear should be attempted. By outlining these basic facts, we can piece

together a broader understanding of the role that Usulután pottery plays in Mesoamerican

prehistory. For ease of discussion, this summary will be divided into sections based on the

modern political boundaries in the region: Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and El Salvador. A

comprehensive listing of overall frequencies of Usulután pottery at the sites and regions

mentioned below can be found in Table 1.

44

Table 1. Major sites and Regions Reporting Usulután Pottery. Includes Temporal Range, Amount as Reported, Contexts, Vessel Types and the Type of Usulután Identified. Sites reporting resist decorated medium paste Usulután pottery with regional nomenclature are classified as having Bolo Orange.

Region Site Temporal Range Amount Context

(Elite/Non) Vessel Types Muerdalo/Bolo/Izalco Chilanga

Copan

Copan 400 BC - AD 100 small numbers Elite undefined Izalco

La Entrada

La Entrada 300 BC - AD 250 small numbers Elite bowls Izalco

Naco Valley

Santo Domingo 300 BC - AD 250

15% of assemblage Elite, Non-Elite tecomate, bowl,

olla Izalco, Chilanga

Lower Ulúa

Rio Pelo 450 BC - AD 250 small numbers Elite jars, plates,bowls Muerdalo

La Guacamaya 300 BC - AD 250

substantial amounts Elite, Non-Elite plate, bowl Muerdalo

Santa Barbara

Gualjoquito 400 BC - AD 100 fairly common Elite, Non-Elite bowls Izalco

El Cajon

Salitron Viejo 400 BC - AD 100 abundant numbers Elite bowls, plates,

jars Muerdalo, Bolo

Unnamed sites 400 BC - AD 100 abundant numbers Non-elite bowls, plates,

jars Muerdalo, Bolo

Lake Yojoa

Los Naranjos 300 BC - AD 600

5% of tot. collection Elite bowls, jars Muerdalo, Bolo

Comayagua Valley

Yarumela 300 BC - AD 200

significant amounts Elite bowls, plates,

jars Izalco

SW Honduras La Mariposa AD 250 + small numbers Elite bowls Izalco El Nispero AD 250 + small numbers Elite bowls Izalco

El Salvador

Chalchuapa 400 BC - AD 400

Up to 10% of phases Elite, Non-Elite bowls, plates,

jars Izalco

Santa Leticia 400 BC - AD 100


jars Izalco

Quelepa 500 BC - AD 600


jars Izalco

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El Salvador

In El Salvador, there has been significant research involving the study of Usulután

pottery, resulting in a standardized typological terminology. In contrast to other regions of

Southern Mesoamerica such as Honduras, the type/variety system is used for the entire region,

with one set of definitions sufficing for the explanation of Usulután pottery found at a series of

sites. Variations from site to site are noted, but these variations are included in the type

definitions, allowing for flexibility in their discussion and a more in-depth analysis of their role

in prehistoric cultures.

El Salvador - Chalchuapa

At Chalchuapa in western El Salvador, Usulután pottery first appears during the Kal

Ceramic Complex, which dates from 650-400 BC. Puxtla Incised Usulután: Puxtla Variety is

characterized by double slipping and both fine and medium pastes that fire to cream, buff and

brown colors. Bowls and plates dominate this type, and incising below the rim is common

(Figure 7). Additional Usulután pottery is found within the Jicalapa Ceramic Group, one of many

separate groups within the Chul Ceramic Complex. The Chul complex dates to between 400 and

200 BC, although admittedly this date is the result of the comparison of non-Usulután pottery

found at Chalchuapa with other similar types found elsewhere in Guatemala. This Jicalapa Group

comprises almost 7% of the total Complex, and is divided into two varieties: Jicalapa Usulután:

Jicalapa and Jicalapa Usulután: Thick-wall. Jicalapa Usulután: Jicalapa comprises most of the

Jicalapa group, with the Thick-wall variety appearing in trace amounts during this period. Both

types are characterized by a high percentage of bowls of different shapes, some low-necked jars,

and some dishes. The paste of these vessels is somewhat variable, ranging from a medium coarse

46

paste to a fine light sandy buff paste. Decoration consists of a cream colored slip applied to an

already well smoothed vessel which is then marked with a brush or other applicator using a resist

style and slipped a second time using an orange colored slip to obscure the entire first slip prior

to firing. After firing, the decorated resist patterns persist in the original cream slip color, which

for Jicalapa Usulután is commonly a series of thick parallel lines that commonly swirl and loop

across the surface of the vessel, although some spot and blotch-decorated examples have been

reported. This resist technique is applied to both interiors and exteriors of the vessel, and after

firing produces a clean, sharp contrasting visual appearance. The Thick-Walled variety of this

ceramic group is differentiated from Jicalapa Usulután on the basis of a generally thicker wall,

although a slightly more constricted range of vessel forms are noted and a coarser paste is more

frequent (Sharer 1978b: 30-31) (Figure 8).

Usulután pottery also appears during the Cayanac Complex, which dates to between 200

BC and AD 200 (Sharer 1978b: 115). Usulután appears in significant numbers, comprising

nearly 10% of the total ceramic assemblage for the complex. The Izalco Ceramic group is

comprised of one type; Izalco Usulután, which is further divided into two varieties; the Izalco

variety, which dominates the Izalco Ceramic Group in terms of raw numbers and a Thick-walled

variety that is found only in trace amounts. Izalco Usulután members are commonly bowls,

although some jar and dish examples exist. The paste is characterized as hard and fine, with few

inclusions present under microscopic examination. Decoration of the vessels in the Usulután

style is usually expressed in the application of a set or sets of parallel wavy or straight lines, dots

or blotches of a cream color set against a dominant field of orange or orange red coloration.

These resist designs commonly are found on the exterior of vessels, although in the case of

shallow plates and bowls, decoration can be found on both sides of the vessel. The thick walled

47

variant of this type is different from the rest of the Izalco group only in terms of vessel thickness

(Figure 9).

Finally, Usulután appears in a third ceramic complex, the Vec Ceramic Complex, which

based on radiocarbon assays at Chalchuapa dates from 200-400 AD. Within the Vec Ceramic

Complex, the Chilanga Ceramic Group comprises a mere .6% of the total assemblage for this

Complex, making it one of the rarer groups at the site. Chilanga Red-Painted Usulután appears

within this group, and is divided into two varieties: Chilanga and Osicala. Paste for both varieties

is reported to be fine and light cream or buff in color for both varieties, and the vessel forms for

both are highly restricted with only bowl specimens having been found. Decoration of the

vessels is largely similar to that of Izalco Usulután, with the only notable differences being the

color of the second applied slip, which is a red rather than orange during this period of time and

the addition of more complex and stylized resist decoration. For the Osicala variety, design

elements expand to now include monkey figures, and more numerous, finer curvilinear line

groups (Sharer 1978b: 47).

El Salvador – Santa Leticia

Usulután ceramics enjoy a long and well documented history at the nearby site of Santa

Leticia in western El Salvador as well. During the Chul Complex, which dates from 400 -100

BC, Usulután pottery is found in relatively large numbers, comprising 14% of the Olocuitla

Group, which itself comprises 6% of the total ceramic assemblage excavated at the site

(Demarest 1986: 58, 76). Olocuitla Usulután vessels are commonly bowl shaped, although a few

jars exhibiting Usulután decoration have been found. The paste for these vessels is generally

fine, with very little temper having been added to the base clay prior to firing. The paste fires to a

cream color, although examples of interior oxidation resulting in a gray to black core are

48

common (Demarest 1986: 67). The decoration of these vessels commonly consists of buff to

light orange lines of resist decoration set against a darker field ranging in color from pink to

orange-red in color (Figure 5) Demarest notes two variants of Usulután decoration at Santa

Leticia, a single slip variety in which the contrast between the light lines of decoration and the

dominant darker slip are muted and a second, less common variant in which the use of a double

slip results in a higher level of contrast between the designs presented using a primary cream

colored slip and the dominant second slip, which is darker in color than the first slip. The design

elements consist of single wavy or straight lines, sets of wavy or straight parallel lines, dots or

splotches. These design elements occur either on both sides of the vessel or on the interior alone

(Demarest 1986: 80-81).

Another group within latter portion of the Chul Complex, the Jicalapa Ceramic Group, is

characterized by vessels decorated with a double slip, with cream underslips being paired with

darker bright orange overslip. In many cases, this double slipping is accompanied by Usulután

decoration, although in some examples the orange slip has faded due to weathering, revealing the

cream underslip and causing any Usulután designs that were there to disappear. Like Olocuitla

Usulután, the Jicalapa Usulután decoration consists of wavy or straight single or multiple lines,

with some examples of splotches present (Figure 5). It should be noted, however, that the

frequency of actual Usulután decoration on these vessels is less common than in the Olocuitla

examples, with a plain orange slip appearance being very frequent. Additionally, the range of

vessel forms for this group is larger than that for Olocuitla Usulután, expanding to include huge

basins, jars, and cylinders. A final point of contrast between the Jicalapa and Olocuitla Usulután

types is a clear difference in the paste used in the production of the vessels. Unlike Olocuitla,

which is generally fine in texture and fires to a cream color, the Jicalapa Usulután specimens are

49

manufactured using a medium coarse paste which is often tempered with a pumice material and

fires to a range of temperatures including light orange, pinkish-gray, buff, and light red variants

(Demarest 1986: 88-90).

Izalco Usulután is reported at Santa Leticia, beginning around 100 BC and continuing

through AD 100. Izalco Usulután at Santa Leticia is single slipped, with a fine, light firing paste.

Vessel forms tend to be those with outflaring walls, including bowls and plates. Multiple parallel

lines of resist decoration on vessel interiors and exteriors dominate the sample. Demarest

compares Santa Leticia’s Izalco Usulután to that found at Chalchuapa, going to far as to refer to

his type and variety descriptions in their entirety (Demarest 1986: 130) (Figure 5).

El Salvador - Quelepa

Moving to the southeast, the site of Quelepa in eastern El Salvador also reports

significant numbers of Usulután pottery. Usulután is present during the Uapala, Shila I and Shila

II phases, which date from 500 BC and AD 600 according to radiocarbon assays. Usulután

appears in great numbers throughout this time span, and a variety of types and varieties.

Izalco Usulután appears during the Uapala phase, dating from 500 BC to AD 150

(Andrews 1976: 43), and comprises a hefty 60% of the total ceramic assemblage. Izalco

Usulután: Izalco is characterized by a fine paste that ranges in fired color from pinkish cream to

a pale brown. This type and variety is dominated by bowls, although some examples of jars and

dishes have been found. Decoration of these vessels generally consists of a series of parallel

wavy or straight lines set of a cream coloration set against an orange to red-orange field. Some

examples of singular lines, splotches or dots exist, and in some cases the resist lines vary from a

cream color to an almost light orange color (Andrews 1976: 61). Other variants of the Izalco

50

Usulután described above include three types that are generally of a poorer quality than standard

Izalco Usulután. Izalco Usulután: Coarse Incised, is characterized by a generally coarser paste

than standard Izalco Usulután, a generally heavier and thicker vessel appearance and some

incising on the exterior of the vessels. Additionally, this coarser Usulután variant is dominated

by jar forms, with no bowls present; Izalco Usulután: Coarse Variety is even more coarse in

paste appearance than the incised variety above, and exhibits a cruder application of the Usulután

resist technique than in the standard type; Izalco Usulután:Modeled and Izalco Usulután:

Impressed Fillet are varieties of Izalco in which appliqué features are placed near the rims of the

vessels, usually bowls. Finally, Izalco Usulután: Red Painted is a variety of Izalco Usulután in

which red paint is applied to the rims of the vessels, usually bowls (Andrews 1976: 61-65)

(Figure 6). Another, non-Izalco Usulután type found during the Uapala Phase is Thick-Slip on

White Usulután. A very minor type at Quelepa, this type is characterized by a generally soft

reddish-brown paste and a probable double slip, the first white, the second orange, applied to jars

with neck incising (Andrews 1976: 70)

An Usulután Polychrome type appears in trace amounts during the Lepa Ceramic

Complex at Quelepa. These specimens are composed of a fine red paste. Vessel forms are

unknown due to small sherd size, but they exhibit classic Usulután decoration. This polychrome

type is then painted with a variety of hues, including black, red, orange and purple. This type is

poorly dated due to its low frequency at the site but appears to date to a later period of time than

the Uapala phase, possibly as late as 600 AD. Demarest suggests that because this paste type is

unique to this type, the sherds are likely imports (Demarest 1986: 139).

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Honduras

Usulután pottery is well documented in Honduras. Nearly every project in the past two

decades has identified the presence of the pottery to some degree. Usulután pottery in the north

of Honduras was first noted by Henderson et al (1979: 187), who mentioned tecomates, ollas,

and bowls with thickened rims or flanges, many of which were decorated with an orange slip

with parallel line Usulután decoration at the site of Santo Domingo in the Naco Valley. The

result of a preliminary survey of the region, Henderson’s report merely dates the Usulután

pottery to the Late Preclassic period, with no greater temporal control than that.

Honduras – Naco Valley

Further research in the Naco Valley by Pat Urban and others (Henderson et al 1979,

Urban 1986, Urban 1993a) uncovered Usulután pottery in great numbers at a series of sites

exhibiting monumental architecture. In a 1986 overview of current research, Urban noted the

‘presence of high percentages of Usulután-decorated vessels that are similar to Chalchuapa’s

Izalco Usulután’ (Urban 1986: 279). While small in number, the Usulután decorated vessels

comprised a high proportion of the total ceramic assemblage for the period. Again, the date given

for this Usulután presence was simply the Late Preclassic period (Urban 1986: 278). A final

comment on Usulután is found in the volume ‘Pottery of Prehistoric Honduras: Regional

Classification and Analysis’ edited by Henderson and Beaudry-Corbett (1993). In Urban’s Naco

Valley chapter in this volume, two types are identified. The first is Izalco Usulután: Santo

Domingo, which takes its name from the site where it is most frequent. The Izalco Usulután

found at Santo Domingo is described as being predominantly bowl shaped in form, having a very

fine white to cream colored paste, and exhibiting multiple wavy parallel lines that are white to

52

cream in color set against an orange field of color (Figure 10). This decoration is found on both

the interior and exterior of vessels, although exterior decoration on vessels comprise a large

proportion of the overall collection. Urban notes that the range of variation in the form and

decoration of Izalco Usulután pottery in the Naco Valley is less pronounced than in other

regions, and proposes that the Izalco–style Usulután found here is imported from elsewhere

(Urban 1993a: 37).

Another type is Chilanga Usulután. This type, which bears no variety name, comprises a

small percentage of the assemblage (1.7%), and only a fraction of that amount shows definite

resist decoration. Dating to between AD 250 and 600, this type exhibits the same resist

decoration, single slip, and fine paste as the earlier Izalco type. The vessel type, however, is

mostly comprised of cylinders with vertical walls and direct rims. Red paint, usually restricted to

the rim, is this type’s other distinguishing feature.

Honduras – Lake Yojoa

In the Lake Yojoa region, descriptions of Usulután pottery have long dominated the

literature (Baudez and Becquelin 1973, Beaudry-Corbett 1993). Usulután pottery was first

recognized and named at the site of Los Naranjos on the north shore of the lake by Baudez and

Becquelin (1973: 170, 182-3) They named the single slipped, fine cream paste Usulután

decorated pottery they found Muerdalo Orange, which appears to be a Honduran nomenclature

for what would otherwise be called Izalco Usulután if it were to be found outside of Honduras

(Baudez and Becquelin 1973: 75-76). Comparisons of the Los Naranjos Muerdalo Orange have

been made to Usulután pottery at a number of sites in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala

(Beaudry-Corbett 1993: 182-3).

53

Muerdalo Orange appears in limited numbers in contexts that are assumed to be Late

Preclassic, but remain poorly dated. The Muerdalo Orange at Los Naranjos is described as

having a very fine paste with a very small amount of temper. Nearly all the vessel forms are

bowl shaped, although a few examples of both long and short-necked jars have been found.

Vessels are decorated usually on both sides or in some cases, on the exterior only, with groups of

straight or wavy parallel lines that are cream in color. Again, these cream lines are set against a

dominant orange field.

A second type of Usulután pottery called Bolo Orange is also reported. Bolo Orange is

manufactured using two slips and a medium brown to brown-red paste. It dates to the same

period as Muerdalo Orange and has been compared to other double slipped Usulután pottery in

Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. The term Bolo Orange appeared early in the literature for

ceramic analyses in Honduras, and has been used by other to describe double slipped, buff to

brown firing paste Usulután pottery (Baudez and Becquelin 1973, Beaudry-Corbett 1993).

A third type is Tzuntulin Red. This type is contemporaneous with Muerdalo and Bolo

Orange, and dates to the Late Preclassic period. This type is made with a medium paste that fires

from cream to buff in color. A wide range of vessel forms are found for this type, including large

numbers of jars. This type has red paint over most or all of the vessel obscuring or muting single

slip resist decoration similar to that found on Muerdalo orange vessels.

Honduras – Ulúa Valley

In the Ulúa Valley, Usulután decorated vessels first appear during the Sula Complex

during the latter portion of the Playa Phase, dating to between 300 and 150 BC. Muerdalo

Orange: Rio Pelo is characterized by single slip resist decoration that occurs on both the interior

and exterior of vessels. Design elements are commonly light colored straight or wavy parallel

54

lines, ranging from cream to light orange in color, set against an orange or in some cases gray to

black field (Figure 11). Vessels are predominantly bowl shaped, although some jar forms has

been found as well. Pastes are fine and light firing.

A second Usulután type, named Jul Usulután: Jul, is found at la Guacamaya in the Ulúa

Valley. Found in slightly later Late Preclassic deposits than Muerdalo Orange, Jul Usulután: Jul

is made of a fine to medium paste that fires to a cream to very light buff color. Vessel forms are

similar to Muerdalo Orange. What distinguishes this type from Muerdalo is a darker, reddish slip

applied to the vessel. Jul Usulután: Soysoy is a variant of Jul Usulután that is double slipped, but

curiously is described as having the same light firing paste as Muerdalo Orange. Further,

although the parallel lined designs in a white to cream color continue, these lines are set against a

more red than orange field. A minor type in the Ulúa Valley, Jul Usulután appears to be

somewhat similar to pottery found at El Cajon and might be included in the Los Naranjos

definition of Muerdalo Orange, but by the slimmest of margins (Beaudry-Corbett et al 1993.: 80-

81).

A final type dating to the Sula Complex is Zarrosa Orange: Zarrosa. This type-variety is

similar to Bolo Orange in terms of its paste appearance and color as well as its decoration

through the use of two slips. Flaring wall bowls are common within this type (Figure 12).

During the Terminal Preclassic, Middle Chalmecon Phase in the Ulúa Valley, Usulután

pottery disappears except for Muerdalo Orange: Remolino (Figure 13). This type is nearly

identical to the Rio Pelo variety, except for a few examples of exterior flanges and some

modeling of bowls to represent faces.

In the Early Classic period, Late Chalmecon Phase (AD 250 - 400), Chilanga Usulután:

La Lima and Chilanga Usulután: Cristobal Grooved appear. Both are single slipped, fine cream

55

paste Usulután. Both types tend to be bowls or cylinders, and both have red paint on top of resist

decoration. Cristobal Grooved differs from La Lima only in that vessels of this variety have

paired circumferential grooves below the rim and sometimes near the vessel base.

In the Santa Barbara region of Honduras, Izalco Usulután is again identified in Late

Preclassic contexts. Characterized by a fine to medium pale brown paste, the Izalco Usulután in

the Santa Barbara region is comprised totally of bowl forms, and is decorated with the now

familiar wavy or straight parallel white to tan lines of resist set against an orange field (Urban

1993b: 143-4). Researchers have chosen to subdivide the Izalco Usulután types found in this

region into four varieties based on slight differences in slip color or minor surface scraping,

Izalco Usulután : Barandillal is the most common variety of the group and most closely

resembles Izalco Usulután found elsewhere (Figure 14). Small amounts of Izalco Usulután:

Barandillal persist into the Early Classic period as well.

Izalco Usulután: Cascajal differs in base slip color, which is grey instead of cream, Izalco

Usulután: Divisito has an orange gray primary color, with resist lines tending to be more orange

than cream. Izalco Usulután: El Panal is similar to the Barandillal variety, but shows signs of

scraped slip lines. This overall Izalco Usulután type is found in nearly all Late Preclassic

contexts in the Santa Barbara region (Urban 1993b: 144).

During the Early Classic period, Jicalaca Complex, two varieties of the Chilanga type

appear. Chilanga Red Painted Usulután: Comederos and Chilanga Red Painted Usulután: Black

Painted are similar to the single slipped, fine light firing paste Chilangas described previously,

although the range of resists decorative modes expands from parallel lines and dot to splotches

and irregular patches. The Black Painted variety not surprisingly has the addition of black paint

but is otherwise similar to the Comederos variety.

56

Honduras – El Cajon

In the El Cajon region of Honduras, a broad sampling of cultural material at a number of

sites turned up a large amount of Muerdalo Orange sherds. Muerdalo Orange is one of the most

common decorated types found during the Early Yunque Phase (400 BC – AD 0) at El Cajon and

occurs in three varieties. These are: a fine textured, temperless cream paste (Figure 19), a fine

textured light to medium orange paste, and a coarse cream granular paste. Muerdalo Orange

vessel forms in the El Cajon region are mainly out flaring walled bowls, shallow dishes and short

necked jars (Hirth et al 1989: 213) (Figures 15, 16).

During the same span of time, Bolo Orange appears in the El Cajon region. It is

comparable to other Bolo Orange types and varieties throughout Honduras, and has the

characteristic double slipping, medium buff to brown firing paste seen elsewhere (Figure 20).

Unlike other Bolo Orange types and varieties, however, those found in the El Cajon region show

a relatively wide range of plastic decoration, including incising, engraving, and appliqué

elements. Additionally, the range of vessel types is greater than found in other portions of

Honduras, including jars in significant frequencies.

By the Late Yunque Phase (0 – 400 AD), the coarse paste variant of the Muerdalo

Orange specimens is absent, and plastic decoration in the shape of mammiform supports is found

on some vessels (Hirth et al 1989: 215). El Cajon’s Muerdalo Orange appears to be largely

similar to that found at Los Naranjos, although at El Cajon it was decided to divide the Muerdalo

Orange into multiple types based on paste character while at Los Naranjos there is a single,

broad Muerdalo orange type spanning all paste variants (Hirth et al 1989: 213).

Bolo Orange persists during this phase as well, although it decreases significantly in

frequency and the range of vessel forms constricts, leaving only bowls by this time.

57

Honduras – Comayagua Valley

In the Comayagua Valley, recognition of Usulután pottery has a long history. One of the

first to excavate extensively in the valley, Joel Canby (1949) noted four categories of Usulután

pottery, dividing them up in a similar fashion to that done in the El Cajon region. Usulután Ware,

Polished Usulután Ware, Dull Usulután Ware and ‘Local Paste’ Usulután Ware were noted and

were initially dated to between 300 or 250 B.C. and A.D. 500 (Joesink-Mandeville 1987: 198).

Further research in the valley at the site of Yarumela resulted in the recognition of Izalco

Usulután and a finer level of chronological control, with Usulután pottery now being dated to

between 300 BC and AD 200 (Joesink-Mandeville 1993: 244). Izalco Usulután, Usulután Ware,

Polished Usulután Ware, and Dull Usulután Ware in the Comayagua Valley are characterized by

a fine paste largely devoid of temper. ‘Local Paste’ Usulután is characterized by a medium,

darker firing paste. Vessel forms for all Usulután wares are generally bowls, with a few plates

and jars being present. The resist decoration commonly consists of parallel sets of straight or

wavy lines, with some examples of cross-hatching present. These lines are generally cream to

white in color and are set against a dominant orange field. The range of Usulután types first

mentioned by Canby was supported by later research, with the quality of the slipping and clarity

of the resist decoration varying enough to justify different categories of Usulután pottery in the

valley (Joesink-Mandeville 1993: 244-5).

Honduras – Copan Valley

In the Copan Valley of Western Honduras, Izalco Usulután pottery is found in large

numbers at the site of Copan as well as other locations in the valley. At Copan, Usulután pottery

is first seen during the Chabij Complex (300 B.C. – AD 100), comprising 43.5% of all sherds

from the complex (Viel 1993: 51). The Izalco pottery identified within the Copan Valley within

58

this complex has been identified by a number of researchers (Longyear 1952, Willey et al 1994,

Viel 1993) as being consistent in form and decoration to those types found in El Salvador, and

more specifically, the site of Chalchuapa. Traits shared by Copan Izalco Usulután and that found

at Chalchuapa include a single slipped orange and cream resist decoration, fine cream firing

paste, and vessel forms including flat bottomed plates and dishes with outflaring walls (Figure

17). The lack of mammiform supports on Izalco Usulután vessels at Copan is also seen at

Quelepa, suggesting some possible similarities with that site as well.

Copan Izalco Usulután during this complex also includes several types of jars, which are

not generally seen elsewhere in Honduras. The lack of mammiform supports is another point of

departure between Copan and other sites in Honduras.

In the later Bijac Ceramic Complex (AD 100-400), Izalco Usulután continues with little

variation to the Izalco seen previously. The differences during this complex include the

appearance of mammiform supports and hemispherical bowls, which suggest increased

continuity with other sites in Western and Northern Honduras. Viel identifies two varieties of

Usulután during this period: Izalco Usulután: Sipues and Izalco Usulután: Bicoño. Sipues

appears to be a general continuation of the Izalco Usulután found during the Bijac period and the

Bicoño variety differs in that they are commonly adorned with large, fancy and often garish

looking supports. The frequency of Usulután pottery during this complex decreases

significantly, dropping to only 20% of the complexes sherds (Viel 1993: 67).

Izalco Usulután appears in small but significant amounts in the Acbi Ceramic Complex

(AD 400 – 650), comprising only 10% of sherds from this complex. The hemispherical bowls

that begin to appear during the Bijac complex are more frequent. The Sipues and Bicoño

varieties identified previously continue. A new variety, Izalco Usulután: Fijatevos Variety

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appears during this period, and is defined by a wider range of rim profiles and increased use of

irregular or highly decorated supports. Usulután pottery with red painted decoration, Chilanga

rojo sobre Usulután, appears as does a similar type, Arturo dicromatico inciso. These two types

feature Usulután decoration beneath red paint. For the Chilanga type, paint appears most

frequently on or near rims. The Arturo type is restricted to jars and the red paint is frequently

applied in wide zones of decoration.

Elsewhere in the Copan Valley, Usulután pottery appears at two sites. In the northeastern

portion of the valley, Usulután pottery appears at the site of Los Achiotes during the Chabij and

Bijac phases. Recent excavations at Los Achiotes have uncovered Usulután pottery similar to the

types and varieties found at the site of Copan itself. The site of El Raizal is located just to the

south of Los Achiotes and dates to the Acbi and Coner phases. Chilanga Usulután is found in

some of the earliest deposits at the site, which date to around AD 500. Ceramic analysis is

ongoing, and due to the recent nature of the excavations at this both sites, frequencies for these

types is absent (Canuto 2004: 44-45).

Usulután pottery in the Copan Valley is recognized as having the widest range of vessel

forms recorded for any location in Honduras (Longyear 1952, Viel 1983). Vessels with Usulután

decoration show great amounts of elaboration, especially on vessel rims and supports. The

appearance of resist decoration at Copan does not seem to vary significantly from the parallel

resist lines and dots seen elsewhere, but the range of vessels upon which it is found suggests

some level of discontinuity with the rest of Honduras.

In summary, reports of Usulután pottery in Honduras dating to the Late Preclassic period

have been frequent, with every major region, site, and valley in central and western Honduras

reporting its presence to some degree. Patterns of distribution have been noted by some

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researchers attempting to make sense of its presence in Honduras, although the conclusions of

these analyses have been contradictory in nature due in large part to the difficulty in comparing

Usulután designations, nomenclature, and descriptions throughout the region.

For example, Robinson (1987: 176) argues that Bolo Orange, a type identified in the Sula

Valley, El Cajon Region, Los Naranjos and the Comayagua Valley but absent in parts of Santa

Barbara, the Naco Valley and Copan, represents a foreign import from El Salvador or

Guatemala. This curious pattern of distribution, she argues, represents different sectors of a

larger ceramic sphere.

In contrast, Schortman and Urban (1991: 125-6) and Hirth (1989) suggest that the very

same type – Bolo Orange - is not an import, but rather a local attempt at Usulután manufacture,

citing similarity on a visual level between the pastes of local ceramics at a number of sites and

the Bolo Orange Usulután found at each site. Clearly, more analysis of Usulután pottery is

necessary in this region in order to answer these and other questions of interaction and political

economy.

Guatemala

A number of sites in the Valley of Guatemala and along the Pacific coast have reported

the presence of Usulután decorated pottery. Most notable of these sites is Kaminaljuyu, which

can be used as the model site for Usulután presence in Guatemala in terms of decorative and

temporal range (Kosakowsky et al 2000: 203). The presence of Usulután at Kaminaljuyu was

first treated by Shook and Kidder (1952), who noted in their report on Mound E-III-3 at

Kaminaljuyu a significant amount of the pottery. Shook and Kidder reported mostly bowl vessel

forms, although some examples of vessels with restricted necks and cylinders with exterior

61

Usulután decoration were present. Decoration of these vessels usually involved sets of parallel

wavy or straight lines, ranging in color from white to cream to yellow. These lines usually

appeared on the exteriors of vessels, although they are present on some bowls on both the

exterior and interior. This lined decoration was set against a dominant field of color ranging from

red to orange, although one example of a gray vessel exists (Shook and Kidder 1952: 100 – 106).

Wetherington (1978) expanded on this original description of Usulután pottery at

Kaminaljuyu in his summary of the Penn State extensive excavations at the site. In his

description of Kaminaljuyu Usulután, he made note of the ceramic paste, which he described as

generally medium-fine to fine in nature with few inclusions present (Wetherington 1978: 103).

Additionally, Wetherington stressed the ubiquity of Usulután pottery at the site and provided a

rough chronology for its presence, with Usulután pottery appearing around 500 BC and

continuing through the Terminal Formative (200 BC – AD 200). It is during the Terminal

Formative that Usulután decoration appears in greatest numbers, comprising nearly 40% of total

ceramic assemblage for the period (Wetherington 1978: 125, 130).

Belize

Although no true resist decorated Usulután pottery has been reported in Belize, there

have been a number of pottery types at sites that are decorated in such a way as to suggest

Usulután inspiration. At Barton Ramie within the Mount Hope Ceramic Complex (BC 100 to

AD 250), Savannah Bank ‘Usulután’ mirrors the Usulután of Honduras, Guatemala and El

Salvador in terms of general appearance (bichrome with lines of a resist-like quality) but differs

in terms of paste quality, coloration of the vessel and most importantly, method of decoration.

The lines of decoration are set against a dominant field, but are applied positively through the

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application of a paint or paint-like substance. Paste quality is generally of a medium coarseness,

with large amounts of temper visible, and the color scheme is often of orange-brown lines of

decoration set against a dominant golden brown field. These ‘Usulután’ style samples at Barton

Ramie are similar to other resist-like types at other sites in Belize, including Uaxactun, Seibal

and Altar de Sacrificios, although at each site true Usulután pottery is absent (Gifford 1976:

117).

Summary of Distribution and Sites of Manufacture

From this summary a number of patterns appear in terms of the spatial and chronological

distribution of Usulután pottery that provides a rough sketch for the origins and evolution of

Usulután pottery. Usulután pottery appears earliest at Chalchuapa in El Salvador by 650 B.C.

with Puxtla Incised Usulután: Puxtla Variety, when resist decoration is applied to a wide variety

of forms resulting in a wide range of appearances (Sharer 1978b: 27). Following its initial

appearance at Chalchuapa, Usulután pottery appears at a number of sites in eastern Guatemala

and El Salvador, including Santa Leticia (Olocuitla Usulután), Kaminaljuyu (Cream Slipped

Usulután) and Quelepa (Izalco Usulután: Izalco Usulután), suggesting that the method of

production if not the vessels themselves had spread outward in all directions following this initial

fluorescence.

Usulután pottery then appears to have undergone some considerable refinement in terms

of appearance and method of manufacture. At Santa Leticia in eastern El Salvador, initial

Usulután variants (Olocuitla Usulután, Jicalapa Usulután) gave way to a more codified Usulután

(Izalco Usulután), as the range of pottery characteristics became restricted in terms of the paste

that was used (generally fine), the vessel forms (bowls and plates), the coloration of the slip or

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slips (orange and cream) and the decorative style (sets of parallel wavy or straight lines).

Additionally, it is argued that the techniques used to decorate Usulután pottery developed as

well. During the Kal (650 – 400 BC) and Chul Phases (400 – 100 BC), Usulután pottery appears

to have been manufactured using a double slip, one thick and cream colored, the other orange in

color. By the end of the Chul Phase, these double slipped varieties gave way to ‘true single

slipped Usulután’ (Demarest and Sharer 1982: 817-8). This restricted range of attributes defines

the culmination of Usulután pottery development in El Salvador, Izalco Usulután, which appears

by about 200 BC. As Usulután developed into this codified form, its popularity spread into

Honduras. By the time this evolution had concluded, single slipped Izalco Usulután was reported

at nearly every site in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras (Izalco Usulután, Muerdalo

Usulután) during the Late Preclassic, serving as a diagnostic marker for the Late Preclassic

period throughout southeastern Mesoamerica and the southeastern periphery (Demarest and

Sharer 1982: 810, 819). Izalco Usulután pottery continues to appear throughout the Late and

Terminal Preclassic periods, eventually waning in popularity across the periphery, disappearing

as a type altogether by the beginning of the Classic period (Demarest and Sharer 1982: 819)

(Table 2).

64

Table 2, Part 1

Type: Variety Site or Region

Chronological Period

Number of Slips Paste Appearance Paste Color

Single Double Fine Medium Cream Buff-Brown

Izalco Copan 300 BC – AD 100 X X X

Usulután: (no var.) La Entrada 300 BC – AD 600 X X X

Izalco Usulután: Santo Domingo

Naco Valley

300 BC – AD 250 X X

Chilanga Usulután: (no var.)

Naco Valley AD 250 -600 X X X

Muerdalo Orange: Rio Pelo

Ulúa Valley 300 – 150 BC X X X

Jul Usulután: Jul Ulúa Valley 300 – 150 BC X X X X X

Jul Usulután: Soysoy Ulúa Valley 300 – 150 BC X X X

Zarrosa Orange: Zarrosa

Ulúa Valley 300 – 150 BC X X X

Muerdalo Orange: Remolino

Ulúa Valley

150 BC – AD 150 X X X

Chilanga Red Painted Usulután : La Lima

Ulúa Valley AD 250 - X X X

Chilanga Red Painted Usulután: Cristobal

Grooved

Ulúa Valley AD 250 - X X X

Izalco Usulután: Barandillal

Santa Barbara

300 BC – AD 250 X X X X

Izalco Usulután: Cascajal

Santa Barbara

300 BC – AD 250 X X X X

Izalco Usulután: Divisito

Santa Barbara

300 BC – AD 250 X X X X

Izalco Usulután: El Panal

Santa Barbara

300 BC – AD 250 X X X X

Chilanga Red Painted Usulután: Comederos

Santa Barbara AD 250 - 600 X X X

Chilanga Red Painted Usulután: Black painted

Santa Barbara AD 250 - 600 X X X

Izalco Usulután: Barandillal

Santa Barbara AD 250 - 600 X X X X

Izalco Usulután : (no var.)

Southwest Honduras AD 250 - 600 X X X

Chilanga Red Painted Usulután: (no var.)

Southwest Honduras AD 250-600 X X X

Muerdalo Orange: (no var.) Lake Yojoa 300 BC – AD

600 X X X X

Tzuntulin Red: (no var.) Lake Yojoa 300 BC – AD 600 X X X X

Muerdalo Orange-Related With Resist Decoration: (no var.)

El Cajon 400 BC – AD 0 X X X X X

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Table 2, Part 2

Type: Variety Site or Region

Chronological Period

Number of Slips Paste Appearance Paste Color

Single Double Fine Medium Cream Buff-Brown

Muerdalo Orange-Related With Resist Decoration: (no var.)

El Cajon AD 0 – AD 400 X X X X

Bolo Orange: (no var.) El Cajon 400 BC – AD 400 X X X X

Izalco Usulután: (no var.)

Comayagua Valley

300 BC – AD 200 X X X

Bolo Orange: (no var.) Comayagua Valley

300 BC – AD 200 X X X

Izalco Usulután: Izalco Usulután Quelepa 500 X X X X

Izalco Usulután: Coarse Incised Quelepa 500 or 400 BC

– AD 150 X X X X

Izalco Usulután: Coarse Variety Quelepa 500 or 400 BC

– AD 150 X X X X

Izalco Usulután Modeled Quelepa 500 or 400 BC

– AD 150 X X X X

Izalco Usulután: Impressed Fillet Quelepa 500 or 400 BC

– AD 150 X X X X

Izalco Usulután: Red Painted Quelepa 500 or 400 BC

– AD 150 X X X X

Thick Slip Orange on White Usulután: (no

var.) Quelepa 500 or 400 BC

– AD 150 X X X X

Puxtla Incised Usulután: Puxtla

variety Chalchuapa 650 – 400 BC X X X X

Jicalapa Usulután Jicalapa Chalchuapa 400 – 200 BC X X X X

Jicalapa Usulután: Thick Walled Chalchuapa 400 – 200 BC X X X X

Izalco Usulután: Izalco Chalchuapa 200 BC – AD 200 X X X

Izalco Usulután: Thick Walled Chalchuapa 200 BC – AD

200 X X X

Chilanga Red-painted Usulután: Chilanga Chalchuapa 200 – 400 AD X X X

Chilanga Red-painted Usulután: Osicala Chalchuapa 200 – 400 AD X X X

Olocuitla Usulután: (no var.)

Santa Leticia 650 – 400 BC X X X X

Jicalapa Usulután: (no var.)

Santa Leticia

500 BC – AD 100 X X X

Izalco Usulután: (no var.)

Santa Leticia

100 BC – AD 100 X X X X

Table 2. Usulután decorated types and varieties, sorted by paste, slip

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Whether the spread of Izalco Usulután is due to the movement of pots or emulation of the

style is an issue that has been largely avoided by researchers. A few (Robinson 1987, Kennedy

1986, Urban 1993a, Hirth et al 1989) have explicitly suggested that Izalco Usulután was likely

imported from outside their region of study. Others have implied it through the use of foreign

type and variety nomenclature (Urban 1993b, Viel 1993, Joesink-Mandeville 1993). The issue of

whether Usulután types and varieties were locally manufactured is a question left unaddressed by

many researchers as well. Wonderley (1991) suggests that during the Late Preclassic period a

number of sites attempted to manufacture their own Usulután pottery, resulting in a series of

double slipped types (most commonly referred to as Bolo Orange in Honduras, and as ‘coarse

paste’ variations on Usulután types elsewhere) of a moderately fine to coarse paste. While this

currently stands as the conventional wisdom, researchers have been loathe to tackle the issue in

print. The discussion below summarizes the arguments pertaining the production of Usulután

pottery to date.

Loci of Production

A number of sites have been argued as loci for the production of Usulután ceramics.

These arguments have traditionally been based on two major factors, large amounts at a single

site or region, or chemical compositional studies. When researchers have noted the

overwhelming presence of Usulután decorated pottery, either in raw numbers or as a proportion

of the ceramic assemblage for a particular period of time, they have argued that such large

numbers of vessels are more likely to be the result of local manufacture than long distance

exchange. Others have tested ceramic samples from a site through the use of neutron activation

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analysis, which allows the researcher to demonstrate whether the use of locally obtained clays in

the manufacture of the pottery took place.

Most of the sites that have been argued as production centers of Usulután pottery have

been located in Guatemala and El Salvador. In El Salvador, Quelepa is argued to have been

producing Usulután pottery during the Uapala phase (500 BC – AD 150) when Usulután pottery

comprises roughly half of all the ceramics excavated at the site during the period (Andrews

1976: 56, 1977: 117). The argument of Quelepa as a center of productions has been supported by

diminishing frequencies of Usulután at sites to the northeast of Quelepa in a classic drop-off

curve of distribution (Renfrew 1977, Robinson 1988: 19). Usulután appears in high frequencies

at Santa Leticia in El Salvador as well (34% of the assemblage for the Jicalapa group),

prompting researchers to argue for Santa Leticia as a probable locus of production for Usulután

pottery during the Late Formative period (Demarest 1986: 145). A similar line of argument is

followed for Chalchuapa, where Usulután decorated pottery dominates both the Chul and

Cayanac ceramic complexes. The proportion of Usulután pottery in the total ceramic assemblage

for the site is small (6% and 9%, respectively), but it is the most numerous group in each

complex, suggesting that it was manufactured on site (Sharer 1974: 171; 1978: 30, 39).

The site of Kaminaljuyu in Guatemala has also been argued as a possible locus of

production based on two lines of non-elemental evidence: 1) the amount of Usulután pottery

recovered at the site during the Late Formative period, and 2) visual similarities between the

paste of Usulután pottery and locally made modern pottery. During the late Formative period,

Usulután decorated pottery comprises nearly 15% of the typed ceramics at the site, leading

Wetherington to suggest a local manufacture rather than a high amount of imported material.

Microscopic examination of the paste composition for Usulután pottery dating to the Late

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Formative period and similar firing local clays used in the manufacture of non-Usulután vessels

showed general similarities as well (Wetherington 1978: 495).

Arguments for the production of Usulután pottery in Honduras based on ceramic

frequency are largely absent, with researchers there either avoiding an explanation of whether

Usulután pottery is locally made or an import or assuming that it is foreign with little explanation

of where they think it is manufactured (e.g. Robinson 1987: 176, Kennedy 1986: 187, Urban

1993a: 37). While similarities between Usulután pottery in Honduras and types in Guatemala and

El Salvador have been noted, most researchers simply refer to Andrews’ (1976) discussion of an

Uapala ceramic sphere stemming from his work at Quelepa in order to tie locally recovered

Usulután to better-documented sites outside their own research focus. The Uapala ceramic

sphere represents an attempt by Andrews to come to grips with a high level of similarity between

ceramic complexes throughout El Salvador, Honduras and portions of Guatemala. As Chapter 4

will summarize, one of the characteristics of the Uapala ceramic sphere is the presence of

Usulután pottery and this is commonly cited by Honduran researchers who want to show they

recognize influence at a distance but aren’t sure how to characterize it (e.g. Joesink-Mandeville

1993: 244).

Arguments for Usulután pottery production loci in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras

based on compositional analysis have largely stemmed from attempts to define general patterns

of production and consumption of Late Formative period pottery. Generally, a few samples of

Usulután pottery have been included in larger projects. These samples are compared

compositionally to local clay samples or non-Usulután vessels thought to have been produced

locally. Sample sizes have tended to be small and ineffective. As a result, arguments for loci of

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Usulután pottery production have been presented as an aside, and this dissertation is the first

project specifically designed to test for loci of Usulután pottery production .

In Guatemala, attempts to understand patterns of production and consumption along the

Pacific Coast through the application of Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) resulted in mixed

signals regarding the production of Usulután pottery. An initial NAA study by Rice (1978a) to

identify Kaminaljuyu as a locus of Usulután production was later met with skepticism and more

thorough and contradicting data by researchers in the area (Neff, Bishop and Bove 1989: 103). In

this larger study, ceramics were analyzed that were thought to have been manufactured at a

number of sites along the Pacific Guatemalan coast and the Valley of Guatemala. PCRU’s (Paste

Compositional Reference Units) that represent clusters of samples with similar compositions

were composed using chemical data generated through Neutron Activation Analysis. Only one of

the Usulután samples gathered at coastal sites matched the established PCRU’s that define the

rest of the Late Preclassic ceramics in the study (Neff, Bishop and Bove 1989: 103). The one

Usulután sherd that did match established PCRU’s appeared to belong to the ‘fine white core

group’, originating in the Sacatepéquez highlands. From this testing, the authors suggest that the

paramount centers included in the study, namely El Balsamo, Monte Alto and Los Cerritos, had

Usulután pottery imported from non-Valley of Guatemala production loci. Where these centers

were located, however, was not suggested (Neff, Bishop and Bove 1989: 104).

The inability to define any Guatemalan production loci for Usulután pottery continued

despite attempts to correlate Usulután pottery with a larger database and more refined PCRU’s

(Neff et al 1994: 344-345), further suggesting that the loci of production for Usulután pottery

within Guatemala remains undiscovered, or more likely, Usulután ceramics were imported. Of

course, researchers in Guatemala hold out hope for the former rather than the latter (Neff, Bishop

70

and Arnold 1990: 176), largely based on non-Usulután compositional analyses suggesting that in

general Guatemalan ceramics were manufactured in Guatemala and El Salvadoran ceramics were

manufactured in El Salvador (Bishop and Demarest 1986: 237).

Research in El Salvador, the proposed locus of production for the vast majority of

Usulután decorated pottery, is ongoing and a compositional database is in development. Sample

sizes for individual sites in El Salvador are small and are in the process of being bolstered by

clay samples (Bishop, personal communication 2008). For this reason, the linkages between sites

in El Salvador and sites in other regions remain based on arguments derived from frequency

analysis and not chemical analysis.

In Honduras, a single study of ceramic production provides some insight into loci of

Usulután production. A number of late Yunque Phase Sulaco group ceramics were analyzed

using Neutron Activation Analysis. Two of the groups included in this study were Sulaco Orange

and Muerdalo Orange. Sulaco Orange ceramics were partially contemporaneous with Muerdalo

Orange and are similar to Muerdalo in terms of paste appearance and use of orange slip. All of

the samples analyzed in the study were compared compositionally, and several PCRU’s were

formed. Muerdalo Orange samples from bowls with mammiform supports and the Sulaco

Orange samples were tested against PCRU’s in order to see if they matched compositionally.

Roughly half of the samples called ‘monochrome’, which include an unknown number of resist-

decorated sherds, failed to cluster with any of the established PCRU’s that characterize the rest

of the samples. Instead, these samples cluster among themselves, creating a new PCRU

comprised solely of monochrome sherds. Because the paste recipes for these sherds do not match

the established PCRU’s but still cluster together they either represent paste a paste unique to this

type using a local clay or represent pottery that was imported from outside the region.

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The other half of the ‘monochrome’ samples and do not cluster at all, failing to match

any of the PCRUs. Because these samples do not match established PCSUs and also fail to form

their own cluster, this portion of the ‘monochrome’ samples were made from a variety of paste

recipes, none of which were shared by any other types that were analyzed. This could represent

either a range of unidentified local clays not used in the manufacture of other types or could

represent several foreign paste recipes used to manufacture imported pottery (Beaudry et al

1988: 109, 111).

In conclusion, this evidence suggests that in both the El Cajon region and the Sula

Valley, monochrome ceramics, including resist decorated specimens, were produced either from

unidentified clays within the research area or clays outside the regions being studied.

Context: Usulután pottery consumption

A review of the consumption patterns of Usulután pottery suggests a promising set of

patterns, with Usulután pottery appearing in significant numbers in elite contexts. But upon

further review, this pattern might actually reflect the ‘top down’ archaeology prevalent

throughout Southern Mesoamerica and the Southeastern Mesoamerican periphery rather than any

economic, social or political reality in prehistory.

Usulután decorated pottery has been found most often in the context of elite house

structures, in elite mound fill, or in middens associated with structures of an elite context.

Whether at Chalchuapa (Sharer 1978a: 39), Copan (Viel 1993: 50,66), Yarumela (Joesink-

Mandeville 1987, 2004: 279), Rio Pelo (Wonderley 1991: 153) or any other site mentioned in the

above review, Usulután pottery is primarily associated with elite activity at primary or secondary

centers within settlement hierarchies. Largely absent from discussions of Usulután consumption

are reports of Usulután pottery being found in non-elite contexts.

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This apparent pattern has prompted some researchers to suggest that for most sites in

which it is found, Usulután was a trade ware that was imported by elites, who then restricted its

distribution to serve their own political and economic goals (Schortman and Urban 1991: 126,

Urban 1993a, Wonderley 1991: 164-5). This argument is in turn used to support suggestions that

a broader interaction sphere, defined largely by the presence of Usulután ceramics and having

far-reaching effects in terms of non-ceramic commonalities throughout Southern Mesoamerica

and the Southeastern Mesoamerican periphery, was an elite driven phenomenon (Wonderley

1991: 165, Joesink-Mandeville 2004: 285, Lange 1992).

While the end result of this line of thinking regarding Usulután exchange and resulting

interaction spheres is likely to be true, the steps taken to get to this conclusion thus far rest on a

foundation of negative evidence. Research throughout the Southeastern Mesoamerican periphery

has been decidedly top-down in nature, with excavations and subsequent ceramic analysis

focusing on the primary large centers in a region. Research has often lacked extensive surveys of

areas peripheral to primary sites that would illustrate the breadth of consumption for ‘elite’

pottery, including Usulután decorated vessels. The question of Usulután consumption is well

defined at an elite level, but the possibility of non-elite consumption of Usulután pottery has not

been researched to the extent that we can truly call Usulután pottery an elite ware. Further, the

presence of a double slipped, coarse paste Usulután pottery at a number of sites has prompted the

suggestion that these vessels are merely ‘knock-offs’ of imported Usulután. If these were indeed

local knock-offs that satiated the local demand for a restricted trade ware, then the distribution of

these knock-offs would have a predictable pattern of consumption both at primary and secondary

sites in regions throughout Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

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Also hindering the study of Usulután pottery production and consumption are issues

related to the use of the type-variety system of ceramic classification. While this system of

classification may be the most suitable for Mesoamerican ceramic analysis, the study of Usulután

pottery in general and Izalco Usulután: Usulután in particular has been hindered to some degree

using this system. The following review will briefly summarize two types of classification

systems, the type-variety system and modal analysis, and discuss how the type-variety system

has impacted the study of Usulután pottery.

Type-Variety and Modal Analyses of Usulután Pottery

The type-variety method of ceramic classification has dominated ceramic analysis in

Mesoamerica since the 1960’s, and is generally the method used by archaeologists to make sense

of the variability apparent in the ceramic record. The type-variety system is not without its

drawbacks, however, and at times researchers have abandoned the type-variety system for a

modal analysis. Modal analysis is not without its drawbacks either, and others have favored

employing a combination of the two systems. A brief summary of the two methods and how they

have been applied in Mesoamerica is presented here. The advantages and shortcomings of both

will be discussed and finally the impact of the type-variety and modal systems on the

understanding of Usulután will be presented.

The type-variety system was presented as a basis for the analysis of Maya pottery by

Smith, Willey and Gifford (1960), who sought to avoid the confusion seen elsewhere in

Mesoamerica and North America in general by defining terms of analysis and discussing how

they should be applied in a manner that could be emulated by others conducting research in the

Maya region.

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Analysis of pottery using the type-variety system begins with the recognition and

recording of attributes. Attributes are the smallest unit of analysis and represent individual

observable features of a piece of pottery such as paste, rim shape, and surface color. The authors

are careful to distinguish between attributes and modes. A mode is a ceramic attribute (or

collectively a small group of inseparable attributes) that have been observed to have singular

importance and meaning. A mode, according to Smith, Willey and Gifford, is ‘…an attribute or

cluster of attributes that displays significance in its own right’ (Smith, Willey and Gifford 1960:

331). When attributes that are observable are combined, a variety is created. A variety is

intended to be the smallest meaningful unit of classification in the type-variety method and is

meant to approximate some culturally meaningful cluster of pottery producing choices. The

authors contend that varieties (and types) were realities within the cultural configuration of their

origin and should strive to mimic the ordering of pottery variability in the past.

A type is a level of analysis above the variety and represents …’an aggregate of visually

distinct ceramic attributes already objectified within one or generally several varieties that, when

taken as a whole, are indicative of a particular class of pottery produced during a specific time

interval within a specific region” (Smith, Willey and Gifford 1960 333). The type must have a

definable time and space position, although the type should remain a fluid category, changing its

definition as more ceramic data is available.

From types and varieties, groups, ceramic complexes and ceramic sequences can be

constructed. A ceramic group is a set of closely related pottery types that demonstrate a

distinctive homogeneity in their ranges of variation in form and technological attributes. A group

is in some ways a super type, representing a number of types that demonstrate the same basic

surface treatment or decoration although in some cases the group concept is used to describe

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poorly preserved sherds with some loss of surface decoration that exhibit a shared range of paste

appearances. In some applications, the group differs from the type in that types within a group

are more likely to have different pastes (Gifford 1976). The ceramic complex represents the full

range of ceramics known to have been use at a particular time and is usually comprised of

several different ceramic groups (Sharer 1978b). Complexes are often divided into phases, which

represent temporal subdivisions with a broader chronological period, when additional dating

information necessitates some separation within a complex.

The application of the type-variety system is not without its limitations, however. Wright

(1967) argues that the type-variety method tends to pigeon hole individual attributes whose

trends extend beyond the type and that broad trends across types and varieties based on a single

attribute may be muted. Hammond (1972) suggests that the dendritic structure of the system is

too rigid and forces pottery into false hierarchies, making assertions about variety, type and

group membership questionable. Citing ceramic evidence from Lubaantún in Belize, Hammond

argues that the broad similarities within his ceramic data beyond surface decoration would be

muted using the type-variety method. If type-variety is meant to describe realities within the

cultural configuration of their origin, then it should be flexible enough to identify realities other

than surface decoration. Others disagree with how data generated by the type-variety scheme is

reported. Smith (1979) argues that the descriptions of types and varieties inevitably include the

description of attributes that some members of the type or variety may share or may not.

An alternative approach, and one that can be merged to some degree with the type-variety

system, is modal analysis. Modal analysis of ceramics in Mesoamerica was first proposed by

Rouse (1960), who defined a mode as a series of attributes which are shared by the

corresponding parts of a series of artifacts. This approach selects individual ceramic traits

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(modes) such as a particular slip, vessel form or paste and uses them as the basic unit of

classification. Its proponents have argued that modal analyses can be particularly helpful when

ceramics from a site are poorly preserved, allowing a limited range of attributes to be reliably

recorded. Because the focus of analysis is on a limited or singular attribute, describing sherds can

be easier using a modal analysis than a type-variety approach. Modal analysis can also help to

clarify broad trends in ceramics over time, as a single mode is tracked despite other changes in a

vessel’s appearance (Wright 1967).

Critics of a strict modal analysis argue that the ability of a modal analysis to track

ceramic trends over long periods of time actually hinders its applicability and results in a

‘lumping’ of ceramic variability. Site chronologies based on a modal analysis may miss

significant changes in ceramic production over time as research deemphasizes some changing

clusters of ceramic attributes while focusing on others. Another major criticism is that a modal

analysis results in tightly defined units that, although useful at the site specific level of analysis,

make inter-site comparisons difficult (Sabloff 1975).

The type-variety method of ceramic classification has been used by the majority of

archaeologists working at sites within the Uapala ceramic sphere. In some ways this approach

has been useful, but in others it had hindered the study of Usulután pottery. One positive

contribution of the type-variety system has been the emphasis on reporting surface decoration.

The resist decoration of Usulután pottery is the most recognizable of all of its attributes and what

sets it apart from all other pottery types and varieties in Southeastern Mesoamerica. Because of

this focus on surface decoration, regional trends can be identified and site to site comparisons

can be drawn. Another benefit of the focus on surface decoration has been the body of literature

suggesting ways in which resist decoration was achieved. Because so much of the descriptive

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focus has been on surface decoration, many researchers have mused about how potters created

this effect.

The strict adherence to the type-variety approach by researchers reporting Usulután

pottery has had some drawbacks. A review of the types and varieties reported in the regions

included in this study reveals over three dozen different type and variety combinations for

Usulután pottery (Table 1). Many researchers have opted for the creation of distinct types and

varieties despite recognizing Usulután based on where it has been reported elsewhere and

describing it with few, if any, localized variations. One example is Muerdalo Orange, which is a

single slipped, fine cream paste Usulután. This type is described by Baudez and Becquelin as

nearly identical to the Izalco Usulután: Izalco found in El Salvador, and they clearly recognize it

as a closely related, if not the same type. Despite these similarities, they opted for a localized

nomenclature, which has been followed by some other researchers in Honduras (Hirth et al

1989). The result has been a confusing variability in how Usulután pottery is reported.

Even more confusing is the proliferation of localized type and variety names given to

double slipped, fine to medium, buff to brown paste Usulutáns. In some portions of Honduras

these are called Bolo Orange, in other parts, they take on other names. While the double slipped,

fine to medium, buff to brown paste Usulutáns do show more variability across Honduras and El

Salvador, they are clearly slight variations on the same theme: an attempt to make resist

decorated orange and cream colored vessels despite the inability or unwillingness to use light

firing clays. To overcome this resource-based shortcoming, potters are using a medium to fine

clay that fires to variable colors, slipping it once to a cream color to conceal the darker firing

color, then following the first slip with a second orange slip to create the resist appearance.

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A modal analysis that focuses first on paste and secondly on surface decoration has been

followed by Hirth and others working in the El Cajon region. Instead of sorting their resist-

decorated pottery into multiple types and varieties based primarily on surface decoration, they

describe Muerdalo Orange as a single ceramic class with variable pastes. Types within the class

are recognized based on these paste differences. Such a system of classification at least begins to

bring to light what potters likely had in mind: the desire to manufacture a resist decorated vessel

with an orange and cream color scheme regardless of the raw materials available. Clearly the

type-variety classification system has served archaeologists working in many parts of Honduras

well, but the emphasis on surface decoration in the description of Usulután pottery has not come

without a price.

Conclusion

This chapter has reviewed Usulután pottery, attempting to be as comprehensive a

discussion of the types and varieties found in Southeastern Mesoamerica as possible. While

research over the past seventy years has resulted in a proliferation of types and varieties that

occasionally obscures trends in the data, but overall, Usulután pottery is well understood and

well described. Thanks to these accurate descriptions, researchers began to notice broad

geographic trends in ceramic complexes and in the distribution of Izalco Usulután in particular.

These trends served as the foundation for the recognition of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere, which is

discussed in Chapter 4.

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Chapter 3 – The Uapala Ceramic Sphere: Regions and Sites

Introduction

The previous chapter focused on Usulután pottery, and specifically Izalco Usulután. It

detailed the attributes that define the type and its broad geographic range. Izalco Usulután and its

variants have been the focus of much attention from researchers working throughout

Southeastern Mesoamerica, and have been integral to arguments for site to site and regional

contact for decades. E Wyllys Andrews V recognized the broad presence of Izalco Usulután

throughout portions of Honduras and El Salvador and summarized its geographic range, creating

the Uapala Ceramic Sphere (Andrews 1976). This sphere was not just a summary of its presence

and absence across different portions of Southeastern Mesoamerica, but rather a model of

interaction. Andrews outlined both how it was formed and what behaviors maintained these

similarities over time. His model has been a point of discussion ever since.

This chapter will begin by discussing and critically evaluating the Uapala Ceramic

Sphere constructed by Andrews and subsequent applications, modifications and critiques by

others. The sites and regions within the sphere are identified, and attention is given to the

contexts in which Izalco Usulután and other Usulután decorated pottery have been found and

their frequency in site-specific or regional ceramic complexes.

Interaction Sphere Concept

The concept of the interaction sphere was first developed by Joseph Caldwell in

a paper published in 1964. Noting that 'nothing is clearer to the archaeologists than that over

broad geographical regions various societies tend to change in concert' (Caldwell 1964: 135),

Caldwell attempted to conceive of a concept and surrounding body of theory that would explain

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what archaeologists could so plainly see. He largely drew from the works of Gordon Willey,

whose recently published works on 'great art styles' had prompted Caldwell's consideration of the

levels of interaction required to bring about such regionally bounded culture traits.

The result was the 'interaction sphere', which Caldwell defined as a geographically

bounded region involving several distinctive cultures that retain their distinctiveness at the level

of subsistence technology and local crafts, but which share a common set of values, rituals,

behavior, styles and materials (Caldwell 1964: 137, Hayden and Schulting 1997: 52). An

expanded definition of the term 'interaction sphere' notes that there should be distinctive cultural

traditions in each of the regions within the interaction sphere prior to the emergence of any

shared supralocal cultural attributes (Caldwell 1964: 137). Following the establishment of an

interaction sphere, diagnostic artifacts and usages should not continue to have a single source,

but rather reflect a heightened level of communication between portions of the interaction

sphere.

Caldwell suggests that the shared items that serve to bind an interaction sphere together

are usually mortuary-ceremonial or religious. Therefore, connections between parts of an

interaction sphere are most easily visible when examining burials. Items found in a household

context, on the other hand, are less likely to reflect the supralocal cultural traits that bind the

interaction sphere. Rather, these contexts should serve as examples for the locally derived culture

traits that give portions of an interaction sphere their distinct character (Caldwell 1964: 138).

In an effort to place his formulation of the interaction sphere in context, Caldwell

returned to the works of Willey that had inspired him. Willey's work regarding 'great art styles'

of the Olmec and Chavin sought to explain the development of regional cultures and social

complexity (Willey 1962). Caldwell suggested that unlike most of the interaction theories of the

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time, the interaction sphere concept could provide applicability to a number of regions in time

and space.

In the same volume as Caldwell's formulation of the interaction sphere concept, Stuart

Streuver (1964) presented generally similar but alternative characterization of the interaction

sphere. A colleague of Caldwell's, Streuver's formulation of the interaction sphere was similar to

interaction sphere on some levels and significant different at others. Both Streuver and Caldwell

agreed that elite activity should be a major focus when examining interaction spheres, arguing

that elite action in a society often has the potential for much greater impact on culture change

then other segments of a society.

Where Streuver departed from Caldwell was in the sphere’s major theoretical purpose.

While Caldwell's underlying purpose in presenting the interaction sphere was to explain how

interaction spheres stimulated cultural change, Streuver sought to explain why the interaction

sphere developed and was participated in by its members. Two major aspects of Streuver's

formulation and how it differs from Caldwell’s should be noted.

First, his concept of the interaction sphere was less ideological and more economic in

nature than Caldwell's. Streuver specifically stated that the movement of artifact styles, raw

materials, and especially finished products circulated as the result of largely economic motives.

The cultural rationale for the movement of goods within a society was subsumed under

established logistical networks that were economic in nature.

These networks, despite being formed for largely economic reasons, were still

ideologically and socially relevant. The objects that tied an interaction sphere together, Streuver

argued, were 'status-specific objects', objects that furthered the differences between elites and

non-elites, and could be used to further political and social development (Streuver 1964: 88).

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Second, Streuver was also more specific about the origins of the interaction sphere,

discussing why people within a region would want to be involved in such a logistics network in

the first place. Streuver suggested that interaction spheres were developed due to the aggregation

of populations that resulted from the adoption of agriculture. People were centrally located and

burgeoning political complexity was a factor in the daily lives of these nucleated people. The

shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture, while providing a stronger subsistence base in

good years, exposed these populations to more risk in bad year, necessitating a higher level of

regional contact. Streuver argued that the result was the interaction sphere, and was a method of

establishing continued contact between groups of people that occasionally served to buffer

against subsistence risk.

In a later article, Robert Hall (1973) outlined the concrete benefits of interaction

networks. Participation in a network fostered friendly ties with one's neighbors through the

exchange of prestige goods and the ability to count on them for exchange of subsistence goods

was improved. Food was redistributed along the same lines, and involving the same agents, as

the prestige goods exchange that forms the interaction sphere. Hall also offered a potential cause

for the collapse of an interaction sphere. He suggests that interaction spheres can disintegrate in

response to more predictable ways of providing for local subsistence needs. In such cases, it

became economically unnecessary for groups to participate in interaction sphere 'insurance'

network and regional interaction spheres were limited in favor of more localized exchange (Hall

1973: 69).

In a later paper, Dalton provided a further interpretation and expansion of the interaction

sphere concept. In a paper responding to Polanyi's thoughts on long-distance trade, Dalton

(1975) suggested that interaction sphere communities were restricted to pre-state levels of social

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complexity. These communities were reliant on lineage or clan organizations to structure

economic and social interaction, used primitive valuables for the establishment of alliances, and

showed signs of some level of endemic conflict.

Having considered what the major figures in the development of the interaction

sphere concept have said, a discussion of what they do not say should be given, and the

interaction sphere should be placed in a wider theoretical framework.

Caldwell and the others mentioned above do not specifically stress the role of elites in

their discussions of interaction spheres, although it is evident from reading their work that

individual agents are at the center of interaction networks. If individual agents are the ones

structuring and supporting the interaction sphere, Dalton's assertion of levels of social

complexity at the group level can be transferred to the political elite. Therefore, a further

requirement of an interaction sphere would be a similar level of political power for the elite

agents within an interaction sphere.

Additionally, the benefits for political elite are hinted at, but not made explicit. By

inserting themselves in the system as subsistence buffers, they place themselves at a node of

control in times of stress and increase the potential to expand their political power (see Hayden

and Gargett 1990 for a more focused discussion). Further, if the maintenance of interaction

spheres requires the movement of prestige goods that are symbolically rich and of great value, it

provides an opportunity for the political elite to shape segments of the society through control of

the production, distribution, and consumption of an important fraction of the economy. The

symbolic and value-laden nature of these goods also allows the elite to shape the ideological

structure of the society, directing and even constructing meaning from a distance, what Helms

has termed 'esoteric knowledge' (Helms 1991). Finally, through the control of the movement of

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these goods an elite has the opportunity to mediate political relationships both within his own

region and between groups at a distance. By participating in an interaction network, the elite can

channel of diffuse power at specific points, serving his own political agenda. If goods are

important ideologically, materially and symbolically, deciding who has them amounts to

deciding who can claim legitimate power at any level of social interaction.

Interaction Spheres and the Ceramic Sphere Concept

One archaeological application of the Interaction Sphere concept is the ceramic sphere. In

many ways, the ceramic sphere is merely a ceramic-based interaction sphere, with many of the

same mechanisms and behaviors guiding its formation and continuation. However, the ceramic

sphere concept has features that differentiate it from other kinds of interaction spheres. Many

classes of artifacts have long been easily distinguished as locally produced or imported. Shells,

jade, magnetite and even obsidian are restricted to a limited number of sources, and these sources

have been identified in the archaeological literature for decades. Pottery, on the other hand, can

usually be made with a range of locally available materials. Because the progression from the

recognition of ceramics exhibiting shared styles to the identification of imported pottery is not a

straightforward process, pottery types and varieties have been argued both as examples of long

distance prestige goods and as markers of localized autonomous craft production.

In order to successfully identify an artifact as a long-distance trade good, one must be

able to successfully source the raw material(s) used in its construction. By identifying the locus

of raw materials, one can either expect goods produced from that source to be deposited

relatively close, or can infer that the raw materials were transported at a significant cost. Another

step is the identification of the locus of production. Archaeologists have argued the identification

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of production loci based on high frequencies of the object being manufactured, debitage from the

manufacturing process, or tools associated with the production of an object (Weigand et al 1977).

Next, the archaeologist must be able to demonstrate the movement of goods across space. Goods

need to have been traded and not the result of the movement of people themselves. Finally, the

distribution of the artifact at the site of consumption must be considered. If the ceramics in

question are thought to be a prestige good, patterns of distribution should show signs of

restriction by an elite. The argument for this is usually based on prestige good concentrations at

‘elite’ locations such as burials and monuments requiring group construction; conversely, the

prestige good needs to be largely absent from other non-elite contexts.

Ceramics are more difficult to test in this manner than other prestige goods because clays

to make them are readily available and difficult to source by visual inspection alone. Usually the

archaeologist is forced to turn to compositional studies using petrography or chemical means

such as neutron activation analysis in order to source ceramic artifacts. Second, identifying loci

of production is especially difficult in the case of ceramics. The manufacture of ceramics

requires few, if any tools, and the firing of ceramic vessels can leave no archaeological traces.

Third, the case for the movement of pottery across space is difficult to argue. Ceramics, unlike

jade or stone pendants, are rather bulky and incur high transport costs. Maintaining a ceramic

trade network would incur higher costs to elite sponsors than many other forms of long distance

exchange. Fourth, understanding the distribution of the ceramic at the point of consumption is

difficult to accomplish since local potters are likely to produce imitation wares.

For these reasons, theory explaining the relationship between regional ceramic stylistic

similarities and the behaviors responsible for their development and maintenance has been

underdeveloped. Unlike many other artifact categories, the raw materials used to manufacture

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ceramics are ubiquitous, and a range of behaviors could explain a single regional ceramic

pattern. Despite these limitations, attempts have been made to model potential behaviors that

drive the development of regional ceramic patterns. One of these is the ceramic sphere concept.

A ceramic sphere is defined as an integrative unit above the ceramic complex; it exists

when the majority of the most common ceramic types are shared between two or more ceramic

complexes (Willey, Culbert and Adams 1967: 306). In other words, a ceramic sphere exists when

two or more sites share most of the ceramic types comprising their ceramic assemblages. This

identification can be difficult because the ceramic types that join regions are often identified in a

site-specific context and described accordingly. In these cases a widely distributed ceramic type

may go unnoticed due to incomplete or incomparable designation by multiple researchers. Even

worse, a type that appears at one site can be misidentified as being identical to a type at another

site without the rigorous testing of these assertions by the researcher.

When successfully identified, however, a ceramic sphere shows that there was a high

degree of interaction between participating communities. The precise form of that interaction,

however, is left ambiguous: it can be the product of the actual movement of pots through

economic interaction, or the communication of the technological and stylistic information

pertinent to ceramic manufacture and design. The reasons for the development of a ceramic

sphere are similar to those argued for the development of an interaction sphere. The ceramics

being traded cement relationships between regions, providing a secure source of non-elite goods

in times of stress. Once established, the ceramic sphere allows the elite figure to further their

own political agenda through the careful manipulation of the distribution of goods reinforcing a

political ideology (Robinson 1988: 11).

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Once identified, researchers must then explain the type of interaction responsible for

formulation of a ceramic sphere. This is important because the type of interaction, whether it be

the diffusion of ideas or technological skill, the movement of actual potters or pot owners over

space through migration, or the movement of the pots themselves, all have significant

ramifications for understanding the social, political and economic forces that shaped it.

As the above review has demonstrated, the interaction sphere concept clearly has utility

in the explanation of regional social, political and economic behavior, and helps the

archaeologist to understand the local and regional factors that shaped this behavior. The

interaction sphere concept has not gone without its criticisms, however. The interaction sphere

concept tends to lose much of its explanatory value once societies in the sphere of interaction

reach a moderate to high level of social complexity. It appears that for tribes and the majority of

chiefdom level societies, interaction sphere theory has explanatory value. In proto-states or state

level societies, the development of institutions, the ability for political figures to exact influence

at a distance, and the technological and systemic advances that allow materials such as bulk

staples all contribute to the abandonment of interaction sphere theory in favor of other lines of

theory, such as world-systems perspectives or peer-polity models. In Mesoamerica there have

been few attempts to use the interaction sphere concept, but it has yet to catch on in a significant

way.

The ceramic sphere likewise has utility for archaeologists studying regional similarities in

ceramic assemblages. Recognition of a ceramic sphere shifts the level of analysis from a site or

group of sites to a broad region, prompting researchers to consider a wider range of behaviors

that could explain the range of type-varieties at a site and how they are distributed. However,

many regional ceramic patterns are not investigated once they are recognized due to the inability

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of researchers to define patterns of production and distribution without additional research. The

participation of elites in behaviors that lead to these similarities is often assumed but untested.

Because ceramic spheres lacking evidence for production and distribution can be interpreted as

the result of a wide range of behaviors, these too have had limited application and success in

Mesoamerica.

The Uapala Ceramic Sphere

The Uapala Ceramic Sphere is a region of ceramic similarity that comprises parts of El

Salvador and much of Honduras during the Late Preclassic period (Figure 21). The sphere was

proposed by E.W. Andrews V following extensive excavations at the site of Quelepa in eastern

El Salvador (Andrews 1976, 1977). The Uapala ceramic sphere is based on the presence of a

single pottery type: Izalco Usulután. Excavations from several test pits at Quelepa’s East Group

revealed a number of caches dating to the Uapala phase (C. 500-400 B.C. to A.D. 150). These

caches were composed almost entirely of Usulután pottery, and this type constitutes almost 60%

of the Uapala phase lots throughout the site.

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Figure 21. Map of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. (Demarest 1986)

Andrews recognized similarities between the Usulután ceramics of Quelepa, and those

found at sites in the Guatemalan highlands (e.g. Kaminaljuyu), and Los Naranjos in Honduras.

He argued that the different dating of the phases in which Usulután appeared suggests two

phases of development and expansion. First, Usulután resist pottery appears throughout western

El Salvador and highland Guatemala during a portion of the Middle Preclassic Period (650-400

BC). He refrains from identifying any single site as the origin of Usulután, but suggests that the

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pottery was likely developed somewhere within this region. After this initial development,

Usulután is found later in ceramic complexes in Eastern El Salvador and Honduras that date to

the late Middle Preclassic. Because Usulután is found in these regions without any stylistic

antecedents, Andrews argues that the pottery style spread east and north sometime after 300 B.C.

Andrews argues that the mechanism for the geographic spread of this ceramic tradition is

the movement of Quiche speakers radiating outward from a heartland in Western El Salvador

and the Guatemalan highlands to the rest of the Uapala ceramic sphere. Evidence for such

movement is based on phonological correspondences between Lenca and Quiche and the modern

distribution of Lenca place names.

Lenca, a linguistic group that dominated central and western Honduras and much of El

Salvador at the time of Spanish contact, has been considered a part of the Macro-Chibchan

language system, of which Quiche is also a member. Andrews (1972: 53) suggests that Lenca

diverged as a language from Quiche during the first millennium B.C. as populations left the

Quiche-speaking portions of the Guatemalan highlands and Western El Salvador and settled to

the east. The correlation of Lenca place names at the time of contact with the extent of Usulután

pottery at sites dating to the Middle and Late Preclassic is also cited as evidence of this

migration.

Demarest, citing ceramic evidence from Santa Leticia, reiterated the existence of the

Uapala ceramic sphere, although he expanded the list of ceramic similarities to include two

additional ceramic categories (Figure 21). First, zoned bichromes that are closely related to

Izalco Usulután. This decoration is frequently seen on jars, often with fillet appliqué or incision.

Types and varieties that fit within this group are Pacheco Dichrome at Copan, Placitas Red at

Quelepa and Ulúa Bichrome in west-central Honduras. A second category added by Demarest is

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a similar plain buff ceramic, which lacks red paint and is dominated by jar and tecomate forms

(Demarest 1986: 163). Based on frequencies of this expanded range of types, Demarest argued

that the Naco Valley, Ulúa Valley and Santa Barbara regions of Honduras should be added to the

Andrews’ sphere as well.

Demarest agrees with Andrews’ assertion that the Uapala sphere is related to Lenca

speaking cultures. He cautions, however, that without more specific connections between

proposed areas of origin and the rest of the sphere, a range of hypotheses other than Andrews’

migration hypothesis could explain the Late Preclassic spread of Izalco Usulután across the

southern periphery (Demarest 1986: 175).

An examination of the sphere by Robinson (1988) called into question both Andrews’

and Demarest’s formulations. Robinson argued for expanding the size of the Uapala ceramic

sphere based on a review of Late Preclassic complexes from the Sula (later called Ulúa) Valley

and Los Naranjos. First, Robinson argued that all of the Sula valley should be included in the

sphere because of the substantial amounts of Usulután found being reported at Colonia Care,

YR-162, Rio Pelo and La Guacamaya. She also suggested that the El Cajon region should also be

included based on recent research (Figure 22).

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Figure 22. Map of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. (Robinson 1988)

She suggested that mere presence or absence of similarities among types within a region

were not sufficient to define a ceramic sphere. Instead, similarities needed to be present among

types that constitute a significant portion of the overall ceramic complex. An examination of the

frequency of Usulután ceramics based on current research at the time at Yarumela and the Ulúa

Valley suggested that amounts of Izalco/Muerdalo at Yarumela and in the Ulúa Valley were very

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small. Based on available evidence, she suggested that the distribution of Usulután pottery within

the sphere could conform to a simple fall-off curve from assumed loci of production in El

Salvador and not provide any evidence of increased interaction. Rather than a sponsored or

directed trade network of elite sponsorship, this distribution suggests a simple function of

distance from the point of manufacture.

In addition to the presence of Izalco/Muerdalo Usulután, Robinson suggests the majority

of sites within the sphere show a range of functional or stylistic alternatives. In a central corridor

of the sphere, Yarumela and Los Naranjos showed significant amounts of the locally made

double slipped variant of Usulután called Bolo Orange. Robinson argues that elsewhere in the

sphere, red-slipped fine paste bowls lacking resist decoration show an intimate knowledge of

Usulután manufacturing methods, with these red-slipped vessels replacing Izalco Usulután.

Her analysis suggests that beneath a veneer of inter-regional stylistic similarity there are

obvious regional variations. The small amounts of Izalco Usulután combined with the

proliferation of stylistic alternatives shows that there is a sharing of ideas about a common resist

style across the sphere, but not the kinds of intense interaction that results in a sharing of

multiple ceramic types resulting in a single ceramic sphere. The distribution of different varieties

of Izalco Usulután-inspired pottery such as Bolo Orange can be traced to identify sub-spheres

and these sub-spheres should replace the single Uapala Ceramic Sphere proposed by Andrews

and Demarest.

One sub-sphere identified by Robinson includes sites on the eastern portion of the Ulúa

Valley and Los Naranjos at Lake Yojoa. During the Middle and Late Preclassic periods, La

Guacamaya and Los Naranjos share a majority of their six most common types: Izalco Usulután,

Muerdalo Orange, Bolo Orange and three other non-resist decorated types. Robinson suggests

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these similarities are the result of easy interaction along the Blanco River and represents a

sharing of decorative style, and not the pottery itself. During the Late Preclassic, this sphere

expanded to include the El Cajon region, Yarumela in the Comayagua Valley and the Choluteca

region.

Absent from this sub-sphere during the Late Preclassic are portions of the Santa Barbara

region, Naco Valley and Copan, all in the western portion of Honduras. Their absence is based

on the lack of Bolo Orange and lesser overall similarities in ceramic complexes with sites and

regions to the east. While these sites and regions may have maintained contact with other

portions of the sphere, Robinson argues they do not show the range of ceramic similarity

required for a ceramic sphere.

The fundamental difference between the single spheres proposed by Andrews and

Demarest and the multiple spheres proposed by Robinson is that Robinson’s spheres include the

consideration of non-Izalco Usulután variants. Because these variants clearly are related to Izalco

in terms of decoration, they need to be considered if we are to completely understand the

composition of the sphere. However, neither Andrews nor Demarest should be faulted for not

considering non-Izalco types in their analysis. When their research was published, archaeological

research in Honduras was very limited. About the same time as Demarest’s 1986 report on Santa

Leticia was published, multiple in the Ulúa, Naco, and Comayagua Valleys and Santa Barbara

and El Cajon regions were in their infancy. Robinson, being a member of one of those projects,

was in a unique position to comment on these new types.

In 1991, Wonderley provided another assessment of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere based on

research to date, in the Ulúa valley in which he sought to redefine the sphere chronologically,

geographically and behaviorally. Wonderley argued for an upward revision of the Cayanac

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complex in Western El Salvador and complexes at Quelepa and Copan suggesting that the

Uapala Ceramic Sphere appeared in northern Honduras about 200 BC and likely lasted until AD

200.

In terms of its geographic extent, Wonderley suggested that the sphere comprises an arc

that on its western edge included the southeastern highlands, including the sites of Quelepa,

Copan, Quirigua and possibly the Paraíso basin in north-central El Salvador. This arc extended to

the north and east to include most of Honduras. Sites or regions included are the Comayagua

Valley, the Ulúa Valley, the Santa Barbara region, the El Cajon region, the Sulaco region and

possibly Lake Yojoa. Wonderley’s addition of the Lake Yojoa region is tentative based on the

poor preservation of Jaral phase (800-400 BC) ceramics and overall poor chronological control

at the site of Los Naranjos. He cautioned that more research needed to be done in this area before

Los Naranjos could be properly positioned within the sphere.

In order to characterize the sphere in behavioral terms, Wonderley compared the non-

ceramic artifacts and site planning and architecture for Playa de los Muertos, Rio Pelo, La

Guacamaya, and Colonia Care with sites in the southeastern highlands. He concludes that a

combination of similarities and differences that suggest some level of initial contact, followed by

divergent localized development. The ceramic evidence from the same regions suggests a

convergence of ceramic styles that add to an underlying established range of types and varieties.

Wonderley suggests that the ceramic evidence to date does not reflect the exchange of goods, the

acquisition of status-related objects or the behavior of ranked elites.

The only sphere-wide similarity Wonderley argues for is the occurrence of a similar class

of dishes. Bowls with outflaring walls and other open vessels constitute a functionally specific

package of vessel types, all of which were adopted earliest in the southeastern highlands and then

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spread throughout the sphere. Using Izalco Usulután as a model, potters outside the highlands

copied vessel forms and only in some cases, the decorative modes that define Izalco. Wonderley

points out that in ceremonial contexts both the forms and the decoration is likely to be adopted,

but in domestic contexts, the vessel forms are copied with a higher frequency than the decorative

modes.

Wonderley speculates that the adoption and proliferation of these vessel forms

throughout the sphere may represent a behavioral change, with inhabitants within the sphere

emphasizing the communal sharing of food. Where Izalco Usulután is found in ceremonial

contexts, this combination of vessel form and decoration may indicate feasting behavior among

and between elites. In domestic contexts, tracing the different modes of decoration adorning

these vessel types may prove useful in identifying the lateral movement of individuals or groups

through intermarriage or short-distance migration.

The Uapala Ceramic Sphere – Regional Profiles

Comayagua Valley

The Comayagua Valley is dominated during throughout the Middle and Late Formative

and Early Classic periods by the site of Yarumela (Figures 23, 24). Surveys of the valley by the

Yarumela Archaeological Project (Joesink-Mandeville 1987) suggest a two level site hierarchy,

with the primate center being Yarumela. Arguments for Yarumela’s centralized political control

of the valley have been based due to its centralized location within the valley, material

assemblages, and site design and magnitude. Smaller sites in the valley to the north and south of

Yarumela have been determined to be secondary sites based on smaller amounts of monumental

architecture, a smaller proportion of prestige goods, and the lack of central plazas or other forms

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of special purpose architecture (Dixon et al 1994). As the following review will show, the

majority of fieldwork in the region has been undertaken at Yarumela, offering the largest

ceramic collection for study. For this reason, the Comayagua Valley will be represented by

Yarumela in this study.

Figure 23. Map of the Comayagua Valley. (Joesink-Mandeville 1993)

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Figure 24. Map of Yarumela, Comayagua Valley. (Joesink-Mandeville 1993)

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The site of Yarumela is a complex of over 20 mounds that dominates the West side of the

Rio Humuya in the center of the Comayagua Valley in central Honduras (Figure 24). Located

atop a natural high point in the valley, Yarumela's four largest mounds are aligned following the

cardinal directions, forming a central plaza approximately a half-kilometer in size along its east-

west axis and over a kilometer along its north-south axis. The largest mound, Mound 101,

constitutes the site's western boundary. Also referred to as El Cerrito, this mound measures over

twenty meters in height and 165 by 100 meters at its base, making it one of the largest man-made

structures in prehistoric Honduras. The site is bounded on the south, east and west sides by the

meandering Rio Humuya, which forms an oxbow at the north and south. The overall size of the

site is considerable, stretching nearly one and a half kilometers on its north-south axis and a full

kilometer on its east-west axis.

Ephraim Squier first investigated the mound complex site of Yarumela in 1858. Squier's

report provided a summary of the flora and fauna that surrounded the site at the time of his visit

and described the size, shape and condition of the mounds (Squier 1859). The next phase of

research took place in the beginning half of this century and was dominated by the work of two

prolific reporters on Honduran prehistory, Samuel Lothrop and Monseñor Federico Lunardi.

These two researchers placed Yarumela in a valley wide context, recognizing the site as the

principal site in the valley. Lothrop and Lunardi can also be credited with providing two of the

earliest descriptions of ceramic artifacts at the site, drawing from limited surface collections

conducted during their investigations of the valley (Lothrop 1927, Lunardi 1941).

In the second half of the century two investigators, Doris Stone and Joel Canby, did much

to place Yarumela within a chronological sequence. Stone’s work, conducted during the late

1940’s and published in 1957, correctly placed the site within the Formative period (1000 BC –

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AD 250) and provided the first widely published report on the site (Stone 1937). Stone’s work

led Joel Canby to Yarumela, who constructed a preliminary ceramic sequence based on the first

intensive excavations at the site. Canby was also the first to speculate about contacts between

Yarumela and sites to the far north, noting similarities between Formative Yarumela and Classic

period Copan ceramics in both form and decoration (Canby 1949).

The next thirty years of research at Yarumela was limited to observations on existing

ceramic collections, and as a result only minor revisions of the ceramic chronology and site

interpretation were progressed. The discussion of Yarumela in terms of inter-regional contact

was revitalized by E.W. Andrews V, who argued for a general ceramic sphere that included

Yarumela, several other Honduran sites (Los Naranjos, Copan and Santa Rita) and the site of

Quelepa in El Salvador. These and other discussions of Yarumela in contact with other sites and

regions (Demarest 1986, Robinson 1988) were then furthered by Joesink-Mandeville, who

focused on possible links both to the north and south of Yarumela through excavations initiated

at Yarumela in 1981. Drawing from extensive excavations of several of the primary mounds at

the site, Joesink-Mandeville noted ceramic figurines of a Southern Mexican Olmec style and

earspools much like those of the Conchas phase of Pacific Guatemala (Joesink-Mandeville

1987:203).

In addition to evidence for contact between Yarumela and its closest neighbors,

arguments have been made asserting more distant contact. Evidence of such contact was first

proposed by Michael Coe, who noted that the earspools at Yarumela, later seen as evidence of

northern contact, in fact correlated to earspools of the Chorrera phase of coastal Ecuador as well.

Coe also suggested that shallow plates that dominate the Yarumela ceramic tradition are most

similar to the manioc griddles of northwestern South America (Coe 1961).

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Joesink-Mandeville has also argued for contact between Yarumela and its neighbors to

the distant south. He cites strong affinities between both the Ecuadorian and Peruvian ceramic

traditions with that of Yarumela. Similarities between Yarumelan ceramics and those of Costa

Rican and Guatemalan traditions have also been noted (Joesink-Mandeville 1987).

Research in the valley outside of Yarumela has consisted mainly of surface collecting and

some test pitting. Although secondary sites have been identified (Dixon 1989), their relationship

to Yarumela and extent of occupation is largely unknown.

Usulután pottery is found at Yarumela during the Miravalle Complex, which dates from

300 BC to AD 250. Visual examination of the Yarumela ceramic collection resulted in some

Usulután being found at each of the archaeological operations at the site dating to that period.

Usulután is most abundant at the largest mound, Mound 101, and Mound 102, which lies across

a large plaza from Mound 101. Both of these are elite domestic contexts, with Mound 101

thought to have been the home of a chief with valley-wide political control.

The Ulúa Valley

The Ulúa Valley is located in northern central Honduras and contains over four hundred

surveyed sites, many of which have Formative period components (Figure 25). Of principal

interest in this study are the sites of Río Pelo and La Guacamaya, both located along the eastern

edge of the Ulúa Valley.

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Figure 25. Map of the Ulúa Valley. Sites mentioned in the text include: Rio Pelo (6), La Guacamaya (11) and Playa de los Muertos (17). (Beaudry-Corbett et al 1993)

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Río Pelo refers to a group of mounds located along the eastern edge of the Ulúa Valley at

an elevation of 90 meters above the valley floor (Figure 26). Excavations at the site were

initiated by Anthony Wonderley (1991) whose work included both lithic and ceramic analyses,

as well as targeted excavations regarding site occupation and mound construction sequences.

The site’s major occupation dates to Late Formative Pelo II period, dating from 150 BC to 150

AD. Although there appears to be some occupation prior to the Pelo II phase, it was during Pelo

II that the majority of the monumental construction at the site occurred, with over a dozen

mounds being constructed. Construction episodes were few at Rio Pelo, with some of the mound

being constructed with a single effort. The mounds range in height from 1 to 6 meters, with some

located around a small plaza (Wonderley 1991: 152-4).

Figure 26. Rio Pelo site map, Ulúa Valley. (Wonderley 1991)

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Usulután-decorated ceramics appear at Rio Pelo during the Pelo II period (150 BC – AD

150), and are part of a broader group of ceramics termed the Santa Elena group. Muerdalo

Orange ceramics are found at Rio Pelo in relatively small numbers, with a total of 72 sherds

being recovered. Of those, 17 classifiable rims were identified. From these rims, researchers

have determined that the Muerdalo Orange collection is dominated by bowls, with only three of

the 17 rim sherds being non-bowls. The paste for these vessels is generally fine, with little to no

temper present. The Usulután decoration on the vessels is commonly represented by groups of

parallel straight or curvilinear lines of a cream color contrasted with an orange to orange-red slip.

La Guacamaya is located along the eastern side of the Ulúa Valley, and was extensively

explored by Eugenia Robinson (1987). Comprised of three main architectural groups, the Tyaj,

Chalmecon and Gordon, La Guacamaya includes several dozen mounds of varying heights, with

several of the mounds situated around a plaza (Figure 27).

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Figure 27. La Guacamaya site map, Ulúa Valley. (Robinson 1988)

Excavations by Robinson have provided a large amount of chronologically defined

ceramic material, with a Late Formative component dominating the collection. Two operations at

La Guacamaya in close proximity to mound structures and probably representing in situ debris

yielded ceramic material dating to the Late Formative and was named the Pehul Ceramic

Complex.

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Numbering over 2,700 sherds, the Pehul Complex collection has over 20 defined ceramic

types and several ceramic classes. The types of greatest interest here are the Usulután types of

Muerdalo Orange and Zarrosa Orange, which appear in substantial amounts at the site. The

Muerdalo Orange found at La Guacamaya is consistent with similarly named ceramics at other

sites. It is a fine paste ware, with white and orange resist decoration. Design elements include the

familiar multiple straight or curvilinear parallel lines in white contrasted on an orange surface.

Rim sherd analysis suggests that Muerdalo Orange appears to be highly associated with bowl

forms, with non-bowl forms constituting a small proportion of the collection.

The other resist ceramic found at La Guacamaya is Zarrosa Orange, which is a double

slipped orange and cream ware that is similarly of fine paste. Zarrosa Orange occurs only in a

variety of bowl forms. Again, design elements include the sets of multiple parallel straight or

curvilinear lines of a cream color contrasted with an orange background (Beaudry-Corbett et al

1993: 81-82; Robinson 1988: 14-16).

Playa de los Muertos, located in the Upper Ulúa Valley of northern Honduras, was first

investigated by George Byron Gordon around the turn of the 20th century. While his initial study

did little to illuminate the history of the site’s occupation, it did serve to attract attention to the

site from others. In 1934, Popenoe and Valliant provided the first descriptive works on the

ceramics at Playa de los Muertos, which included comparisons to ceramics from sites in Central

Mexico (Ticoman and Zacatenco) and the Maya region (Holmul, Uaxactun and Kaminaljuyu).

The excavated material from these investigations prompted Valliant to include Playa de los

Muertos among the sites demonstrating Q-Complex cultural traits. Ranging geographically from

Guatemala to Peru, sites with attributes on the Q-complex trait list were thought to have had

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some level of interaction in prehistory and represented a larger cultural sphere that existed during

the Formative period (Popenoe 1934).

The works of Popenoe and Valliant were heavily drawn upon by Doris Stone, the next

individual to investigate the site (Stone and Turnbull 1941). The pre-war archaeological efforts at

Playa de los Muertos also included the construction of the first relative chronological sequence

by Strong Kidder and Paul (1938), who dated the occupation at the site to the Formative period

based on comparative ceramic studies outside the region. In these investigations, the ceramics in

the Upper Ulúa Valley were found to be stylistically similar to those found in the Mamom and

Chicanel complexes of the Maya regions. Comparisons were also drawn with the Yojoa

monochrome style of Los Naranjos.

Research at the site was stagnant until the dissertation work of Nedenia Kennedy (1981),

who incorporated absolute dating methods in a series of new excavations at the site and

confirmed the Formative period date proposed by Strong, Kidder and Paul. Her work focused on

the ceramics at the site and provided a three-stage sequence persisting through the Formative

period and stretching into the Classic period (AD 250-800).

Kennedy’s generation of new ceramic data at Playa de los Muertos served as a reference

for a number of comparative studies with the sequences of sites both near and far. Correlations

were drawn between the Classic Period sequence at Playa de los Muertos and others in Belize

and the Copan Valley of Northern Honduras (Sheptak 1987), as well as Los Naranjos, Yarumela

and other sites in Central Honduras (Henderson and Beaudry-Corbett 1993).

The argument for significant levels of contact between Playa de los Muertos and its

neighbors during the Formative period are less agreed upon, however. While some researchers

argue that Formative period ceramics excavated in the Upper Ulúa Valley reflect high levels of

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contact to both the north and south of the Upper Ulúa Valley (Joyce 1987, Joesink-Mandeville:

personal communication 2001), others have questioned the validity of a large ceramic sphere

dating to the Formative period that includes Playa de los Muertos and distant sites in El

Salvador. Instead, a smaller ceramic sphere has been proposed (Robinson 1988) that includes

sites in northern and central Honduras but excludes sites both to the south and north of these

regions.

Lake Yojoa Region

The Lake Yojoa region is best known for the site of Los Naranjos, located on the

northern shore of Honduras’ largest lake (Figure 28). One of the lesser-studied regions of

Honduras, Los Naranjos represents the only heavily studied site in the region. For this reason,

Los Naranjos will be the site of prominence representing the Lake Yojoa region in this study.

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Figure 28. Lake Yojoa Region, Honduras. (Beaudry-Corbett et al 1993)

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The site of Los Naranjos was first reported by Doris Stone (1937), who observed a

mound complex on the northern shore of the lake (Figure 29). The first systematic investigations

at the site were carried out by a combined French and Mexican research team headed by Claude

Baudez (Baudez and Becquelin 1973), who published the only history of the site and description

of its ceramic tradition to date. They argued for chiefdom-level social complexity at the site

based on the size and number of mounds and excavations of burials associated with the site. The

ceramic collection now housed in Tegucigalpa has been the source of much investigation by

those working at other sites (outlined below). Since the publication of Baudez’s ceramic catalog,

researchers have referred to their work extensively and made comparisons of the Los Naranjos

tradition to other sites (Beaudry-Corbett 1993). Specific comparisons have been drawn between

the ceramics at Los Naranjos and distant neighbors to the north and south. Specifically, Los

Naranjos shows ceramic similarities with complexes in Nicaragua (Baudez 1970), Chalchuapa

(Beaudry-Corbett 1993), Chukumuk (Lothrop 1933), and Bilbao (Parsons 1967). Comparisons

with closer neighbors have been made with respect to the eastern side of the Ulúa valley and El

Cajon region (Robinson 1987), Comayagua Valley in general (Baudez 1966) and Yarumela in

particular (Joesink-Mandeville: personal communication 1999).

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Figure 29. Los Naranjos site map, Lake Yojoa region. (Bebb et al 1996)

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Usulután ceramics are prominent in the Los Naranjos ceramic assemblage, constituting

approximately 10% of the total ceramic assemblage excavated by Baudez and Becquelin (1973).

The Usulután decoration is separated into two major types. The first is termed Múerdalo Orange

and has several indentifying characteristics. It has a single red-orange slip on top of a cream

colored surface, with groups of cream-colored curved or straight lines dominating observed

design elements. This method of decoration is found on vessels of a fine to very fine paste

quality, with few inclusions present. In terms of vessel forms, bowls dominate, with Beaudry-

Corbett suggesting that only 40 of the 985 Usulután-decorated samples are from jars or other

non-bowl forms (Beaudry-Corbett 1993: 182). The level of temporal control at the site with

regards to the ceramic assemblage is generally poor, with this type of Usulután ceramics being

dated to somewhere in the Eden I (300 BC – AD 250) or II (AD 250-AD 600) periods (Beaudry-

Corbett 1993: 183).

The second type of Usulután-decorated ceramics found at Los Naranjos is Bolo Orange.

It is found in much smaller numbers, constituting only 3% of the collection. Unlike Muerdalo

Orange, Bolo Orange is associated with vessels of a medium paste, with a higher frequency and

size of inclusions in the paste. Also, unlike Muerdalo, Bolo Orange is double slipped with

whitish and orange-red colors. Vessel form for Bolo Orange is dominated by varieties of bowls,

with jars and other non-bowl forms constituting less than 1% of the collection. Cream colored

lines adorn the vessels in a similar fashion to Muerdalo Orange, with curved and straight lines

appearing in groups of two to five lines each set. Temporally, Bolo Orange appears to have

gained prominence prior to Muerdalo, although there is considerable overlap between the types,

with Bolo appearing during the Eden I and II periods as well (Beaudry-Corbett 1993: 193).

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Naco Valley

The Naco Valley lies in northwestern Honduras and surrounds the Rio Chalmecon

(Figure 30). The Naco Valley is roughly 20 km northeast of the modern Ulúa Valley city of San

Pedro Sula. Nearby regions included in this study include the Copan Valley to the southwest and

the Lake Yojoa region to the south.

Figure 30. Map of the Naco Valley. Sites mentioned in the text include La Sierra (2) and Santo Domingo (5). (Urban 1993a)

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The history of investigation in the Naco Valley is a long, but relatively undistinguished

one. The valley was first observed by early explorers canvassing Honduras for a variety of

natural resources. Its archaeological components were ignored until the Smithsonian-Harvard

projects of 1936 (Strong, Kidder and Paul 1938). This survey identified five sites in the valley,

including the site of Naco, where limited test pitting was conducted. Henderson’s work in the

1970’s represented the first systematic and expanded excavations (Henderson et al 1979). The

most recent excavations in the valley have been conducted by Urban and Schortman (Urban,

Schortman and Ausec 2002, Schortman and Urban 1994), who have ongoing projects in the

valley today. The bulk of the ceramic collection for the Naco Valley is based on extensive

excavations carried out by Urban and Schortman at the site of La Sierra, a site with several

mound clusters that has been interpreted as the primate site in a regional settlement hierarchy and

the home of a valley-wide chiefdom (Schortman and Urban 1994) (Figure 31).

Figure 31. La Sierra site map, Naco Valley. (Urban and Schortman 1994)

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The chronological sequence for the valley is a long one, beginning with limited Middle

Preclassic (800-400 BC) settlements and stretching into the Early Postclassic (AD 1100-1250).

Like other regions in Honduras we find the usual development cycle of small villages being

replaced by larger, stratified sites as population levels in the valley increased.

Usulután ceramics appear in the Late Preclassic period, termed the El Limon Complex by

researchers. Ceramic collections for this time period stem from excavations conducted by Urban

in 1977 and 1979, with the Usulután material specifically coming from excavations at the site of

Santo Domingo, a mound complex at the north edge of the valley. Usulután decorated ceramics

are present during this time period in good numbers, representing approximately 15% of the

ceramic assemblage. Urban has named the Usulután excavated at the site Izalco Usulután, which

is characterized by a very fine paste with little to no temper visible. Bowls dominate the form of

this type, with no non-bowl rim sherds having been excavated. The usual multiple wavy line

resist marks of a cream color set against an orange slipped background appears here (Urban

1993a: 37).

There is a presence of Usulután-decorated ceramics in the Early Classic Period, but in

very small numbers (1.4% of the total assemblage). Referred to as Chilanga Usulután, the vessel

forms for this period are less restrictive than in the Preclassic, with cylindrical vessels being

added here. In addition, the usual orange and cream desist motif is joined by red painted rim

decoration. Because of these changes in form and decoration, Urban suggests that this ware

reflects a local tradition and not one shared by other sites outside the Naco Valley (Urban 1993a:

39).

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Santa Barbara Region

The Santa Barbara region is located just to the west of Lake Yojoa in what is now the

Tencoa Valley. The region is very rugged, with elevations ranging from 300 to 800 meters above

sea level over very short distances. The region is dominated by the site of Gualjoquito, which sits

along the east bank of the Ulúa River atop one of a limited number of flat, well-drained plains in

the valley (Figure 32). Fieldwork carried out by Urban (1993b) over the span of four field

seasons identified Gualjoquito as the region’s largest site with extensive monumental

architecture, and this site has been interpreted as the likely primate site in a valley-wide

chiefdom. Occupation at Gualjoquito begins during the Late Preclassic period and the site

rapidly developed in terms of size and social complexity. During this period Izalco Usulután is

reported to be fairly common, although percentages of ceramic complexes or groups are not

available. Because Izalco Usulután has been found in significant amounts at Gualjoquito, and is

fully comparable to Izalco found elsewhere in Mesoamerica, interaction between the inhabitants

of the site and other elites where Izalco Usulután has been found has been inferred (Schortman

Pers. Comm. 2005). The extent of the distribution of Izalco Usulután elsewhere in the region has

not been reported, although a total of 61 sites recovered enough ceramic evidence that

chronological control could be achieved.

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Figure 32. Santa Barbara region, Honduras (Urban 1993b)

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El Cajon Region

The El Cajon region is located in Central Honduras, at the confluence of the Sulaco and

Humuya Rivers (Figure 33). The valley is situated between the Comayagua Valley, which is to

the south and upstream on the Humuya River and the Ulúa Valley, which is to the north and

downstream on the Humuya River. The Sulaco River extends from where it meets with the

Humuya to the east, eventually passing the modern town of Victoria.. The terrain in this region is

rugged, with a limited amount of landscape that would be conducive to permanent settlement in

prehistory. Of concern to researchers have been the valley bottoms in close proximity to the

rivers in the region. It is in these areas that a combination of soil quality and access to water

provides a more hospitable environment (Hirth et al 1989:19-23).

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Figure 33. Map of the El Cajon Region. (Hirth et al 1993)

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The history of investigation in the El Cajon region is similar to other regions in

Honduras. The work of the Smithsonian-Harvard Project provided the first surveying of the

region in terms of its archaeological recourses (Strong, Kidder and Paul 1938). Following

mention of the region in that study, research in the valley was largely stagnant until a preliminary

archaeological reconnaissance of the Sulaco and Humuya river drainages and their surrounding

areas conducted by Veliz and Hasemann (1978).

This reconnaissance led to the most comprehensive archaeological evidence to date. The

El Cajon Archaeological Project was initiated in response to plans to flood the valley bottoms of

the region following the construction of the El Cajon Hydroelectric Dam. Foremost a salvage

project, its goals were to collect and document as much archaeological material as possible and

submit this material to the widest range of analytical methods as possible. As a result of a valley-

wide archaeological survey, Hirth identified a total of 45 archaeological sites with occupation

periods ranging from 400 BC to AD 1000. The height of social complexity and population

density appears to have occurred within the region around AD 600, although social complexity

and a three-tiered settlement hierarchy are visible during the Late Preclassic period. Hirth argues

for small lineage-based political systems dominated by four large sites, Salitron Viejo,

Guarabuqui, La Ceiba, and Intendencia. Each of the sites exhibits monumental architecture in the

form of large earthen mounds, one or more plazas, and different signs of large construction

projects. The largest site, Salitron Viejo, appears to have been prominent during the Late

Preclassic to Early Classic transition, and likely was the primate site of a regional chiefdom

(Hirth et al 1989). Thankfully, this research resulted in the collection of vast amounts of

ceramics. It is from this collection that the presence and frequency of Usulután decorated

ceramics is known (Hirth et al 1989: 1-5).

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Usulután pottery first appears during the early Yunque phase, which dates from 400 BC

to AD 1, in deposits from Salitron Viejo (PC-1), PC-22 and PC-37. PC-22 and PC-37 are both

secondary sites within this chiefdom, but likely had their own elite population segments as well.

Two types are identified during this phase: Muerdalo-Related with Resist Decoration and Bolo

Orange. Muerdalo-Related with Resist Decoration occurs in three distinctly different pastes, used

to subdivide this ceramic class into several types and varieties. These paste types include a fine

textured, temperless cream paste; a fine textured light orange paste; and a coarse cream granular

paste. All paste variants are slipped orange and occur with both monochrome and resist-

decorated surfaces. Bolo Orange is characterized by a coarse brown paste and a thick orange on

white double slip surface.

During the Late Yunque phase (AD 1 – AD 400) Muerdalo-Related ceramic types made

with the fine textured cream paste and fine textured orange paste continue, with more orange

paste vessels than cream paste vessels dating to this period. The coarse paste variant seen during

the Early Yunque is not represented. Bolo Orange decreases in frequency during this phase.

Multiple ceramic types found in the El Cajon region have been compared to those at Los

Naranjos, Playa de los Muertos and other sites in the Ulúa region, sites in the Santa Barbara

region, Yarumela in the Comayagua Valley and Copan. Comparisons have been made between

types found in the El Cajon region and ceramic types found in El Salvador and highland

Guatemala as well, including the El Cajon type Muerdalo Orange, which appears to be similar in

decoration and paste to Izalco Usulután from those regions.

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Copan and the Copan Valley

The Copan Valley is located in northwestern Honduras along the Guatemalan border.

This valley is famous for the Maya site of Copan, which is located in the southern portion of the

valley. Copan itself has a history of occupation dating as far back as 1400 BC, but is mostly

known for its Classic Period sociopolitical development, monumental architecture and sculpture.

Ceramic material dating to the Late Formative and Early Preclassic periods is relatively rare and

from a limited number of contexts for two reasons. First, Classic period construction was

extensive and superimposed over Formative period structures, and second, because the regime of

the river has changed and there has been a lot of deposition, burying Formative occupations on

the valley floor (Bell, Canuto and Sharer 2004).

Usulután dating to the Chabij complex was found to the south of the Acropolis at Copan

in what have been interpreted as elite contexts (Viel 1983: 484-491). Bijac complex sherds at

Copan are from several contexts, all of which are thought to be related to elite residential or

ceremonial structures. Bijac complex Usulután is found in early levels at the Great Plaza at

Copan, which was an early locus for ceremonial activity and in areas south of the Acropolis,

which may have been an elite residential area (Viel 1993: 15). Acbi complex Usulután pottery

has been found in a number of Early Classic elite burials, including the Hunal tomb, which has

been attributed to Copan ruler K’inich Yax K’uk Mo’ (Reents-Budet et al 2004). Finally, Acbi

complex Usulután pottery is reported at the elite site of 8N-11 in the Las Sepulturas portion of

the Copan urban core. The site of 8N-11 has been interpreted as the Late Classic residence of an

elite ‘war captain’ (Webster et al 1988). Of 328 sherds dating to the Acbi complex at 8N-11, 23

showed Usulután decoration.

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Usulután found outside of the elite core at Copan comes from the sites of Los Achiotes

and El Raizal, both of which were likely secondary centers affiliated with Copan. Los Achiotes

pre-dates much of the socio-political growth at Copan, but the Los Achiotes elite nevertheless

appear to have maintained strong political, religious and economies ties with Copan. Usulután at

this site is concentrated in cache deposits surrounding a ballcourt. Tetrapod Usulután vessels

from these contexts are thought to have been used to serve foods during ballgame ceremonies

and feasts (Canuto 2004: 44-47).

At El Raizal, Usulután pottery is found in dedicatory caches within patio structures that

are flanked by house mounds. Canuto (2004: 47) suggests that these deposits, despite their

association with households, were also the result of elite ritual behavior.

Schortman and Urban (2004: 323-324, 327-330) suggest that Copan may have been a

distributional node for Usulután pottery. They note that the overall affinity of Copan Usulután to

that found at the site of Chalchuapa is high, and that Usulután pottery is well represented

throughout the Copan Valley in a variety of vessel forms although not in small residential

complexes. Other evidence linking Copan to sites in the El Salvadoran and Guatemalan

highlands suggests that contact between the Copan Valley and sites to the west and southwest

may have been frequent, and propose that Copan received at least a portion of their Usulután

pottery from that direction, in turn distributing it to sites and regions in northwestern Honduras.

El Salvador

Santa Leticia

The site of Santa Leticia is located in the Department of Ahuachapan in southwestern El

Salvador. The site has a long history of investigation, having first been described in 1878 by

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Siméon Habel. Habel noted the presence of large stone idols and associated earthen mounds at

the site. Despite his discovery, no excavations were undertaken at the site for over a century,

although speculation about the now buried sculptures and whether they suggested links to other

regions was frequent. After nearly a century that yielded a single test pit of excavation, Demarest

initiated a program of systematic excavation at the site (Demarest 1986). Mapping of the site and

excavation of the sculptures, which Demarest and others refer to as pot-bellied monuments, was

followed by the excavation of a house platform, living floors and several large bell-shaped pits

(Demarest 1986: 11-14).

Operations at the site included the excavation of several large earthen mounds that

Demarest argues constitute a ceremonial zone at the site. The largest of these mounds is six

meters in height and dates to the Late Preclassic period (Figure 34). Additional units were dug to

uncover the extent of the surrounding village (Demarest 1986: 15-36).

Figure 34. Site map, Santa Leticia, El Salvador (Demarest 1986)

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The sequence of occupation at Santa Leticia begins about 500 B.C. and blossoms into a

full-fledged village by 100 B.C. Demarest interprets the construction of artificial terraces and

large earthen mounds lacking evidence for domestic activity as evidence for social complexity.

He argues that the potbellied monuments and temple-topped mounds likely represent a regional

ceremonial center.

Usulután pottery is present at Santa Leticia, first appearing as parts (14.4%) of the

Olocuitla and Jicalapa (7.1%) groups during the Chul Complex (400-100 B.C.). Usulután vessels

in the Olocuitla group include flaring walled bowls, which dominate (64.6%), hemispherical

bowls and straight walled bowls, all of which are manufactured with a fine light firing paste.

Usulután decoration within this group tends to be single lined (37.8%), although multiple parallel

lines (17.7%) and splotches (17%) are present as well. Single slipping comprises the majority of

the Usulután, although some double slipped sherds are present as well. The Jicalapa group

Usulután is characterized by thicker slips and a coarser paste that fires to a wider range of colors

than for Olocuitla vessels. The range of vessel types is slightly greater although shallow curved-

wall bowls constitute over half of the group’s identifiable sherds. The frequency of double

slipped vessels increases, and this is likely reflective of the use of a wider range of paste colors.

Izalco group Usulután pottery is found in contexts dating to the Kal phase (500-400 B.C.)

and Early Caynac phase (100 B.C. – AD 100). It should be noted that Izalco is absent from the

two of the domestic areas of the site and the highest frequency of Izalco Usulután was found in

close proximity to the potbellied sculptures, suggesting a restricted distribution. The Izalco

reported at Santa Leticia is single or ‘self’ slipped, and the vessel surface is polished or well

burnished. Resist lines of a ink to buff color are found against a buff to orange background.

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Large open basins with outflaring walls dominate the range of vessel forms, and vessel walls

tend to be rather thin.

The Usulután ceramics at Santa Leticia have been compared to Usulután found at a

number of other sites in the Southeastern Mesoamerica. Demarest argues that this Izalco

Usulután is likely a localized development from earlier Jicalapa and Olocuitla Usulutáns, despite

sharing characteristics with Izalco found at Chalchuapa (Demarest 1986: 130-131).

Chalchuapa

The site of Chalchuapa is located in the extreme western portion of El Salvador, a short

distance from the border with Guatemala. Located within the Valley of the Rio Paz, Chalchuapa

consists of a total of 58 large structures and an additional 87 structures less than 1 meter in

height. Excavation at the site began in the 1940’s, although the results of excavations remain

unpublished. Additional excavations were completed in the 1950’s by Alfred V. Kidder and

William Coe, with the data from those projects suggesting a Late Preclassic period of

occupation. A more thorough investigation of the site was undertaken by Sharer between 1966

and 1970, and included the mapping, surface surveys, excavation and analysis of data from six

defined mound groups and six additional areas that showed signs of habitation, but no mounds

over 1m in height. Occupation at the site begins with a single mound dating to the Rojn complex

(100-600 BC), with the site growing by leaps and bounds during the Nay complex (ca. 200 BC –

AD 0), staying relatively stagnant in terms of growth during the Ean complex (ca A.D. 0 – 300),

with reoccupation and expansion evident during the Lom (ca. A.D. 450-650), Wena (ca. A.D.

650-1300) and Baj (ca. A.D. 1300-1500) complexes.

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Despite this lengthy range of occupation, the periods of greatest interest to Sharer was the

Middle Preclassic, where pottery types and monument styles suggest an Olmec influence and the

Late Preclassic, during which the site’s growth and development was greatest (Sharer 1978a).

During the Kal complex during the Late Preclassic period (650 – 400 B.C.), Usulután

pottery begins to appear at the site with Puxtla Incised Usulután. This type comprises 1.6% of the

Puxtla Ceramic Group. Puxtla Incised Usulután is dominated by vertical-wall bowls of a medium

to fine buff colored paste. Vessel walls tend to be somewhat thick when compared to other types

in the complex, and resist decoration includes patterned lines and blotches, often joined by some

amount of incising. Sharer argues that this is representative of a localized development in

ceramic technology, and that the resist decoration on Usulután vessels developed at Chalchuapa

from attempts to control the patterning of orange-fired areas on cream wares that date to this

period. During the subsequent Chul complex (400 - 200 B.C.), Jicalapa Usulután comprises 6.6%

of the pottery by sherd quantity and is characterized by flaring walled, flat bottomed bowls and

shallow bowls. Pastes are somewhat variable, ranging from medium coarse and orange firing to

fine and light sandy buff. Sharer describes characteristic resist decoration similar to that for

Puxtla, albeit with less incidences of incision. The majority of sherds of this type appear to have

been achieved with a double slip technology (Sharer 1978b).

During the early (200 B.C. – AD 0) and late (0 – 200 AD) portions of the Caynac

complex , Usulután appears in its greatest numbers. A rare variant of Usulután appearing during

the early portion of the phase is Tepecoyo Fluted Usulután, which is characterized by a

distinctive orange and cream resist decoration scheme on the vessel exterior and a cream base

slipped interior. Vessel forms of this type are not surprisingly dominated by fluted vertical wall

bowl forms. Izalco Usulután appears in both portions of the Caynac complex at Chalchuapa, and

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constitutes its own ceramic group. Comprising 9.7% of the ceramics in the complex, Izalco

Usulután is described as exhibiting a low contrast Usulután decoration of salmon pink lines

contrasted against an orange area. The paste is described as usually fine and hard, and the vessel

surface is usually burnished or polished to a hard and durable finish. Composite-wall bowls with

flat or convex bases and direct or everted rims are frequent in this type, with a range of other

plate and bowl vessel types present as well. Unlike Jicalapa Usulután, Izalco shows no signs of

double slipping, and the base coloration appears to be a result of the natural firing color of the

clays used to manufacture these vessels. Sharer also notes a ‘fire-clouded’ variant of the vessel in

which the light colored lines fire to a near black and the orange fires to a darker, but still orange,

color. Lines of decoration dominate, many of which are grouped and parallel. Splotches of resist

decoration are also present.

The presence of Usulután at Chalchuapa ends with the Chilanga Ceramic Group during

the Vec ceramic complex (AD 200 – 400). Chilanga Usulután is defined by the addition of a red

slip or paint on top of an otherwise regular Usulután vessel. This group is extremely rare (.3% of

the complex) but Sharer argues they suggest similarities with the red ringed Usulután bowls

reported at Copan and Quelepa, raising the question of whether this shared type is the result of

independent invention, shared conventions of vessel decoration, or the movement of vessels.

Quelepa

The site of Quelepa is located 8 km northwest of the town of San Miguel in eastern El

Salvador. Quelepa stretches along a 1km portion of the Rio San Esteban, in a low lying, hot, and

highly agriculturally productive of the country. The site, the largest in El Salvador east of the

Lempa River, was first reported by Peccorini in 1913 and later excavated by Andrews. Quelepa

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consists of a number of large stone-faced earthen mounds, some of which are situated around a

well defined plaza. Two distinct mound groups are visible, the East Group and the West Group

(Fig. 35). The East group consists of several large earthen mounds constructed atop high

artificial terraces. The terraces appear to have been constructed primarily as a platform for living

structures and this portion of the site lacks plazas. The West group includes a large number of

smaller platforms, most of which are situated around a single court of plaza. Andrews suggests

that the differences in group planning suggest dual cultural influences at the site. While the

planned construction of mounds around a plaza in the West group suggests similarities with a

broad Mesoamerican tradition of site planning, the East Group suggests a lack of this affiliation

(Andrews 1976).

A series of test pits dug by Andrews suggest that occupation at the site began at the East

Group, and a combination of pottery caches and sherd scatters associated with house floors

suggests that occupation at the site began around 500 – 400 B.C. The first ceramic complex,

called Uapala, dates from this period of first occupation until A.D. 150. It is a fairly small

complex, with only two ware and three major ceramic groups represented. Comprising 59.9% of

this complex is Izalco Usulután, which is described by Andrews as a hard, thin pottery that is

well polished and bears wavy resist lines over an orange slip. The dominant vessel form is a

flaring-wall bowl with outturned or everted rims. Interior rim incision is common, as are

supports of various types. Usulután pottery continues to dominate through the Shila complex

(AD 150-600), with Tongolona Orange and Chaparrastique Red-on-orange comprising 62.2% of

the complex. While some of the characteristics of Izalco Usulután continue on these types, they

differ significantly in terms of paste and surface condition. The fine pastes of the Izalco

Usulutáns are largely absent, and a wider range of paste textures and colors appear. The surfaces

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of these later types are less polished, the execution of resist lines is less formal and splotches of

resist decoration in addition to or instead of lines increase. Red paint applied primarily to rims

but also to other portions of vessels appears during this phase as well, and this red painting is

often associated with an increase in incising.

Andrews points out the broad similarities in the ceramic complexes of Quelepa and

Chalchuapa, with many of the types appearing to be identical. Type-specific similarities,

including Izalco Usulután exist between Quelepa and Kaminaljuyu and Los Naranjos (Andrews

1976: 117).

Conclusion

This chapter has reviewed the Uapala ceramic sphere as formulated by Andrews.

The sites and regions within the sphere have been discussed with attention given to the contexts

in which Izalco Usulután and its variants have been found and their frequencies. Subsequent re-

formulations of the sphere by others based on this data have been summarized and some

shortcomings of the sphere have been discussed. The ceramic sphere is a useful way of framing

regional ceramic similarities and begins to bridge the gap between recognizing trends in ceramic

complexes and past behaviors. However, as this review has shown, a range of behaviors could

result in the stylistic similarities across a region leading to the recognition of a ceramic sphere.

Pottery offers unique challenges to those attempting to model behaviors of production,

distribution and consumption due to its ease of emulation and difficulty in sourcing. As the next

chapter will show, a common and effective way to distinguish specific patterns of production and

distribution within a ceramic sphere is through the use of compositional methods.

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Chapter 4 – INAA and Petrography

Introduction

This chapter outlines two of the methods used by the author to examine the Uapala

Ceramic Sphere, Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and petrographic analysis.

INAA has been effectively used in Mesoamerica to identify patterns of ceramic production and

distribution. A robust literature suggests that when INAA is applied appropriately to a well

designed sample set, clearly stated research hypotheses can be tested. Nevertheless, many INAA

studies incorporate petrographic analysis as a second method to compositionally characterize

ceramic pastes. The reason is that INAA is a bulk characterization method that examines the

paste of a ceramic sample compositionally. This paste may be the result of a mixture of clays, or

can be the end product of considerable manipulation to modify raw clays into a fireable product.

This manipulation can include tempering, levigation, hand sorting and other methods that add or

subtract material to raw clays. These modifications can result in a wide range of chemical

compositions for finished vessels produced from the same clay. Petrography provides a way to

assess the impacts of some of this manipulation by examining sherd samples under microscopy.

By examining thin sections of sherds the researcher can identify the addition of temper and other

modifications made to clays in the production of pottery.

In addition to these criticisms, INAA has recently come under attack from proponents of

petrography and others who argue that regional INAA studies suffer from a range of

methodological limitations (Flannery et al 2005, Stoltman et al 2005, Sharer et al 2006). They

argue that petrography is better suited to such large projects, providing more reliable data on

pottery production and distribution. These claims have been refuted by INAA practitioners, who

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argue that while petrography is a useful method and can be used in concert with INAA, it should

not be used as substitute method in place of INAA compositional studies. These arguments are

outlined in Chapter 5.

In light of these and other concerns my analysis evaluated both petrography and INAA to

determine the most appropriate method for identifying patterns of pottery production and

distribution within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. Petrography was conducted on a small number of

representative Usulután sherds using the methods discussed below to determine: 1) whether

petrography could be used to generate reliable compositional data on Usulután pottery, and 2)

second to identify any effects of clay manipulation during Usulután manufacture that could

potentially hinder the application of INAA. By employing both methods, this study addresses

many of the concerns raised by proponents of petrography and identifies INAA as the most

appropriate methodology to use in answering the questions of pottery production and distribution

raised in Chapter 1.

This chapter begins with a brief summary of petrographic analysis, discussing its

methodology and a few of its applications. This review of petrographic literature will show that

while it is a useful method for pottery in many regards, the fine pastes used in the production of

Usulután pottery diminishes its usefulness in characterizing this data set.

The chapter will then introduce INAA and the techniques used to generate compositional

data on ceramics and the methods used to identify patterns in the data. The chapter will then

discuss the history of INAA applications in Southeastern Mesoamerica from the 1960’s through

the 1990’s, showing how the methodology and its application have been developed and refined

during this period.

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History of Petrographic Analysis and Current Methodology

The birth of petrographic analysis can be traced to Anna Shepard’s studies of Rio Grande

ceramics in the 1930s (1936, 1942, 1965). Her analysis of ceramic pastes using microscopy

moved beyond mere paste description to the use of ceramics in other forms of interpretation.

Although her analysis is often cited, the techniques she used remained relatively unpracticed

until Stoltman’s study of Spring Hollow Incised pottery dating to the Early Woodland period in

the Upper Mississippi valley (Stoltman 1989). Stoltman’s work builds on earlier studies by

Chayes in which measurements of bounded areas of samples generated unbiased estimates of the

relative volumes of rock constituents (1954, 1956) and limited applications to archaeological

ceramics (Plog 1980, Hantman and Plog 1982 among others).

Stoltman used a polarizing microscope equipped with a measuring eyepiece with a cross

hair and a stage that allows a sample to be moved beneath the microscope in fixed increments to

argue that thinly cut sections from ceramic sherds could be systematically observed and the

character of their pastes summarized. Thirty-one slides were prepared from sherds of different

ceramic types considered to be part of the same ware, Levsen Stamped and Spring Hollow

Incised. Samples were analyzed from several localities in the Upper Mississippi Valley

(Stoltman 1989: 148).

These slides were moved in increments of 1mm across the microscope’s field of vision.

As the slides moved systematically across the stage, Stoltman assigned what he saw beneath the

crosshairs to one of five classes based on its appearance, size and composition: matrix, silt, sand,

grit temper, or void. When no grains were visible under microscopy, matrix was recorded. Small

grains under .0625mm in size were classified as silt, and grains larger than that were classified as

grit or sand, depending on their appearance. He also took note of the angularity of the grains,

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suggesting that this characteristic could help determine temper from naturally occurring

inclusions in the paste. At least 100 observations were made for each thin section, with an upper

limit of 200 point counts per sample. Following the tabulation of observations for each sample

and the generation of class percentages, the amounts of matrix, sand and grit were plotted on a

one-dimensional equilateral triangle, with each angle of the triangle representing one observation

class. In plotting each sample based on mineralogical observations, Stoltman hoped to identify

‘zones’ in which mineralogically similar sherds could be expected to reside.

Stoltman compared the frequencies for all three paste classes for each sample using a t-

test, and found that there were significant differences depending on the locality in which the

sherd was excavated. Stoltman argued this pattern suggested that the regional ware argued for

the sites he was sampling should be redefined. Sherds from non-Linn ware types were then

examined using the same methodology. Instead of the data supporting a regional ware-based

pattern of similarities in paste composition, the additional data supported locality-specific

patterns of production.

Slight modifications to his methodology were published in a paper describing the

application of petrography methods to two Middle Mississippian-contact sites in the upper

Mississippi Valley region (Stoltman 1991). While the point counting under microscopy remained

unchanged, Stoltman used the quantitative data derived from his analysis to draw a distinction

between body and paste. Stoltman defines body as the bulk composition of a ceramic vessel,

including clays and temper, and paste, and defines paste as the aggregate of natural materials, i.e.

clays and larger mineral inclusion, to which temper was later added. After point counting, the

data for body and paste were separated, and plots for each were generated. By separating the two

categories and plotting them separately, Stoltman argued that he was taking into account the

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independent origins of the clays and tempers, something which chemical compositional methods

mutes through bulk characterization.

Of added importance in this article is Stoltman’s discussion of the applicability of

petrographic analysis, where he admits that petrography is not well suited to fine paste ceramics.

He states that :

‘In some instances true temper may not be present (e.g., self-tempered clays or clays that

have been subjected to various refining methods to remove coarser inclusions or the

temper may not be identifiable as such (some sand tempers). In such cases body cannot

be identified reliability. These instances do not vitiate the method, but simply constitute

inappropriate circumstances for its full application’ (Stoltman 1991: 117).

Stoltman tested his refined methodology in a second study examining differences

between black-on-white and plain vessels dating to the Tesgi phase (A.D. 1250-1300) from two

sites in the Kayenta region of north-central Arizona (Stoltman et al 1992). Using the same

methodology, Stoltman observed differences in the clay pastes used for each type based on an

increased amount of sand temper used in the manufacture of plain vessels. A chemical analysis

using an acid-extraction method conducted by Burton and Haas identified 12 elemental

concentrations (Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sr, Ti and Zn). Using a principal components

analysis on these data, the authors found the chemical patterns to confirm the petrographic data.

The authors argued that because the two methods proved to be complementary, the utility

of petrographic analysis in the characterization of pottery was confirmed. They cautioned,

however, that the true strength of petrographic analysis was in the characterization of the temper

used in pottery manufacture. Because amounts of temper comprise one of three axes of variation

examined by petrography, samples that are temperless or have very little temper would make

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sample differentiation with petrographic analysis difficult. Chemical analyses are best suited for

characterization of clays that were minimally tempered. Using a dual approach, the authors

argued, would provide different and complementary perspectives on the same data set. These

perspectives would be more powerful in the identification of patterns of pottery production than

chemical or petrographic analyses alone.

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis: History and Methodology

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) is a nuclear analytical technique for

measuring the concentrations of large number of elements in a single sample and can be applied

to the analysis of a wide variety of sample types. INAA involves exposing the sample (along

with prepared standards and appropriate quality control materials) to a field of neutrons. This

exposure causes most of the elements within the sample to become radioactive. These

radioactive elements decay according to their elemental half-lives and each element emits a

known amount of energy when it decays. The energy of the radioactive emission allows

identification of the element because the intensity of emission is proportional to the mass of that

element. The energies given off by each radioactive element as it decays is detected using a

spectrometer. These energies, expressed as gamma rays, are recorded and tabulated and counts of

each element that is recorded are made. INAA is a highly sensitive and precise technique,

allowing for amounts as small as parts per million to be recorded. When applied to ceramic or

clay samples, their chemical composition is characterized using the amounts of several elements.

This combination of different elemental amounts produces a signature profile that can then be

used to compare that sample to other pottery samples or clays stored in a compositional database.

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The application of INAA to ceramics in Mesoamerica has a long history. From the

earliest days of the science, it has been used as a method to answer questions of pottery

provenience, clay resource exploitation, trade and exchange, and the movement of peoples from

one site to another. This literature review will focus on the application of INAA throughout

southern Mesoamerica and what is commonly termed ‘the southern Maya periphery’, with

examples of INAA application extending as far south as Nicaragua. For the most part, studies

using INAA in central Mexico and regions northward will be omitted, unless their impact on

INAA studies was significant. This review will be constrained temporally to the Formative and

Early Classic periods; Classic Maya ceramic studies will not be included here with the exception

of Copador ceramics, which is illustrative of both fine paste ceramic studies and includes sites

within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere.

The purpose of this review is threefold: first, to bring to light commonalities among

studies in terms of methodology and theory; second, to discern any common limitations to the

application of INAA to ceramics in this region, and third, to review the accumulated knowledge

on ceramic production, distribution and consumption of fine paste ceramics in this geographic

area. Because the application of INAA has a long history, the publications reviewed here offer

some insight to the development of INAA itself. With this in mind, this literature review will be

presented chronologically.

The Early Years: 1960’s and 1970’s

One of the first applications of INAA in Mesoamerica was conducted by Bennyhoff and

Heizer (1965). In an attempt to discern the provenience of sherds from Cuicuilco and

Teotihuacan and determine the presence or absence of ceramic trade in the region, Bennyhoff

and Heizer examined a total of 11 sherds using INAA following a preliminary petrographic

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analysis of two of the sherds. Examining only the manganese content of the sherds through

irradiation and subsequent statistical analysis, the authors argued that their study had identified

two distinct clay sources, one at Cuicuilco and one at Teotihuacan, and that vessels manufactured

at Teotihuacan were found in Cuicuilco contexts, suggesting ceramic trade within the Valley of

Mexico (Bennyhoff and Heizer 1965: 348-9).

The INAA research of Bennyhoff and Heizer was called into question by Anna O.

Shepard a year later, who specifically argued that INAA didn’t effectively answer the research

questions at hand. Shepard objected to the inclusion of sherds that were not examined

petrographically, suggesting that all sherds that are included in such studies should undergo at

least a preliminary petrographic examination. Questions were also raised as to the use of

manganese concentrations, with Shepard asking whether the manganese amounts reflected

differences in the clay paste used or the temper that was added to the paste during vessel

construction. The issue of temper as a possible source of spurious results was raised, with

Shepard pointing out that if discerning distinct clays are the goal of the characterization process

then the effects of temper could have a negative effect on that process. Additionally, Shepard

argued that the issue of post-discard alteration of the sherds had not been considered, raising the

possibility that such alterations could have effects on the chemical compositions of the sherds

themselves due to extensive leaching or other natural depositional processes. Finally, the reliance

on a single element in the characterization of clay pastes was questioned, with Shepard

suggesting that a single element could hardly have the explanational value the original authors

were hoping for (Shepard 1966: 870-871).

In an attempt to further the work of Bennyhoff and Heizer’s research, Shepard presented

the results of additional petrographic analysis, showing that it was unlikely that temper factored

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into the manganese concentrations in this case. Shepard, however, does present additional

evidence suggesting that manganese concentrations in clay pastes can be highly variable from

sherd to sherd, making this element a poor one for use in INAA applications. In her conclusions,

Shepard argued for less reliance on a single application such as INAA and more reliance on a

series of petrographic and chemical analyses that provide the opportunity for multiple lines of

supporting evidence (Shepard 1966: 871).

Applications of INAA to answer research questions involving the identification of

sources and investigations of possible ceramic exchange continued with an examination of Maya

Fine Orange pottery by Sayre and Chan (1971). In this study, samples were studied from similar

contexts at the sites of Seibal, Altar de Sacrificios, Kixpek, Uaxactun, Chichen Itza, El Cayo,

San Jose, Piedras Negras, Nuevas Esperenza, and Tabasco to identify regional patterns in

ceramic paste characterization and to identify loci of production in a broad regional survey.

Sayre and Chan cited unpublished work that characterized Fine Orange sherds excavated at

Kixpek and Piedras Negras as chemically similar, which further showed that utilitarian wares at

Piedras Negras were chemically distinct from the Fine Orange wares. They sought to increase

the scope of the current studies by including multiple sites in their survey, testing chemical

composition using methods that recorded more elements than had been previously used, and

finally, by increasing the sample sizes at each site, to accommodate a representative sample of

both utilitarian (supposedly locally made at each site) and Fine Orange (supposedly traded)

wares. It was thought that by employing these methods a definitive characterization of the Fine

Orange and utilitarian wares at each site could be developed, and that the results of these

characterization studies would effectively answer research questions regarding loci of production

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of Fine Orange and the possible movement of ceramics from one site to another (Sayre and Chan

1971: 165-6).

Sherds were prepared for analysis without any apparent preliminary petrographic

examination, with nine elements being counted and incorporated into the statistical analysis

following activation. Included in this spectrum was manganese, which Shepard suggested was an

untrustworthy element when examining finely tempered wares in the Valley of Mexico. The

sample size for each site averaged ten and totaled 45 sherds, with a combination of local

utilitarian wares and Fine Orange wares being sampled for each site (Sayre and Chan 1971: 168-

9).

Nine elements were counted and elemental concentrations were examined using a

statistical analysis that included measures of statistical distance between data points. Sayre and

Chan concluded that chemical characterization had identified a more or less uniform group

comprising all of the Fine Orange sherds. The uniformity of paste composition was used to

suggest a single source and uniform vessel production at that site. Further, they found that

utilitarian wares from each site were: 1) chemically different from Fine Orange samples at all

sites, and 2) highly scattered, suggesting a wide array of local paste utilization (Sayre and Chan

1971: 172-4). Finally, the researchers suggest that a high level of similarity between utilitarian

pastes at Altar de Sacrificios and the Fine Orange group suggests the possibility of centralized

production for Fine Orange ceramics. For reasons unstated, Sayre and Chan point out that more

research was required in the future to confirm this possibility.

In their conclusion and an attached commentary by Sabloff (1971), the researchers

conclude that the sites studied in the survey were connected through a trade network of Fine

Orange ceramics. It appears that a single unknown site produced the Fine Orange wares found at

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each of the sites that were studied, exporting its wares throughout a wide geographical area.

Members in this network include sites as far west as Piedras Negras in Guatemala and the site of

Carlos Greene in Mexico, sites as north as Chichen Itza, sites as far east as El Cayo and San Jose

in Belize, and sites as far south as Kixpek in central Guatemala (Sayre and Chan 1971: 167).

Soon afterwards, Hammond et al (1976) furthered the trend of fine paste studies with a

study of the ceramics at Lubaantun, Belize. Their research focused on the self-sufficiency of

Lubaantun for the manufacture of both utilitarian and fine paste ceramics. Hammond et al

applied INAA to a wide array of ceramic types, including both the ubiquitous utilitarian wares

they thought were most likely to have been locally manufactured and the fine paste serving

vessels that were ‘obvious import(s)’ (Hammond et al 1976.: 147). Additionally, material

excavated from Barton Ramie and the nearby site of Pusilha were included to test possible

relationships between Barton Ramie and Lubaantun. At the center of their research question was

the testing of possible linkages between Lubaantun and the rest of the Maya lowlands, already

shown to have been participating in a regional exchange network of fine paste ceramics

(Hammond et al 1976: 147). Also included in the study was a collection of locally and regionally

drawn clay samples from contemporary potting communities, one of the first attempts to do so in

Mesoamerica with regards to INAA studies. A total of 91 samples were tested in the study,

which continued the trend of higher sample sizes in such studies (Hammond et al 1976: 150-

151).

During the irradiation of the samples, a spectrum of 21 elements was counted. Using a

cluster analysis, several clusters representing sherds of similar elemental composition were

identified. The dendrogram produced by the cluster analysis demonstrated a high level of intra-

type homogeneity, with most if not all of the samples from a ceramic type clustering together

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compositionally (Hammond et al 1976: 156). Multidimensional scaling was used to discern the

relationships between the clusters that had been identified (Hammond et al 1976: 162). The

results of the scaling provided the following four conclusions: first, local clays collected

throughout the Lubaantun area were highly homogeneous, providing a good measure of local

clay character that could effectively be compared to sherds of an unknown origin. Second,

comparison of the Lubaantun reference group to coarse ware utilitarian sherds suggested that

utilitarian vessels were indeed of local manufacture. Third, the utilitarian fine paste types that

were thought a priori to have been locally manufactured were indeed statistically similar to local

clays that were sampled. Fourth, a small group of sherds failed to cluster significantly with any

of the raw clays or the other locally made ceramic types being sampled. Sherds in this group

were thought to be imports from portions of the Belize and Pasion valleys based on similarities

in paste, temper, form, slip and other non-chemical attributes. This analysis suggested that

despite the fine-paste designation, the majority of these vessel types were manufactured locally.

Of these fine paste types excavated at Lubaantun, some were found to have been manufactured

locally, some were found to have been manufactured a short distance from sites up river, and a

few were found to have chemical signatures for the neighboring site of Pusilha, suggesting trade

between the two sites (Hammond et al 1976: 166-167).

While the inclusion of local clay samples represents a step forward in the application of

INAA to these kinds of research problems, little attention was given to the temper that was

sometimes added to utilitarian wares. Without a consideration of the temper used, the possibility

remains that the correlations between the utilitarian wares and the local clays could be spurious

(Shepard 1966: 871).

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The failure to fully integrate the existing data on fine ware ceramics from other sites

reflects the early date of these studies. As a result, a portion of the sherds collected in this study

were unassigned. A more modern study would have turned to existing databases to find some

level of correlation between the unassigned sherds in this study and those from other studies of

fine paste ceramics. Rather than suggesting a locus of production based on visual appearance, a

statistical link could have been forged between the unassigned sherds at Lubaantun and other

compositional reference groups.

In 1978, a study was undertaken by Wetherington (1978) concerned with the ceramics of

the Formative and Classic period site of Kaminaljuyu, located in the Valley of Guatemala, As

part of the results of that study, a chapter was written by Arnold et al dedicated to a study of

contemporary potting communities in the area to provide a possible benchmark for ongoing

compositional studies in the region and at the site. A total of 273 samples were taken from raw

materials and manufactured pottery at three large potting communities in the vicinity of

Kaminaljuyu, Chinautla, Sacojito and Duranzo, and at three smaller potting communities, Mixco,

Sacoj, and Cakchiquel. The researchers wanted to observe and test the product resulting from the

acquisition of ‘white’ clays, the addition of locally available tempers, and the firing of the

vessels using traditional means (Wetherington 1978: 551).

INAA was applied using a twelve element spectrum to the samples in order to ascertain

the full range of compositional profiles reflecting differences in base ceramic paste, added

temper, and firing techniques. Three major hypotheses were tested. First, was the trace element

composition of the clays being used similar to the composition of the pots it produced? Results

of INAA application showed that temper could possibly change the chemical composition of the

vessels being produced (Wetherington 1978: 565). Second, they sought to test the hypothesis that

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non-plastics, or temper, added to the clays were completely separate compositionally to the base

clays comprising the paste. A comparison of the raw clays to the temper agents found that the

temper agents did have many of the same chemical characteristics as the paste, and so the

addition of temper may have caused the discrepancies that resulted in the rejection of the first

hypothesis. The third hypothesis was that the temper composition, although not found to be

similar to the composition of raw clays, could be the same composition as the fired pottery.

Support of this hypothesis would suggest that compositional profiles of fired pots reflected the

temper as much as it did the paste of the vessel.

This ethnoarchaeological study supported the contention that INAA compositional

studies reflected both paste chemical composition and temper chemical composition. An

adequate study of both materials is required to correlate the finished product profile with the raw

clays used to designate compositional profiles. Additional attention must be given to the ratios of

different elements in both temper and clays in order to deal with the ‘noise’ introduced by temper

and successfully determine the paste characteristics from different potting communities

(Wetherington 1978: 571-2).

The 1980’s

The 1980’s represented a fluorescence in the application of INAA in Mesoamerica, a

time in which more studies on theory, methodology and research results were published than in

the previous two decades combined. The advancements in INAA application that were made

during the previous two decades were recognized and built upon, a reflection of the mature

nature of the discipline.

One important study in the early 1980’s was a study of resource procurement zones and

ceramic exchange in the Palenque region of Mexico. This study used INAA to identify all the

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locally available clays in the Palenque macroregion that were utilized in the production of

Classic period ceramics excavated at Palenque and neighboring sites. The study adopted a broad

geographic approach, recognizing that ‘suitable clays may occur at a number of localities within

a region’ and the importance of examining the possible ‘failure of a community to utilize

available clays or to exchange locally manufactured ceramics’ (Rands and Bishop 1980:19). An

important a priori assumption in this study was that ceramic exchange can take place on different

levels, locally, macro-regionally, and at long distances. In order to understand the complete

picture of resource exploitation, production and exchange, one needs to employ analysis at

multiple geographic levels, investigating all of the procurement opportunities available both to

pottery producers and consumers. (Rands and Bishop 1980: 19-20).

Chemical characteristics of ‘local’ clays were generated, creating four compositional

‘regions’ using sherd samples from ubiquitous wares that were thought to have been

manufactured from local clays at each site. Possible noise introduced by temper was discounted

through petrographic analysis, which showed that temper was not a significant factor in the

characterization of the sherds. By comparing the numbers of sherds at each site from each of the

four regions, the study was able to comment on the level of region to region ceramic movement

(Rands and Bishop 1980: 22-23).

The results of their studies allowed the authors to make several comments on the

production and distribution of ceramics in the Palenque region. It appears that Palenque

benefited from the incoming trade of pottery from different zones in the Palenque region.

Conversely, little pottery was manufactured locally at Palenque and distributed throughout the

surrounding region, indicating a unidirectionality of ceramic trade. Further, one of the four

regions of ceramic production was identified as contributing a high amount of pottery to the

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assemblage at the site of Palenque. Called ‘the plains’ by the authors, this region is poorly

identified in the study and neither maps nor geographic details of where the ‘plains’ is located is

mentioned (Rands and Bishop 1980: 41-42).

Breaking down the data set into vessel forms suggests that regions had some

specialization in the vessel forms imported to Palenque. Finally, these patterns of resource

exploitation and movement of pottery to Palenque show considerable stability over time, as

sherds from contexts throughout the Late Classic show the same patterns of production and

distribution (Rands and Bishop 1980: 42).

This study is important because it was an advancement over the local vs. long distance

ware dichotomy that was prevalent in previous studies, with the identification of both local and

long distance pottery production and distribution being a research focus from the very beginning

of the study. Additionally, this study represents one of the first integrations of temper studies in

its analysis. Whereas earlier studies either focused on either pottery on the one hand or local clay

signatures in the form of large utilitarian vessels or clays and temper on the other, this study

attempted to deal with both components.

Despite these advances, the identification of resource procurement zones is poorly

explained, and the choice to use large utilitarian vessel sherds as examples of local pottery may

be presumptuous in light of their conclusions showing a movement of these utilitarian wares

throughout the region. Instead the investigation of local raw materials may have been more

productive.

By 1984, applications of INAA to answer questions of production and distribution of

ceramics stretched southward into Nicaragua and Costa Rica with a study of Nicoya polychrome

ceramics by Jane Stevenson Day (1984). During the period from AD 1000 to AD 1550, changes

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in the technical and iconographical aspects of pottery from two regions showed an increasing

level of similarity between the Pacific coast of Nicaragua and sites along the Tempisque drainage

in Costa Rica.

In addition to the shared technology and iconography between these two regions, the

existence of a poor imitation of Nicoya polychrome became more and more pronounced at sites

in the Tempisque region. These ceramic developments pointed to the existence of trade between

the two regions. Pottery originating outside the Tempisque region was being imported for local

consumption and was supplemented by local attempts to manufacture pottery with the same

stylistic and technological characteristics (Day 1984: 189-190).

Day examined three sets of ceramics in an attempt to support or refute these apparent

patterns based on visual examination of the ceramic record. The first was excavated from

contexts throughout the region that dated to an early period prior to the suggested convergence of

ceramic traditions in the region. This group would supposedly define the regionally specific

compositional reference groups for comparison with later sherds. The second set included sherds

of Vallejo Polychrome Ceramics, the proposed traded and imitated ceramic ware in the region.

This type that appears in great numbers in the Rivas/Lakes region of Nicaragua and in lesser

amounts in portions of Costa Rica, suggesting a priori a Nicaraguan locus of production. The

third set is comprised of sherds from the suggested copied versions of this ware, called Filadelfia

Ware, which appears primarily in portions of Costa Rica.

Application of INAA confirmed that by the late Prehistoric period, Vallejo polychrome

pottery manufactured in Nicaragua was imported to parts of Costa Rica, and that the demand for

this ware could not be met by trade alone. As a result, local ‘knock-off’ wares similar in

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iconography but dissimilar in paste composition were produced to fulfill the total demand for this

ceramic (Day 1984: 191-192).

Although this article represents the first of its kind for the southern reaches of

Mesoamerica, it had three drawbacks: 1) there were no attempts to confirm the local signatures

of ceramic wares through the testing of clay samples, 2) there was no consideration of temper

given in the study, and 3) the provenience of the sherds analyzed was not given. This study also

assumes that clay exploitation does not change over time, with the same clays used during a

period prior to the period of ceramic exchange being used to formulate region specific clay

signatures. Further, the elemental spectrum used to characterize the sherd paste was not specified

and finally, the inclusion of the early polychrome sherds in the initial research design was not

integrated in the final conclusions of the author. Although this study represents a major step

forward in the discussion of exchange in the region, its methodology is poorly reported and may

have impacted its results and interpretations.

The trend of INAA applications in ceramics research continued with the publication of a

study examining ceramic production in Classic period Honduras (Beaudry et al 1988). INAA

was applied to the ‘Bold Geometric polychrome’ assemblages at sites in the El Cajon and Sula

Valley regions of Honduras. A sample of 130 stylistically similar sherds with varying

technological attributes were tested from both regions with the research objective of testing the

possibility of a site in the El Cajon region as the locus of production for this particular ceramic

type. Additionally, ‘wasters’, or misfired sherds, from contexts at the site of Salitron Viejo in the

El Cajon region were tested as control specimens, with the wasters tested in order to provide a

measure of what local wares produced in the El Cajon region looked like chemically (Beaudry et

al 1988: 102).

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Following the generation of chemical composition profiles for each sherd, the samples

were analyzed and placed in reference units based on a 14-element spectrum. Eighty of the 130

sherds analyzed clustered based on this compositional data. Almost three-fourths of the Salitron

Viejo sherds from the El Cajon region were successfully placed into three of the four

compositional clusters. These clusters were interpreted to represent local manufacture, with the

non-grouped sherds representing either vessels that were manufactured locally out of pastes that

were identified as not local, or through foreign manufacture and importation (Beaudry et al 1988:

110).

Further, sherds from vessels excavated in the Sula Valley grouped with the El Cajon

samples, suggesting that at least a portion of the ceramic assemblage for sites in the Sula Valley

region was comprised of El Cajon region imports (Beaudry et al 1988: 112).

This study represents a major step forward in the analysis of Honduran ceramics, moving

from stylistically-based considerations of production and exchange to chemically determined

conclusions. One shortcoming of the study was a general lack of consideration for the temper

used in the manufacture of the vessels. While the El Cajon polychromes are described as being

‘fine paste’ (Beaudry et al 1988: 112), with the assumption being that fine paste ceramics have

little introduced temper noise, some of the Sula Valley sherds were not as finely tempered. The

inclusion of these lesser-tempered sherds might warrant more discussion of temper issues than

was provided here.

Another regional study of fine-paste ceramics in southern Mesoamerica using INAA is a

detailed study of Copador ware and related pottery types found throughout the ‘Southeast Maya

Area’ (Bishop et. al. 1986). Copador is a highly distinguishable cream-paste ceramic ware found

in Late Classic contexts in a number of regions. These include: the Rio Copan Zone in western

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Honduras, the Middle and Lower Motagua Valley in Guatemala, and Western and West-Central

El Salvador. Stylistic analysis showed a fairly restricted range of decorative techniques, which

was inferred to mean specialized production and widespread distribution of the type throughout

the southern portion of the Maya area. It was thought that a single locus of production existed for

Copador ceramics. Copan was hypothesized as the production locus based on the sheer number

of sherds excavated from the Rio Copan region (Bishop et al 1986: 144).

In order to test this hypothesis and understand regional distribution of these ceramics,

sherd samples of Copador ware and related Gualpopa and Chilanga types were tested using

INAA. Consideration of possible noise from temper was dismissed due to the very low levels of

temper visible in the paste prior to INAA testing. Each of the sherds was tested for group

membership using a 15 element spectrum and Euclidian distance measures. The three groups that

were formed from the data reflected ‘local’ pastes for three broad regional categories. The

‘Copan focus’ group represented pottery manufactured in the Copan region. Seventy-one the 108

samples excavated from the Copan Valley and the Rio Amarillo areas, both in Western

Honduras, grouped together in the ‘Copan Focus’ group. The rest of the sample population for

this region was so heterogeneous as to defy grouping attempts.

Twenty-seven of the 75 samples excavated from western and west-central El Salvador

formed a distinct group, which was determined to represent locally available resources. Thirty-

five of the remaining El Salvadoran samples grouped with the ‘Copan Focus’ group, signifying

some level of ceramic trade between the two regions. Of these 35 traded sherds, 20 were

Copador (Bishop et al 1986: 159-160).

Fourteen of the 35 samples taken from sites in the Motagua Valley region of Guatemala

grouped together in what was determined to be a Motagua region reference group. Of the rest of

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the samples, 11 grouped with the Copan focus group, suggesting some level of ceramic exchange

from the Copan region to the Motagua Valley (Bishop et al 1986: 160).

Their conclusion from this research was that the Copan region was the manufacturer of

Copador ceramics for export to sites in Guatemala and El Salvador. Further, the statistical

grouping of the Copan Focus group was very tight, suggesting a level of specialization that

included the specific exploitation of a specific clay resource or multiple resources of similar

composition. Further, the tight grouping of non-Copan Focus pastes in the Motagua and El

Salvadoran regions suggests that local imitation ware was also restrictively manufactured,

perhaps even at the household level (Bishop et al 1986: 164-5).

A study by Demarest and Sharer (1986) on late Preclassic ceramics along the southeast

Maya periphery represented one of the early attempts to integrate INAA research with ceramic

studies dealing with differing levels and forms of cultural interaction. In a comparison of the

ceramic taxonomies at sites in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras the researchers found that

in many cases what was thought to have been separate wares representing site or subregional

ceramic traditions was instead one ware of a similar style and manufacture. These newly

identified commonalities suggested broad integrated cultural traditions of a regional scale.

An example of this would be the supposed different Usulután types at Kaminaljuyu and

Monte Alto in Guatemala (Demarest and Sharer 1986: 203). A close inspection by the authors of

the supposed Kaminaljuyu-specific ceramic tradition (Wetherington 1978) showed that in terms

of surface treatment, appearance, and apparent techniques of manufacture, the Kaminaljuyu

Usulután is identical to those found throughout western El Salvador.

By adopting a regional perspective, the researchers sought to delineate the differences

between ceramic traditions and delineate visible ceramic spheres where applicable. Two spheres

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were noted for western El Salvador and portions of Guatemala. One was called the Providencia

Ceramic Sphere (ca. 400-100 B.C.), which included a number of fine wares, including Usulután

and Mirador Red wares. Changes in the traditions over time suggested a second, late sphere, the

Miraflores sphere (ca. 100 B.C. – AD 250) which again included Usulután and Mirador red

wares, albeit different varieties of these broad types (Demarest and Sharer 1986: 206-7).

These two ceramic spheres include the sites of Chalchuapa, Santa Leticia, Antiquisaya,

Kaminaljuyu, and Monte Alto, with each site sharing a high percentage of the diagnostic sphere

types (Demarest and Sharer 1986: 211). The influence of the sites in this ceramic sphere can be

seen outside the sphere’s geographic boundaries, as types such as Izalco Usulután that constitute

the Miraflores and Providencia spheres are found in eastern El Salvador and western Honduras.

The number of similar types in these regions, however, are not significant enough to include

them in the ceramic sphere, and are instead considered on the periphery of the peripheral ceramic

sphere (Demarest and Sharer 1986: 213). Early reports of INAA research on ceramics in the

proposed sphere reached an interesting conclusion: the types found in the ceramic sphere

reflected shared knowledge of styles, appearance and manufacturing techniques, and not large

exchange networks. The chemical compositions of fine red, fine orange and black-brown vessels,

showed that each sub-region produced their own pottery, with no significant correlations

between the chemical compositions of vessels found in different subregions (Demarest and

Sharer 1986: 219).

This study represents a further advance for INAA applications. With a body of research

to draw upon, wider discussions of the meaning of compositional patterns were offered.

Researchers sought to move beyond the site- or subregion-specific level of analysis prevalent in

the earlier years of INAA research. Instead, the broader implications of site specific or

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subregional works on regions or multiple regions were offered. Steps were taken towards a

higher level of integration of research and a better understanding of the broad cultural processes

that were going on economically and socially along the southeastern Mesoamerican periphery.

In the late 1980’s, a series of publications appeared chronicling attempts by a number of

researchers to apply INAA to Guatemalan ceramics in the hope of understanding patterns of

production and distribution (Bishop et al 1986, Bishop and Demarest 1986, Bishop et al 1989,

Neff et al 1988, Neff 1989). The INAA expertise in each of these projects was provided by either

Hector Neff and Ronald Bishop. A summary article published in 1989 by these two along with

Frederick Bove, (Neff et al 1989) provided an overview and interpretation of the existing data.

Drawing upon the analysis of 1166 ceramic and raw clay specimens from the Pacific

coastal plain and the Valley of Guatemala, this work attempted to summarize what was known

about loci of production, distribution and exchange of ceramics along the Pacific slope of

Guatemala during the Late Preclassic and Late Classic periods. Recognizing there were temporal

gaps, the authors sought to provide the most in-depth analysis during these periods, with only

tentative inferences of developmental trends for the Early and Middle Preclassic periods (Neff et

al 1989: 97).

The methods used in the analysis were the same for all the sherds and clays sampled,

having been processed in the same lab (MURR) following the same protocol. In each study, a

fourteen element spectrum was examined, and group designations were determined using this

spectrum. Reference groups called ‘paste compositional reference units’ or ‘PCRUs’ were

formed through a statistical analysis of the existing data, providing geographic information that

resulted in site specific regional patterns of ceramic production. It was thought that an accurate

compositional pattern for locally manufactured pottery in each region could be understood by

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sampling a number of sherds and clays from the area representing one depositional context.

Further, after the generation of regional patterns, site-specific patterns within a regional system

could be understood (Neff et al 1989: 98-99).

The results indicated a level of pottery manufacture self-sufficiency. In the event that

sherds sampled from a site did not match the proposed PCRU for that site or region, an attempt

was made to match the unassigned sherds to any of the other generated PCRU’s in the database.

Assignment of the sherds to another PCRU would then indicate the movement of vessels from

the PCRU to the locus of deposition. If unassigned sherds did not correspond with any known

PCRU’s in the sample database, it was assumed to represent a new clay source from either local

deposits or pottery manufactured at a distant site (Neff et al 1989: 100).

For the Early Formative, a sample of utilitarian sherds were tested from sites in the

Escuintla region. Local production was found to dominate here, with pots being made from clays

that were within10km of the final point of deposition.

During the Middle through Terminal Formative periods, local production of domestic

wares continued, although INAA revealed the beginnings of localized exchange in Guatemala. A

series of specific wares were found to be made at several production centers and exchanged to

nearby sites. While long distance trade appears to have been largely absent, ceramic traditions

expanded to include the wares produced by neighboring sites within their own particular region

of Guatemala. In these cases, specific wares were produced in specific places, with sites in a

region collecting a smattering of pottery of different types from each specialized production

center. Further, this exchange was largely directional, with sites in the highlands producing pots

that generally flowed towards the Guatemalan coast (Neff et al 1989: 104-5).

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The Classic period in Guatemala was characterized by INAA as a period in which

ceramic exchange became more widespread and included sites at a greater distance than in

previous periods. In several cases, ceramics from sites in Guatemala were found to have

originated in regions up to 100 km away. Again, the general pattern is that pottery produced in

the Guatemalan highlands radiated outwards, with a large amount of ceramic material being

traded towards the Pacific coast. In another continuation of earlier trends, specific wares appear

to have been produced and traded out of specific production sites, with the diverse assemblages

of the Pacific coast sites reflecting a number of sites combining specialized production and

exchange of single wares (Neff et al 1989: 106-7).

Finally, the Early Postclassic is characterized by a general end to specialized ceramic

production and exchange. At several sites in the highland regions, previously flourishing ceramic

specialization ends, with local production and consumption of wares returning (Neff et al 1989:

107).

Thanks to the development a large ceramic compositional database, researchers from

outside Guatemala were able to integrate their research from outside the region, testing possible

movement of ceramic material from Guatemala to other regions, or the movement of materials

from these outlying regions to sites within the Guatemalan study area. One such study was done

by Bishop, Demarest and Sharer (1989), who attempted to discern ceramic production and

consumption patterns during the Late Preclassic period in five regions: western El Salvador,

central El Salvador, eastern El Salvador, highland Guatemala, western Honduras (Bishop et al

1989: 135)

The researchers noticed stylistic and formal patterning between these five regions, noting

high levels of similarity in surface decoration, vessel form and paste characteristics. There were

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many cases of stylistic similarity that included multiple modes of surface decoration

strengthening the likelihood of some level of interaction, whether by communication or

exchange (Demarest and Sharer 1989: 135-6).

Compositional analyses of 130 sherds from these five regions was undertaken, with one

fundamental research question in mind: did the high levels of stylistic similarity between the

ceramic assemblages in these five regions represent a shared body of ideas or did this shared

sense of style represent intense economic interaction? (Demarest and Sharer 1989: 138-9) A ten

element spectrum was used in the construction of compositional profiles for each sample and

group membership was assigned within 95% confidence intervals. Following statistical analysis

for the data, it was found that only a very small number of the total sample count could not be

placed within a regional cluster, and that the clusters for each site were very homogeneous. This

tight clustering of the sherds suggested that although there was a fairly high level of stylistic

similarity across a wide geographical region, the exchange of ceramics from one region to the

other was likely not a cause for these broad stylistic patterns (Demarest and Sharer 1989: 144).

This integrative approach built on the database-generating studies of the previous decade

and represents a major step forward in INAA research. The development of a database of

compositional references from which to compare unknown samples provides researchers with a

powerful tool to identify ceramic exchange and regional and trans-regional distribution patterns.

As the rest of this review will show, from the late 1980’s onward, researchers actively sought to

integrate their samples into some regional database whenever possible, taking advantage of the

information available to them in the understanding of their own particular research questions.

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The 1990’s

The application of INAA to questions of production and distribution of ceramics

flourished in the 1990’s, as researchers applied INAA to familiarly-themed questions, integrating

their research to established databases, fine tuning methodology, and conducting more thorough

research than seen in previous decades. Again, a small number of researchers were at the

forefront of this research: Hector Neff, director of the Research Reactor Facility at the University

of Missouri and Ronald Bishop, director of the Conservation Analytical Laboratory at the

Smithsonian Institution. These two researchers participated in most of the projects involving

INAA in Mesoamerica during the 1990’s and both stressed the importance of integrating new

INAA data with existing databases and sharing data between labs. This cooperation fostered

INAA research in Mesoamerica as much as any methodological advance and its importance

cannot be understated.

Research in Guatemala continued with a paper by Neff, Bishop and Arnold (1990) re-

examining possible loci for whiteware production by the Formative Period inhabitants of

Kaminaljuyu. Drawing on Rice’s early work, this research sought to test whether consumers at

Kaminaljuyu procured their whiteware ceramics from sites within the northern end of the Valley

of Guatemala, as Rice (1978a, 1978b) had argued, or from other newly identified loci of

production in Guatemala. Whiteware ceramics from Kaminaljuyu were compared to an existing

compositional database. This database included sherds from multiple sites within the Valley of

Guatemala that matched the whiteware ceramics from Kaminaljuyu in both paste appearance and

decoration (Demarest 1986, Demarest and Sharer 1986). By subjecting the Kaminaljuyu data to

statistical procedures testing group membership in this wider Valley of Guatemala database, any

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ceramic production shared between the two regions would be identified (Neff et al 1990: 172,

174).

The results of their analysis were threefold. First, the Formative period Kaminaljuyu

sherds did not group with clay profiles from contemporary potting communities in the northern

Valley of Guatemala; this suggested that Rice’s original assertion that Kaminaljuyu procured

their whiteware from nearby sites to the north was incorrect. Second, the Kaminaljuyu sherds

grouped with a previously derived ‘Kaminaljuyu’ reference group, comprised of raw clays and

sherds from production loci, suggesting that the production of these whitewares were local.

Third, the heterogeneity of the Kaminaljuyu sherds suggests that local production was most

likely occurred at a series of sites utilizing multiple clay resources (Neff, Bishop and Arnold

1990: 178). Such a finding corresponds with a similar study of Fine Red pottery, (Neff, Bishop

and Arnold 1988), which also found that centers in the Formative period often exploited local

production loci, obtaining different types or wares from different sites within a small radius of

the consumption center.

In 1992, Neff edited a series of chemical composition studies in a volume entitled

Chemical Characterization of Ceramic Pastes in Archaeology. Several of these studies applied

INAA to sites and regions in Mesoamerica in an attempt to understand patterns of acquisition,

production, distribution and consumption of ceramics and represented the most current reports

on fieldwork of a cumulative nature.

Questions regarding the movement of ceramics in Pacific Coastal Guatemala were

tackled by Bove et al (1992), who summarized their ongoing research on the Formative to

Classic transition. It had been argued that substantial changes in the ceramic traditions of Pacific

coastal Guatemalan sites had taken place during the transition from the Formative to Classic

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period. Stylistic observations suggested that changes in the coastal Guatemalan ceramic

traditions represented the wholesale abandonment of one tradition for another due to outside

influences. If this were true, there should be easily recognized changes in resource exploitation,

the location of specialized pottery manufacture, and the movement of these site specific wares

throughout the region (Bove et al 1992: 191).

Of special interest was the magnitude of shifts in traditions during this transitional period

and whether these shifts represented localized evolution/devolution of one tradition into another,

or the replacement of a domestic tradition by a foreign one. Two broad traditions were examined,

the Naranjo tradition, which dominated sites located in northern coastal Guatemala and the

Achiguate tradition, which dominated sites along central and southern coastal Guatemala. The

Formative and Classic period domestic ceramic wares that comprised both traditions were tested

using INAA to construct regional composition profiles. If, as some had suggested, the ceramic

tradition in one region was weakened through unequal exchange, the movement of peoples, or

social decentralization, then this pattern should be recognizable through a comparison of

chemical compositional profiles (Bove et al 1992:189-191).

The signs of the weakening or replacement of one tradition with that of foreign tradition

include: 1) a less heterogeneous pattern of resource exploitation, 2) a less diverse array of

specialized production loci, and 3) a less complex ceramic tradition as a whole. None of these

were supported for the Achiguate tradition during the Formative to Classic period transition.

Instead, both wares that were widely distributed as well as wares restricted to specific contexts

came from multiple production loci. Resource exploitation remained varied, with a range of clay

sources being used. Exchange within the region continued as well (Bove et al 1992: 195,197).

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If the Achiguate tradition was found not to be waxing/waning during the Formative to

Classic period transition, then what about the Naranjo tradition wares? In a test of the domestic

wares produced in the Naranjo tradition, chemical composition data suggests a complex pattern

of resource exploitation, production specialization and within-region exchange similar to that

seen for the Achiguate tradition (Bove et al 1992: 198).

In short, existing theories on the development of ceramic traditions in Pacific Coastal

Guatemala had proved to underestimate these regional cultures, painting a picture of site-specific

production and distribution. Although shifts in styles, forms and methods changed over time,

these shifts in appearance did not indicate a less complex tradition with regards to acquisition,

production and distribution. Furthermore, suggestions of cultural dominance resulting in the

adoption of one ceramic tradition over another were not supported at all (Bove et al 1992: 199,

201).

Another study of Pacific Coastal Guatemalan compositional patterns involved analyzing

nearly 250 samples from clay deposits and possible temper material in the Escuintla region of

coastal Guatemala. The research objective was to identify raw materials used in pottery

manufacture as possible, providing as complete a collection of compositional signatures of clays

and temper material available to prehistoric potters as possible (Neff et al 1992: 59).

The Pacific Coastal Guatemala varies in compositional profiles from region to region and

even from river drainage to river drainage because of a variety of volcanic, riverine and other

depositional processes. These processes resulted in deposits that are not only highly

differentiated in terms of their appearance, plasticity, and texture, but also in terms of their

chemical composition. Because potters may not use all of the clay deposits available to them in

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the manufacture pottery, determining which modern deposits in the Escuitla region required

extensive surveying.

Three types of pre-INAA tests were conducted in an attempt to discern which resources

were likely used and which were not. First, the study conducted field tests of plasticity and

within-deposit variability, selecting only deposits malleable and homogeneous enough for

pottery construction for lab analysis. After field testing, petrographic analysis was conducted on

samples to further test for within-deposit heterogeneity at different locations and depths, thus

reducing the amount of samples necessary for inclusion in the study whenever possible (Neff et

al 1992: 66). After collection, the clay samples were fired to assess their quality for pottery

manufacture prior to the application of INAA, with only well firing clays included in the

analysis.

Similarly, the range of possible temper types was narrowed prior to their inclusion in the

study. Volcanic ash and riverbank sands were included for INAA because they had been

observed in both prehistoric and modern pottery (Neff et al 1992: 62-3).

Following application of INAA on the clay and temper samples, some patterns in sample

composition were easily recognized through principal components analysis. The data suggested

three general trends with regards to deposit composition. One component high in levels of Co, Sr

and Ca was found to best characterize samples in the southeast portion of the study region. A

second component high in Mn, V and largely devoid of Ca best characterized the samples from

the northeast of the study area. A third component high in Sm, Nd, Yb and Ca best characterized

clays at the extreme south of the study region. A set of three other components were found to

shed light on compositional patterning, but to a lesser extent then the primary three components

(Neff et al 1992: 77-8).

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Following the compilation of the INAA data, these data were compared to the

petrographic data and revealed that patterned variation in texture, non-plastic mineral content

and parent material composition found during the petrographic study correlated with the INAA

compositional patterns. This level of correlation between petrographic and INAA analysis of

ceramic and clay paste supported the idea that petrographic analysis should precede other types

of chemical composition study, especially when the sherds are tempered and that temper can be

sourced. Additionally, a whole host of site specific chemical compositions were generated, as

well as broader drainage-specific or deposit specific patterns, allowing future archaeologists

avenues to follow in compositional studies of both raw materials and vessel sherds (Neff et al

1992: 82-3).

In an attempt to summarize compositional studies throughout Lower Central America,

Lange et al (1992) examined ceramic production and distribution in the Greater Nicoya region of

southern Nicaragua and northern Costa Rica. Drawing on an established database of over 1,200

sherds and clay samples, the authors attempted to move beyond simple identification of loci of

production and consumption towards a more complex understanding of intra- and inter-regional

cultural contacts (Lange et al 1992: 171).

Thanks to an established typology for the region as well as highly heterogeneous

geological factors, researchers found it was easy to test for compositional patterns at the

subregional level. Through an examination of ceramic samples spanning 2500 years of

occupation, several temporal production and distribution patterns were revealed. First, sherds

from the Zoned Bichrome period, dating from 1000 B.C. to A.D. 500 were compared to the

compositional database. Sherds from different subregions matched a variety of local clays found

within each subregion, suggesting local clay exploitation and dispersed production loci. These

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small and localized compositional groups suggested a lack of long distance trade or exchange

(Lange et al 1992: 174-5).

Sherds matched a smaller range of clays during the Middle Polychrome period, A.D. 800

to A.D. 1350, and the Late Polychrome period, A.D. 1350 to 1520. Decorated ceramics made

with a fine, largely untempered paste matched compositionally with nine production areas in the

Greater Nicoya region. This identification of multiple production loci allowed the movement of

pottery across the region to be modeled. The northern sector of Nicaragua was shown to have

dispersed its pottery southward into the southern region in Costa Rica, with very little material

from the southern region finding its way northward (Lange et al 1992: 182).

In another paper, Neff (Neff et al 1994) transitioned from the data generating papers of

the previous decade to utilize existing databases and some additional INAA analysis in order to

interpret the production, distribution and consumption patterns of three key wares (Formative

Fine White Paste, Fine Red Paste and Classic Fine Red) during the Late Formative to Classic

Period transition. The primary research question was whether the same panregional production

and consumption patterns of the two Formative period wares could explain the consumption

pattern of the Classic period ware (Neff et al 1994: 334-5).

Two broad wares, white paste ware and red ware, represent the Formative Period. The

white paste wares includes Usulután decorated material, as well as simple silhouette, composite

silhouette and labial flange painted vessels. Analysis of 109 samples of white paste ware failed to

yield large compositional clusters, although some of the samples appeared to be compositionally

similar to pottery from the Guatemalan highlands. Consumption of this ware is spread

throughout both the highlands and Pacific coast, suggesting that multiple production centers,

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including some possibly in the highlands, satisfied a wide demand for the ware and that some

trade occurred (Neff et al 1994: 335)

Fine red ware is found along the central Guatemalan Pacific slope, including

Kaminaljuyu, and sites in El Salvador. INAA suggests that red wares were produced in the

vicinity of three major sites in the region of consumption: Kaminaljuyu, Monte Alto and El

Balsamo (Neff et al 1994: 336).

In both cases, the production and consumption patterns of Formative period ceramics

suggested that distribution of these wares was substantial, with pots manufactured in one zone

being consumed in another. This distributional pattern was directional, as white and red wares

flowed from highland production loci to sites along the coast for consumption over distances as

far as 100km (Neff et al 1994: 354).

Classic period red or ‘flesh’ ware is found in the southern central highlands of Guatemala

and at sites along the Pacific coast. An application of INAA on the flesh ware samples suggested

that the production loci for the Classic period flesh ware differed from those for Formative white

and red wares. Sites producing this Classic flesh ware in the piedmont regions of Guatemala and

not the highlands as was observed for the previous period. Additionally, patterns of consumption

were different in the Classic period, with manufactured pots from the piedmont being consumed

in both the highlands and along the Pacific coast. The implications of this research include a

substantial shift in the distributional patterns of ceramics, as flesh ware was exchanged in two

directions, both to the highlands and to coastal sites. Further, while Formative period production

loci were scattered and remained so until the Classic period, the Classic period production loci

for flesh ware become significantly constricted over time, with a single production point

providing the bulk of flesh ware by the Late Classic (Neff et al 1994: 354).

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Having failed in previous studies to identify loci of production for Formative and Classic

period Guatemalan white paste wares (Neff et al 1990, 1994), Neff and several colleagues

revisited the question five years later. This time, additional white paste ware data were compared

to an expanded compositional database that included newly analyzed sherds from Guatemala and

El Salvador (Neff et al 1999: 281-2).

White paste ceramics with Usulután decoration comprised the bulk of the additional

samples in the study. Usulután decorated pottery is found in large numbers in Guatemala, and is

thought to be similar in paste composition to Sacatepéquez white ware. Attempts at sourcing

Usulután excavated at sites in Guatemala had been unfruitful to date, with the exception of a

single study of El Mirador Usulután, which was found to have likely been manufactured at

Kaminaljuyu (Bishop 1984).

Samples of white paste Usulután ceramics (referred in the Guatemalan literature as ‘Ivory

Ware’) and the related Sacatepéquez white ware were investigated in order to generate

compositional profiles for each type. Following INAA application and comparison with existing

paste sources, it was found that none of the ivory ware was sufficiently similar to existing source

clay profiles, and a production loci for these wares was not determined (Neff et al 1999: 288).

This dearth of fine paste Usulután production loci throughout Guatemala lead Neff et al

to suggest that much of the Usulután wares found in southern Guatemala were imported from El

Salvador. This argument was supported by studies of Usulután ceramics in El Salvador

suggesting that the resist technique was applied to a variety of pastes at several sources of

production. Such a range of applications indicates that the variation found in Guatemalan

collections could still reflect imports of Usulután from a single or multiple sources within El

Salvador (Neff et al 1999: 293).

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With compositional comparisons within Guatemala unsuccessful, Neff and his colleagues

compared these materials to Usulután ceramics excavated in El Salvador. In both paste

appearance and mode of decoration, the samples from western El Salvador appeared identical to

much of the Usulután found in Guatemala. When compared chemically, existing profile ranges

for two broad types of Usulután found in El Salvador, (Jicalapa and Olocuitla), overlapped

compositionally with the Guatemalan Usulután. Some of the white wares from Guatemala likely

came from the same source as Usulután ceramics found in western El Salvador. Current thinking

on the production loci for these El Salvadoran ceramics suggest that they are indeed native to El

Salvador, although conclusive chemical composition studies supporting these assertions have yet

to be conducted (Neff et al 1999: 289, 293-4).

Historical Overview - INAA

As this review has shown, there has been a great deal of improvement in the application

of INAA to questions of production distribution and consumption of ceramics in Southeastern

Mesoamerica. Methods have become more or less standardized and research is now less site

specific, making it of greater interest to a wider audience.

Sampling and methodological practices have been standardized in a number of ways.

First, INAA labs recognize that in order to construct compositional clusters that represent

patterns of pottery production, sample sizes for a single ceramic type or a single site must be

large. Sample sizes for multi-site or multi-type studies need to be even larger. Sherds from large

utilitarian vessels too large to have been transported long distances and samples of ubiquitous

types or wares at a site should be sampled in order to best characterize a ‘local’ range of ceramic

compositions. In addition to pottery sherds, researchers recognize that it is beneficial to sample a

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range of locally available raw clay sources and possible tempers. Further, each of the categories

above must come from well provenienced contexts, with each of the ceramic vessel types, clays

or tempers requiring site and context specific information. In the case of pottery sherds, temporal

control is required in order to understand changes in pottery production over time.

Early INAA research was highly site specific, with researchers seeking to identify

patterns of ceramic production at the local level. These site specific studies over the years have

contributed to a growing compositional database and more recent INAA research has sought to

integrate the data from a study at a particular site or region into a larger, more geographically

comprehensive databases. Comparisons of data within these databases allow the researcher to

report on localized patterns of production and distribution and identify compositional similarities

with other previously studied sites and regions. Such comparisons have brought to light

previously unconsidered relationships among sites and regions and researchers have sought to

place these relationships in behavioral contexts. Examples in Mesoamerica would include the

construction and compositional testing of ceramic spheres. INAA recently has been used to

understand whether these ceramic spheres are the result of migration-based interaction, with

potters and ideas moving from place to place, or the result of directed economic interaction,

sponsored by elites or other agents at sites in Mesoamerica.

This is not to say that there have not been endemic problems with INAA applications in

Southeastern Mesoamerica. Some of the early studies involving INAA were poorly integrated

into existing research, necessitating the development of large, well-funded and broad ranging

studies largely being carried out in order to make sense of existing studies that conflicted with

one another due to their narrow scope. Even today, the majority of INAA research in

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Southeastern Mesoamerica is site-specific, requiring periodic synthetic studies in order to

identify broad regional patterns.

Another problem has been INAA projects with insufficient sample sizes. Sample sizes in

early studies tended to be very small, a reflection of the prohibitive cost of the methodology. The

resulting compositional clusters were not well defined and the subsequent addition of samples

often resulted in shifting patterns of production. Today, archaeologists initiating INAA projects

still face challenges of sample size, having to balance research budgets against sampling effects.

Additionally, an early history of site specific research has led to the development of site

specific ceramic types, wares and complexes. In many cases, researchers at one site have been

describing and naming a type that is clearly similar in both technological and stylistic attributes

to types in other regions. Because the type-variety system of classification is largely based on

similarities in decoration and not paste, ceramicists have been slow to recognize regional trends

in pottery production unless commonalities in paste are joined by commonalities in surface

decoration.

Despite these shortcomings, INAA research in Southeastern Mesoamerica is vibrant and

yields data that has significantly changed the way researchers in the area view ceramic

production, distribution and consumption.

Conclusion

This chapter has reviewed the history of two methods used to characterize archaeological

ceramics, petrographic analysis and INAA. Both are useful methods that can generate data used

to answer questions of ceramic production and distribution. However, this review has shown that

when applied to fine paste ceramics such as Usulután, INAA has significant advantages over

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petrographic analysis. The following chapter will discuss the specific INAA methods used by

the Smithsonian Institution’s archaeometry program and the National Institute of Standards and

Technology. Recent criticisms of these methods and those used by other labs conducting INAA

will be reviewed and an argument for using INAA over petrography analysis will be presented.

The chapter then presents the methods used by the author to sample pottery within the Uapala

Ceramic Sphere, generate compositional data on these samples, and identify patterns in the data.

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Chapter 5 – Methods

Introduction

As the previous chapter has shown, INAA is a proven method of generating

compositional data on ceramics found in archaeological contexts. This method has been used

throughout Mesoamerica to identify patterns of pottery production and distribution and infer

broader economic, political and ideological behaviors from these patterns.

The INAA conducted in this dissertation was carried out at the Smithsonian Institution,

with the irradiation and elemental data being generated at the National Institute of Standards and

Technology (NIST). This chapter discusses the reasons for collaborating with the

Smithsonian/NIST partnership. Several research facilities could have been used to generate and

analyze compositional data for the samples coded by the author. The Smithsonian/NIST facilities

were chosen because of a long history of methodological standardization and an extensive

compositional database that addresses many of the sampling issues with the author’s sample set.

This chapter then discusses the specific INAA methodology used by the Smithsonian

Institution’s Archaeometry Program and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to

generate compositional data from ceramic samples and how these data are analyzed to identify

patterns of production and distribution. Although these methods are constantly being refined and

improved, the protocols and procedures established by the Smithsonian Institution and NIST

have been used in over 30,000 analyses, involving over 1750 irradiations. These analyses have

produced data that has been used in research projects involving hundreds of collaborators from

more than 130 institutions worldwide, and has resulted in more than 130 publications in peer-

reviewed and other journals, books and monographs.

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However, a series of recent articles (Stoltman et al 2005, Flannery et al 2005, Sharer et al

2006) have criticized the application of INAA in the study of regional patterns of pottery

production and distribution across southern Mexico during the Formative period (Neff and

Glascock 2002, Blomster et al 2005). Critics of INAA have argued that petrographic analysis is a

more appropriate method to characterize pottery compositionally. The merits and drawbacks of

both petrographic analysis and INAA will be discussed here because these articles and the

responses to them (Neff et al 2006a, Neff et al 2006b) have garnered much attention and are

germane to the topics this dissertation addresses.

The chapter then presents the methodology for this project, which employed both a

petrographic analysis and the use of INAA to analyze Usulután pottery. First, the methodology

and results of a small pilot project applying petrography analysis to Usulután pottery is

discussed. It was found that this method is not well suited for the compositional analysis of

Usulután pottery due to its generally fine to medium paste. Based on these results, petrography

was abandoned as a potential method to compositionally analyze Usulután pottery and INAA

was utilized instead.

The chapter then summarizes the sampling strategy used to represent the geographic,

typological and temporal range of Usulután in the Uapala Ceramic Sphere and how this variation

was addressed by the sample set. Finally the chapter discusses how each sample was coded for

29 different attributes and how these data contribute to a better understanding of Usulután

pottery.

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INAA with the Smithsonian/NIST Partnership

As the previous chapter has shown, INAA is conducted by a number of researchers at a

number of facilities in the U.S. and around the world. Although the general INAA methodology

is the same regardless of the particular reactor facility or researchers conducting the analysis,

there are some slight differences among labs in terms of the number of elements that are

accounted for following radiation, the statistical methods used to analyze the data, and the

databases from which to compare new sample data. These slight differences in analytical

approaches to compositional data, and slight variations among reactor facilities in their ability to

count elements require calibration of data from lab to lab. This calibration takes considerable

time and cooperation between research facilities and for these reasons, the author chose to work

with a single lab for this project.

The author chose to collaborate with Dr. Ronald Bishop at the Smithsonian Institution

and Dr. M. James Blackman at the National Institute of Standards and Technology instead of

other research facilities for a number of reasons. First, the Smithsonian/NIST collaboration has

resulted in a large database of almost 5000 samples that cover much of Southeastern

Mesoamerica. This database includes samples of both Usulután and non-Usulután pottery from

many of the sites and regions sampled by the author. Several sites within the Uapala Ceramic

Sphere that were not sampled by the author are represented in the NIST database as well,

including many of the sites argued to have been loci of production for Usulután pottery.

Additionally, efforts have been made by Dr. Bishop to sample raw clays from several portions of

El Salvador, providing additional data from which to compare the samples submitted by the

author. Although other research facilities, most notably the Missouri University research Reactor

(MURR), have also sampled pottery from this portion of Mesoamerica, the targeted sampling of

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sites and clay deposits in El Salvador and Honduras by Bishop and Blackman provides the most

amenable database for addressing questions of Usulután pottery production and distribution.

Second, the author chose to collaborate with the Smithsonian/NIST partnership because

of a long history of standardized methodology. Because Drs. Blackman and Bishop have a long

history at their respective positions, the methods and statistical analysis used to generate

compositional data has been standardized. Because these samples have been run according to a

standardized methodology and their data have been stored in the NIST database, comparison of

these data to newly generated data from the samples submitted by the author is easily

accomplished. It should be noted that some of the analytical procedures employed by NIST and

the Smithsonian are not used by other labs, who take slightly different statistical approaches to

compositional data. For a discussion of how the Smithsonian/NIST facilities differ from other

labs, and an explanation of their philosophy regarding compositional analysis, the reader is

directed to Blackman and Bishop (2007).

Finally, Smithsonian Research Archaeologist Dr. Ronald Bishop has collaborated on

studies in the past the specifically target fine paste pottery, including Usulután (see Chapter 5).

His familiarity with Usulután type-varieties and the projects they came from allowed the author

to mitigate potential challenges of preparing and analyzing fine paste pottery and comparing

newly generated data to an existing NIST database derived from collaborations with over 130

researchers and institutions

INAA Procedures – Smithsonian/NIST

The analytical protocols for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis at the National

Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are the result of a long term collaboration between

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research chemist M. James Blackman and research archaeologist Ronald Bishop. Blackman was

added to the Smithsonian staff in 1978 and Bishop joined in 1983 following many years as a

resident in the Brookhaven Archaeometry group. The protocols outlined below were established

during the following 29 years and have been summarized periodically in publications by both

Bishop and Blackman. The summary below follows their most recent discussion of protocols

(Blackman and Bishop 2007). Following these procedures, over 32,000 analyses have been

produced, including 130 collaborations with outside researchers.

Smithsonian/NIST Sample Preparation and Irradiation

Sampling of ceramics is carried out either by drilling the sherd with a tungsten carbide bit

or grinding a portion of the sherd in an agate or alumina mortar and pestle. Prior to drilling, the

sherd is cleaned with a tungsten carbide burring tool to remove surface decoration or other

possible contaminants. The sherd is drilled, most commonly along a broken edge parallel to the

curvature of the vessel wall, and the resulting powder is collected on a weighing paper and

transferred to a glass screw top vial. Several hundred milligrams are collected to ensure

homogeneity, and the powder is dried at 110 degrees Celsius to remove adhered water.

Following drying, the sample is allowed to return to ambient temperature and then a 80-100 mg

subsample is weighed and transferred to a polyethylene tube for irradiation. Between each stage

of this process, drill bits, burring bits and other equipment are washed with acetone or methanol

to prevent cross contamination.

The sample is pneumatically introduced to the NIST Center for Neutron Research’s 20

MW research reactor, where it is irradiated for 4 hours at a neutron flux of 7.7 X 1013 n cm -2 s-1.

Samples decay for six days and then counted for 1 hour and 5 minutes using sample changers

and a hyper-pure Ge detector. A second decay period of 3 weeks follows, after which a second

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count of 2 hours and 10 minutes is conducted using a different sample changer and a gamma

detection system. A total of 35 elements are counted, but not all of these elements are used in the

statistical evaluation of data. Some elements counted are found in such small amounts that

accurate detection cannot be ensured or are determined with relatively poor precisions. These

elements are excluded from the statistical analyses. Some of the elements may alert researchers

to possible salt or tungsten contamination and are similarly ignored for compositional purposes.

Periodic analyses of SRM 679 – Brick Clay are used as a check standard to detect shifts or errors

in measurement over time. Descriptive statistics for all of the counted elements confirms that 18

of them are routinely quantified with less than an 8% error range; 12 of those elements are

quantified to less than 4%. Normalized coefficient of variation values for SRM 679 indicate that

all sources of error other than counting statistics are generally less than 3% in all but three

elements (zinc, antimony and neodymium), which confirms a high level of analytical precision.

Smithsonian/NIST Statistical Procedures

Following the generation of compositional data, these data are recorded for each sample

in a compositional database, with quantities of each element being reported either as a

percentage or in parts per million. Each sample is given a unique identifying name and number

combination and as much provenience information as possible is recorded. The type, or in many

cases, the type and variety, are recorded as well. Concentrations of each chosen element for

samples are compared using a matrix of mean-Euclidian distances and an unweighted pair-wise

average linkage clustering method is used to separate and identify groups. Mean-Euclidian

distances are an expression of the amount of distance in space between points when they are

graphed. In this case, the points are concentrations of an element selected to characterize each

sample. Average linkage clustering methods examine the plots of each sample in space, merging

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samples that are closest to each other in clusters and expressing the distance between clusters.

Clusters are expressed in a dendrorgram. This dendrogram serves to identify trial groups or

clumps of samples that are compositionally similar and show the relationship of these clusters to

any other identified clusters. This type of clustering analysis is found in most multivariate

statistical packages. The specific one used here, SYSTAT (version 10) however, has an

additional feature that seriates or reorders the resulting dendrogram so that the last cluster in a

group is somewhat similar to the first sample in the cluster that follows.

However, a hierarchical cluster analysis of Euclidian distances can often be distorted due

to elemental correlations. If two elements covary to a great degree, a dendrogram might reflect a

narrower range of elemental variance than intended and the principle of variable independence is

violated. Further, such distances can be distorted due to anomalous elemental concentrations.

When elemental concentrations are not log-transformed, a single element represented in very

large or very small amounts will tend to exaggerate the dissimilarity of the specimens.

Cluster analyses invariably include some number of outliers. Blackman and Bishop

(2007) distinguish outliers as either global or local. Global outliers are those samples that do not

belong to any clusters within the data set and can be considered as ‘noise’. Global outliers can

arise because a sample is part of a population that is otherwise not represented, measurement

error, variability that is due to the behavioral modification of raw materials, or errors of data

entry. Such global outliers may be seen as ‘strings’ at the end of a dendrogram and can be

targeted for more scrutiny later in the statistical analysis.

A data set or group that has been identified by a cluster analysis, if sufficiently populated,

must then be examined using multivariate statistical measures. These measures ensure that the

distortion that occurs in cluster analyses has not affected group composition and provides a

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statistical measure by which confidence in group membership can be determined. One technique

commonly used is principal components analysis (PCA). In PCA, a transformation of the data set

based on eigenvector methods is performed in order to determine the amount of variance in the

data set when plotted in multidimensional space. The first principal component when analyzing

ceramic samples is a combination of concentrations for multiple elements counted during the

INAA process when their inter-elemental correlation is taken into account. This component is

oriented in the direction of maximum variance. The second PC is calculated to lie in the direction

of maximum amount of the remaining variance, with the additional constraint that it must be

perpendicular to the first PC when plotted in multidimensional space. Additional PCs are added

with the constraint that they must be plotted orthogonal to the existing PCs. This technique may

allow samples characterized by a large number of elemental concentrations to be distinguished

more easily by reducing the dimensionality of the data set. For example, ceramic samples with

two dozen or more elements counted during INAA can often be represented in three PCs.

Glascock (1992) argues that for the majority of ceramic samples, the first three principal

components can account for up to 70% of the compositional variance in a sample population. If

compositional groups are present within a data set, a PCA will likely identify them.

Alternatively, however, there may be archaeologically useful information remaining in one or

more of the more minor components. How many components to use depends upon each

individual application. PCA is also a useful tool in identifying how concentrations of multiple

elements covary within a sample population. Such information can be useful in the selection of

elements in future statistical analyses.

Once a group has been identified using bivariate plots, PCAs, or other analyses can be

used, such as a canonical discriminate analysis, which calculates the probability of each sample’s

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membership within that group. The probability of a sample’s membership in a group is

commonly calculated by examining the sample’s Malhalanobis distance from the multivariate

group centroid of a data set. The Malhalanobis distance statistic differs from a simple Euclidian

distance measurement because it incorporates information about the correlations between pairs

of elements as derived by the off-diagonal terms of the variance-covariance matrix. Therefore, a

Malhalanobis distance calculation allows the researcher to calculate the probability that a

particular sample belongs to a group based on its proximity to the group centroid in Euclidian

terms and also on the rate at which the density of data points decreases from the group centroid

toward the specimen of interest.

In order to assess whether sample groups are significantly different, the Hotelling’s T2

statistic can be used. This statistic is like the Malhalanobis distance statistic, but instead of

comparing individual data points within a group, it compares two members of different groups.

The Hotelling’s T2

In practice, the use of group evaluation techniques requires some care. “Common” use of

discriminant analysis tends to use a “pooled” variance – covariance matrix, that is, one based on

the inter-elemental relationships of the trial groups. A change of membership of a few samples

can have a profound influence on the discriminant reference axes. A more conservative

approach, and slower, is to evaluate the membership probabilities for each group, individually,

and then to assess the likelihood that other samples might belong to that group—given their

distance from the multivariate centroid. These calculations can be carried out using the

programs originally written at Brookhaven National Laboratory by Edward Sayre (e.g., Sayre

statistic can also be transformed into a measure of the probability of group

membership as well, known as the F-value (Glascock 1992). These procedures are found in

most multivariate statistical packages.

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1976) or as programmed in the GAUSS language by Hector Neff. The latter is available upon

request at the “MURR Archaeometry” web site.

It is helpful to communicate multivariate relationships among samples graphically rather

than just in tables. Most often, these results are presented in the form of bivariate plots, with

individual elements or principal components represented on each axis. Individual samples are

plotted with regards to their values on both axes, and similarity and dissimilarity can be observed

based on the distance from point to point. Groups with members meeting a 90 or 95% confidence

interval are commonly surrounded by ellipses (although other confidence intervals have been

used in particular applications). In order to identify the provenience of samples, or the ceramic

types they represent, samples are often represented by specific symbols, which are explained in

an accompanying table.

Recent Criticisms of INAA

In 2002, Neff and Glascock published an INAA of 944 Formative period potsherds from

seven regions of southern Mexico. This study sought to identify patterns of pottery production

and distribution that lead to pan-regional similarities in ceramic complexes. These similarities

and others represent an ‘Olmec Art Style’, a coherent iconographic system that has been argued

to have developed along the Gulf Coast and then spread throughout most of Mesoamerica. Some

have argued that with the spread of Olmec iconography came the dissemination of social,

political and religious institutions. Central to this argument is the first Olmec capital of San

Lorenzo, which showed higher sociopolitical complexity than contemporary sites and evidence

for the development of much of the iconography seen elsewhere.

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Sherds from several ceramic types and varieties dating to the San Lorenzo horizon (1350

to 1000 BC) were sampled from sites throughout Southern Mexico. Samples were compared

compositionally to a database that included 527 archaeological samples from later sites and over

800 clay samples from the same regions. Of these 944 samples, 725 samples could be separated

compositionally into 15 regionally specific groups based on concentrations of 32 different

elements. The results of the INAA were reported in 2005 by Blomster, Neff and Glascock. An

analysis of the compositional data demonstrated that two white wares, Conejo Orange-on-White

and Xochiltepec White, were produced at San Lorenzo (Blomster et al 2005: 1070). Other white

ware pottery mimicking those styles were produced locally in several regions, but this production

was not widely distributed. Additional types, including a grey ware called Calzadas Carved,

show a similar pattern of production at San Lorenzo that was distributed to other portions of

southern Mexico. This type likewise was copied by local potters, who distributed their pottery

locally. None of the 431 pot sherds that could be identified as being produced outside of the Gulf

Coast region were found in Gulf Coast contexts, suggesting a unidirectional pattern of pottery

distribution (Blomster et al 2005: 1071).

The authors argue that because trade was unidirectional in nature and the pottery that was

imported to regions outside the Gulf Coast depicted Olmec iconography, this exchange behavior

was one way in which Olmec influence spread across Mesoamerica.

A petrography study by Stoltman and others was published the same year claiming to

overturn the Blomster et al results (Stoltman et al 2005). Stoltman and his colleagues argued that

inherent methodological problems with INAA clouded the data. They claimed that in addition to

clays, four other sources of elements exist that can skew compositional data: 1) added aplastics

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(temper, 2) water used to moisten the clay, 3) substances stored, cooked or transported in pottery

and 4) chemicals in the soil that are absorbed by pottery after deposition (called diagenesis).

Stoltman and his colleagues point out that not all of the sherds subjected to INAA

clustered and that Neff and Glascock admit that there were some similarities between some gray

ware pottery from the Valley of Oaxaca and pottery in the San Lorenzo reference group

(Stoltman et al 2005). A reanalysis of sherds of the same wares using petrographic analysis

separated these two groups based on the quartzitic or calcareous sands used to temper the clays

(Stoltman et al 2005: 11214).

Stoltman et al also suggest that the use of Malhalanobis distances to assign compositional

group membership (discussed below) results in too many samples being classified as

‘unassigned’, and that the use of discriminant function analysis can be more effective. These

methodological and statistical concerns lead to a second study using different sherds from wares

argued to have been traded by Blomster et al. Using the methods outlined below, Stoltman found

that patterns of clay tempering supported the reciprocal exchange of two wares, Tortuga Polished

and Calzadas Carved between San Lorenzo and various sites in Oaxaca. They argued that as a

result of this petrographic evidence the unidirectional distribution argued previously was no

longer supported. A supporting article by Flannery et al (2005) attacks the Blomster et al study,

accusing them of ‘sampling bias, anthropological implausibility, and logical non-sequiturs’

(Flannery et al 2005: 11219). They also argue that there isn’t a bridging argument from Blomster

et al’s INAA production and distribution data to their claims for significant political, ideological

and economic influence emanating from San Lorenzo.

Those in support of the Blomster et al article and of INAA in general responded (Neff et

al 2006a). In their response, the authors argue that the critiques by both Stoltman et al and

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Flannery et al are filled with errors and misinterpretations of the Blomster et al data. Criticisms

of the INAA and sampling design employed by Blomster et al are based on exaggerated or

misleading interpretations. The data presented by Stoltman et al is based on a tiny sample

(approximately 20 sherds), which Neff et al argue cannot be used to reassess or overturn data

from nearly 1000 ceramics and 623 raw clays.

In refuting claims that INAA results in too many unassigned samples, Neff et al state that

in order to make their arguments for trade as strong as possible, they set exceedingly high

statistical limits for group membership. The unassigned samples, instead of failing completely to

group with any of the regional compositional groups, instead grouped very well, but not to the

90% confidence interval they had set for group membership. Any easing of the statistical rigor

for group membership would have resulted in more samples supporting the argument for

unidirectional trade, not weakening it (Neff et al. 2006a: 62-3).

Neff et al also discuss the potential skewing of compositional data due to the addition of

temper, the use of water to moisten clays, the absorption of elements from food or liquid and the

absorption of elements after deposition through ground water seepage. They point out that one

effect of these processes on elemental data would be to create compositional differences where

none existed. Because the compositional groups identified by Blomster et al include both sherds

and local clays, any skewing of the compositional data due to the effects argued by Stoltman et al

would have resulted in a fractioning of compositional groups. The raw clays unaffected by

temper or the absorption of elements from foodstuffs would comprise one group. Ceramic

samples, even if they were made from the same clay would splinter into an array of

compositional groups. These groups would reflect the effects of adding different types and

amounts of temper, the elements absorbed through cooking or storing of foodstuffs, or

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diagenesis. Neff et al argue this is not the case with the Blomster et al data, which groups clays

and pottery into a small number of compositionally discrete clusters (Neff et al 2006a: 66-7).

Two more articles, a rebuttal by the Stoltman et al camp (Sharer et al 2006) and a final

statement of support for INAA (Neff et al 2006b) round out the debate. These articles focus as

much on the mother culture/sister culture debate surrounding Olmec studies as any

methodological issues surrounding INAA, and will not be summarized here.

A Dual Approach – Petrography and INAA

I believe that the research conducted by Blomster et al is fundamentally sound, and

support the points made by Neff et al in support of INAA (2206a, 2006b). However, many of the

points made by Stoltman et al (2005) remind us that methods of analysis cannot be applied

indiscriminately and must be justified. Both advocates for INAA and those supporting

petrographic analysis have voiced support for a dual approach that employs both methods. Those

favoring INAA have explicitly stated that in many cases, petrographic analysis is a crucial first

step in INAA studies (Neff et al 2006a). Those who favor petrography have suggested in the past

that INAA and petrographic analysis can be complementary (Stoltman et al 1992), although

recent claims that petrography can overturn INAA results seem to reflect a tempered enthusiasm

for a dual approach (Stoltman et al 2005).

The applicability of both methods to the characterization of Usulután pottery can be

assessed by returning to the recent criticisms made by Stoltman et al. Of the four potential

sources of elements that can skew compositional analyses of clays they identify, three do not

apply to this study and the potential effects of the fourth can be mitigated. The addition of temper

to clays is argued by Stoltman as a potential source of elements that can skew INAA data.

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However, Usulután pottery is described as having a fine to medium paste with little to no temper

throughout the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. A visual inspection of Usulután under microscopy by

Hopkins (1986) noted the homogeneity of the paste and the overall lack of inclusions. The

selection of fine to medium pastes by Usulután potters and the lack of identifiable temper under

microscopy remove temper as a potential source of elemental noise. The absorption of elements

from contact with food during cooking or storage is also eliminated. The range of vessel forms

for Usulután does not include cooking or storage vessels. Instead, Usulután pottery is restricted

almost exclusively to serving vessels such as bowls, plates and dishes. Food would have had

limited contact with Usulután pottery, and never in the contexts of storage or cooking. Post-

depositional absorption of elements can also be eliminated. As Neff et al point out (2006a), post

depositional absorption through contact with groundwater and surrounding soil is most

pronounced when the clays used in pottery manufacture are porous, when sherds lack surface

treatment, or both. The clays used in the manufacture of Usulután pottery are uniform and dense

while their surfaces are both burnished and slipped at least once. Further, Usulután pottery is

found primarily in mound contexts. These elevated mounds would be above the water table and

well-drained, preventing long term exposure to ground water. Personal experience excavating at

Mounds 104 and 101 at Yarumela support this claim. Excavation units at both mounds

uncovered strata that were dry and never water-logged, even when excavation took place during

the rainy season.

Of the four potential sources of skewing elements, the application of water to moisten

clays during pottery manufacture could potentially add elements to the compositional data. In

cases where this has had an effect, a comparison between clay samples and ceramic samples

should show increases in elements common in trace amounts in water. These effects can be

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mitigated by eliminating some of these elements from the analysis should this pattern appear in

the raw data.

Therefore, the application of INAA to questions of Usulután pottery production and

distribution is appropriate and warranted. Factors that limit the applicability of INAA do not

apply to this data set and previous INAA research has shown promising results. Also,

petrography is not an appropriate method by which to characterize Usulután pottery. As even

Stoltman will concede (1991:117) fine clays like those used in the manufacture of Usulután

pottery do not include enough inclusions to make differentiation of sources successful.

Summary of Dissertation Research Methodology

Preliminary Petrographic Research

Despite the above review describing the utility of INAA analysis and the difficulties in

applying petrographic methods to fine textured ceramics, a pilot project using Stoltman’s

methodology was conducted by the author. By conducting this pilot project, the applicability of

petrographic analysis and whether INAA was a suitable method for this particular data set could

be assessed. A set of 20 sherds that were representative of Usulután pottery’s fine to medium

paste appearance was sent to Petrographic International (now Vancouver GeoTech Labs) and 27

mm X 46mm thin sections were prepared. These thin sections were brought to the Department of

Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, and were examined under microscopy with the

assistance of Dr. David Eggler. Examination under microscopy at 10X, 20X, and 100X

magnification showed that while some inclusions were visible, the vast majority of the sample’s

surface was homogeneous paste lacking identifiable minerals. Due to the overall lack of

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identifiable inclusions in the paste, Dr. Eggler and the author concluded that the paste was too

fine to generate reliable compositional data using standard point counting methods.

The Analytical Sample: Spatial Extent

In order to effectively determine patterns of Usulután pottery production and distribution

within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere, several axes of variation had to be accounted for. First, as

much of the geographic extent of the sphere needed to be sampled as possible. To accomplish

this, requests for Usulután sherds were made to the directors of past and present archaeological

projects in Honduras and El Salvador. Drs. Patricia Urban and Edward Schortman agreed to

share Usulután sherds from their projects in the Naco Valley and Santa Barbara region stored at

Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. Dr. Kenneth Hirth agreed to share access to a small

collection of sherds stored at Penn State University from his research in the El Cajon region. He

also agreed to share coding data identifying operations and sub-operations from the El Cajon

project so that additional materials could be sampled from collections in Honduras. Dr. Le Roy

Joesink-Mandeville agreed to share sherds from his excavations in the Comayagua Valley, also

stored in Honduras. Dr. Ronald Bishop of the Smithsonian Institution allowed access to sherds

submitted by researchers for previous projects that included site of Los Naranjos in the Lake

Yojoa region as well as sites within the Copan Valley, including Copan itself.

The sherds from these various projects provide broad coverage across Honduras where

Usulután pottery has been reported (Henderson and Beaudry-Corbett 1993). Attempts were made

to sample sherds from the Ulúa Valley and La Entrada region, both portions of the Uapala sphere

where Usulután has been reported in considerable amounts, but these attempts were

unsuccessful. Elsewhere in Honduras, nine sherds of Usulután pottery have been reported for the

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sites of El Nispero and La Mariposa to the southwest of Lake Yojoa (Urban 1993: 173-5), but

this was considered too small a collection to merit sampling.

Additional spatial coverage of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere was obtained using

compositional data already part of the NIST compositional database at the Smithsonian

Institution. Of the 5697 samples within the NIST database, 791 are Usulután decorated pottery

types, varieties or wares (Table 3). A total of 63 different sites are represented in the Usulután

portion of the database (Table 4). Sixteen of these sites are within the Uapala Ceramic sphere.

Four of these 16 sites added geographic range to the sample set. Usulután from Guauchia III and

Cara Sucia in the Ulúa valley represent one region of Honduras not previously sampled. The

sites of Chalchuapa and Santa Leticia are also represented, providing Usulután from two portions

of the sphere where researchers have argued Izalco Usulután was produced. The other 12 sites in

the Uapala Ceramic Sphere with Usulután in the NIST database are represented by the author’s

sampling of collections, strengthening the sample size for these regions.

Sampling Contexts

A second axis of variation to be accounted for was the range of contexts in which

Usulután pottery is found. Of primary interest was the sampling of Usulután from both elite and

non-elite contexts within regional chiefdoms. If Usulután pottery was imported from a distance,

it is likely that those of a higher socio-economic status would have enjoyed greater access to

what would have presumably been expensive goods. Of secondary interest would be the

sampling of multiple sites within a site hierarchy. If the distribution of Usulután pottery was

controlled by any segment of the society, patterns of distribution over space should be

observable. To this end, samples were drawn from as many contexts as possible in each region.

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For the Comayagua Valley, all of the samples came from the site of Yarumela, the

primate site in a two tiered hierarchy. Two operations were sampled, Operation 19 and 21, both

of which are excavations of principal house mounds within the site’s core. Although other sites

exist within the valley that were likely part of this settlement hierarchy (Dixon 1989), material

from these sites was only available from surface collections which lacked Usulután pottery.

In the Naco Valley, submitted samples were from sites representing a range of contexts:

Santo Domingo, La Sierra, Las Vegas, Site 100, Site 120 and Site 128. Elite contexts are

represented by samples drawn from excavations at Santo Domingo, the site that dominated the

Naco Valley polity during the Late and Terminal Formative periods, and La Sierra, which

dominated the valley during the Early Classic period. The unnamed Site 100 represents a non-

elite context, and has been characterized as a rural farmstead (Schortman pers. com. 2007). The

site of Las Vegas has a long history of occupation, and was likely a secondary administrative

center dating from the Middle Formative period onward. Residents of Las Vegas may have had

more access to goods than those at Site 100, but likely would have had less access to goods than

those at La Sierra or Santo Domingo. Unnamed Site 120 and Site 128 were represented in the

sample as well. Both of these sites have considerable architecture dating to the Late and

Terminal Classic periods and were likely secondary administrative centers during those periods.

The extent to which these Late and terminal Classic designations extend to the Late Formative

and Early Classic periods is undetermined, however, and whether they could be considered elite

or non-elite is not clear.

The Santa Barbara region is represented by samples from three sites: Gualjoquito, and

Sites 106 and 114. Gualjoquito is the primate site for the Ulúa drainage in the Santa Barbara

region during the Late Classic, and was home to a substantial and possibly hierarchically

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organized population during the Late Formative and Early Classic periods. Sites 106 and 114 are

two sites located within the Gualjoquito hinterland, and both were relatively small settlements

that likely lacked any elite components.

The Lake Yojoa region is represented by a single site, Los Naranjos, which was the

center of a regional chiefdom during the Late Formative and Early Classic periods. Although

these sherds are unprovenienced beyond the site-specific level, all excavations to date have

focused on the principal mound group at the site, and these contexts have been argued to have

been elite in nature.

The El Cajon region is represented by a wide range of site types and contexts within

those sites. The bulk of the samples from the El Cajon region are from the primate site of

Salitron Viejo, and both elite and non-elite contexts within that site are represented. Of particular

importance are samples from principal mound groups, including Usulután found in dedicatory

caches marking the initiation or completion of mound building activity. Two other sites within

the El Cajon region, PC-13 and PC-22, are also represented. These sites are secondary and

tertiary sites, respectively, within the El Cajon settlement hierarchy.

Vessel Form and Chronological Issues

Sampling also sought to represent the full range of Usulután pottery in terms of

decoration, paste appearance and vessel form. Because stackable vessel forms would have

resulted in a much lower transport cost and were therefore more likely to have been transported

over moderate or long distances, bowls and plates were of primary sampling importance. Jars

and other non-stackable vessel forms were also sampled, but were of secondary interest,

comprising a smaller proportion of the samples. Usulután pottery within the Uapala Ceramic

Sphere is somewhat variable in terms of paste appearance, with pastes ranging from very fine

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and untempered to medium fine in appearance. Paste color also varies somewhat from sample to

sample. The bulk of Usulután pottery in this study is of a fine paste that ranges from a cream to

light tan appearance. Less common paste variants that were less fine or a darker hue were also

sampled, but represented a minority within the total sample. Decoration of Usulután pottery is

also somewhat variable, although the majority of the samples conform to the general definition

of Izalco or Muerdalo Usulután provided in Chapter 3. Samples of local variants, commonly

referred to as Bolo Orange, were also selected for analysis. In some cases sherds appeared to

have at one time had resist decoration, but had since faded or eroded. These were sampled as

well, albeit in small numbers.

In some cases, attempts were made to represent cream paste traditions that included non-

Usulután pottery. Sherds from vessels that were made of clays similar in appearance to those

used to manufacture Usulután but lacked resist decoration were sampled in small numbers,

especially when samples with definitive resist decoration were poorly represented for a site or

portion of a site.

Samples from different temporal contexts were sought out in order to discern any shifts in

patterns of pottery production and distribution over time. However, fine grained temporal control

at the majority of sites within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere is generally lacking. While the

temporal control for a single occupation period is often well established, the extent of excavation

is often insufficient to provide enough contexts to examine subtle shifts in production and

distribution within an occupation period.

An example of this can be seen at the site of La Sierra in the Naco Valley. While

researchers have been able to establish that La Sierra was the dominant site within a valley-wide

site hierarchy during the Late Formative period, more discrete temporal control within that

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period has not been established, hindering the investigation of pottery production and

distribution (Urban 1993, Schortman and Urban 1994). Of the areas sampled, only Salitron Viejo

in the El Cajon region has research extensive enough to assure sampling from distinct temporal

contexts representing distinct phases within a single site. Sampling took advantage of this

opportunity and samples were drawn from distinct levels that represent the early and late phases

of occupation during the Late Formative to Early Classic transition at the site. At Operation G,

Sub-operations 9 and 206, one of the principal mound groups at Salitron Viejo, excavation units

revealed a lengthy and continuous period of occupation. Samples were drawn from the early and

late phases of this occupation in both deep and shallow excavation levels in an attempt to expose

any shifts in pottery production or distribution at the site during these phases.

Sampling of Existing Collections in Honduras and the United States

In June of 2002, a trip was made to Comayagua, Honduras, in order to sample the El

Cajon and Yarumela projects. The El Cajon project materials were housed outside of Comayagua

on property owned by the Instituto Hondureño de Antropología e Historia. Information on type

frequencies for each operation, sub-operation and level was provided by Ken Hirth, the director

of the El Cajon Archaeological Project. During the ceramic analysis phase of the project, sherds

were coded with regard to surface decoration, providing data that summarized where sherds with

resist decoration, the hallmark of Usulután pottery, was found and in what numbers. These data

were tabulated and compared to site maps for the project. Levels within sub-operations and

operations with more than a dozen resist decorated sherds represented were highlighted and

sought for sampling. Access to the storage facility was granted by IHAH for a period of two

days, and a team of workers was assembled and transported to the storage facility. The storage

facility was poorly maintained and there was some evidence of prior looting of the ceramic

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materials. Bags were ripped open with their contents strewn about the building floor, and many

bags were water damaged from holes in the corrugated aluminum roof, making their tags

unreadable and provenience impossible. Despite these obstacles, forty bags whose tags matched

the operations, sub-operations and levels identified as having significant amounts of Usulután

sherds were found. These bags were taken from the storage facility and taken to the regional

museum in Comayagua for inspection. Bags were opened and sherds that would help fulfill the

sampling design outlined above were pulled and bagged. Samples that appeared to match the

description of Izalco Usulután or Muerdalo Orange outlined previously were selected first,

sherds that appeared to match descriptions for Bolo Orange were selected second. Rim sherds

were preferred to allow for the determination of vessel form. Regardless of type, sherds that well

well-preserved with all of their decoration intact were selected as much as possible. In order to

increase the possibility of determining vessel form, rim sherds and large body sherds were

prioritized. Unselected sherds were re-bagged and stored at the museum.

Artifacts from the Yarumela Archaeological Project are stored at the Comayagua

Regional Museum, and are organized by operation, sub operation and level. Previous analysis of

the ceramics was conducted from 1994-1999 by several individuals, including the author. After

consulting with the project director, Dr. LeRoy Joesink-Mandeville, and reviewing the ceramic

data, Joesink-Mandeville and the author selected Operations 19 and 21 for sampling. Both

operations were from elite mound contexts that included a series of burned house floors,

providing good chronological control. The Yarumela Project’s ceramic coding data includes the

categories “wash/slip” and “surface decoration”, with codes in both categories specific to resist

decoration. A review of the coding sheets suggested that resist pottery was well-represented in

both operations.

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A total of twenty-three bags of ceramic sherds for Operations 19 and 21 were examined,

and sherds following the sampling strategy outlined above were pulled and bagged. Both the

bags from the El Cajon project and the Yarumela Project were transported to the Mesoamerican

Archaeology Lab at the Pennsylvania State University under the authorization of the Instituto

Hondureño de Antropología e Historia. The total number of sherds from both projects taken to

the lab for analysis was 1005.

In June of 2006, the author contacted Drs. Edward Schortman and Patricia Urban, the

directors of the Naco Valley and Santa Barbara Archaeological Projects, and was granted access

to their ceramic collections at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. Attempts were made to sample

from larger collections for these projects in Honduras, but their whereabouts were not certain,

having been moved from storage facilities to a freight train car located somewhere in or around

La Lima, Honduras. IHAH officials were unable to locate the box car during the author’s 2002

trip, and subsequent attempts to locate the collections and gain access to them were unsuccessful.

At Kenyon College, samples from the Naco Valley and Santa Barbara projects were

represented in large type collections stored on campus in lab facilities for Urban and Schortman.

Boxes of sherds with the project name, site name and in some cases, operation and level were

examined for Usulután pottery. In many cases, bags were marked with the type/variety of the

sherds, and the selection of sherds from these projects stems from their designation by the project

directors as well as the author. A total of 43 sherds from both projects as well as 6 sherds from

the site of Los Naranjos were selected and taken to the Mesoamerican Archaeology Lab at the

Pennsylvania State University.

In the fall of 2006 the author visited Dr. Roland Bishop, Research Archaeologist at the

Smithsonian Institution, to examine unanalyzed sherds in the NIST collection. These sherds,

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which were sent to Dr. Bishop as part of previous projects, were not sampled due to various

reasons, and were available for inclusion in this project. Although a good number of sherds were

available, they were of poor condition, with significant surface erosion. A total of 9 sherds from

El Salvador were taken for coding and subsequent return to NIST for INAA.

Finally, the author discovered Usulután sherds from the Copan Valley being stored in the

Carpenter Building at Penn State, University Park. These sherds stemmed from an incomplete

project initiated by William T. Sanders and were never analyzed. Attempts to gain provenience

data from Dr. Sanders was unsuccessful, beyond they were gathered from the Acropolis at Copan

during the mid 1980’s. Since previous attempts to sample Usulután from more recent projects in

the Copan Valley were unsuccessful and Copan Usulután is poorly represented in the NIST data

base, these sherds were added to the sample despite their lackluster provenience. A total of 6

Usulután sherds were considered for analysis. A total of sherds 1069 sherds were drawn from

various projects across to Uapala Ceramic Sphere for coding and INAA analysis.

Sample Coding Protocol

Once all of the sherds were in the lab, a further sampling and analysis of the sherds was

begun. For each sherd to be sent for INAA, a total of 30 attributes were recorded following a

standardized sampling protocol (Appendix 1). Data for each sherd was recorded on paper and

then transferred to a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet. The sampling protocol developed for this

project is similar to the ceramic coding conducted by the Yarumela Archaeological Project and

was chosen due to the author’s familiarity with that system and its proven applicability to the

analysis of Usulután pottery. In a few cases, this protocol was modified to better record the data

essential to the description of Usulután pottery. Additions or modifications from Yarumela

Archaeological Project coding methods are mentioned when applicable below. First, a sample

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number was assigned to each sherd and recorded in Column A. All available provenience

information that could be gathered either by consultation with project directors, information

noted on specimen bags or trays, or information written on the sherd itself was recorded in

Columns B, C and AC). The type and variety for each sample was recorded (Column D).

Type/variety designations made by a previous researcher were largely reinforced, although some

sherds that were mis-typed were reassigned type and variety. Type and variety conventions

followed by other researchers working in Honduras were followed, using Bolo Orange and

Muerdalo Orange terminology.

The part of the vessel the sherd comes from is noted in Column E. Rims (part code 01),

bases (part code 06), and body sherds (part code 11) were most commonly represented in the

sample. Column F records the shape of the sherd. This column provides the opportunity to

identify a range of different handles, bases, spouts, supports and adornos. Of these categories, the

bases (shape codes 06, 07, 08) and supports (shape codes 11-16) were most applicable to

sampled sherds. Column G shows the vessel from for each sample. Vessel form was determined

using a range of attributes following those outlined by Rice to determine broad categories of

vessel types (1987). Some vessel types common to the Uapala Ceramic Sphere that are more

specific than basic jar, bowl and plate forms are included in the coding protocol. Illustrations of

these vessel types, which were used for the initial coding of Yarumela Archaeological Project

pottery can be found in Appendix 1. In addition to Rice’s methodology, personal experience

examining pottery from this region suggests that a sherd with curvature suggesting an overall

small vessel and a lack of interior decoration is commonly a sign that the sherd is from a jar. The

inability to decorate the interior of the vessel due to the restricted neck prevents much adornment

past simple smoothing. Sherds with this combination of attribute were often coded as jars (vessel

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from code 01). The two categories for plates (vessel form codes 03 and 04) and some of the

categories for bowls (vessel form code 05, 06, 11) are the vessel forms most likely to have been

stackable. Neck height was measured in centimeters in column H. None of the sherds from jars

were large enough to determine the neck height of the vessel, and that column is empty for all

samples.

The thickness of the vessel was measured using a digital caliper rounded to the nearest

tenth of a centimeter. These measurements are recorded in columns I (minimum vessel

thickness) and J (maximum vessel thickness). Sherds were measured at their thickest and

thinnest points discounting ridges, flanges or other methods of thickening the vessel body. In the

case of supports, any of the vessel body attached to the support was measured and not the

support. In cases where vessel body was completely absent, the support itself was measured for

thickness – these measurements are significantly greater than those for vessel body thickness an

can be easily discriminated.

Column K codes the type of rim profile observable for the sherd. The naming

conventions for these rim types follow those for the Yarumela Archaeological Project and appear

to conform well with descriptions of ceramics by other researchers in Honduras (Henderson and

Beaudry-Corbett 1993). Illustrations of these rim profiles can be found in Appendix 1. Rim

diameter is recorded in column L and was determined using a rim diameter form in which the

rim sherd’s curvature is compared to a series of concentric circles of differing diameters. The

finish of the sample is recorded in column M. The coding options range from little to no

finishing (finish code 01 “brushed” and code 10 “scraped”) to highly polished (finish code 06).

When different portions of the sherd’s surface were finished differently, the more finished of the

surface finishing was coded for.

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Column N records the wash or slip used to decorate the vessel. Of particular

importance is wash/slip code number 3, “negative resist (Usulután technique)”. Samples with

coded “3” in column N were determined by the author to exhibit the hallmark of Usulután

pottery, lines, dots or splotches of resist decoration and best represent the potter’s desire to

produce or emulate a codified style of decoration.

The color of the paint used to decorate the sherd is noted in column O. It should be noted

that the majority of coded samples exhibit an orange to orange red color that is the result of a slip

or wash. Only when a sherd has been decorated with visible orange paint was the sherd coded

“04” (orange).

The color of the sherd’s decoration was determined with a Munsell soil color chart (Year

2000 Revised Washable Edition) using methods outlined in the charts instructions. Hue, value

and chroma were determined by comparing the sherd’s color to color chips under a combination

of natural light and florescent light in a laboratory setting. These color notations were recorded in

columns P and Q. Column P represents the primary or dominant color of the sherd’s decoration.

For sherds that are bichromatic, such as Usulután pottery, the color against which resist

decoration is set is the primary color. For most sherds this is orange or some variant of orange.

The secondary color recorded in column Q. For Usulután sherds, this column represents the color

of the resist lines of decoration which are set against the primary color recorded in column P. For

sherds that lack resist decoration, the secondary color represents the color of any paint, slip or

wash that was added to the sherd.

The next four columns, R through U, detail the decoration on the exterior of the vessel.

Column R, Surface Treatment I – Exterior, describes the method by which the vessel was

decorated and focuses on whether that decoration was pre-slip or post-slip, and the depth to

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which instruments cut into or added to the vessel surface. Column S, Surface Treatment II –

Exterior, expands on the previous information by describing the shape and appearance of that

decoration. Column T, Surface Treatment III – Exterior, describes whether the design element

groupings coded in the two previous columns appear in a single row, double row, triple row, or

zoned. Column U, Surface Treatment IV – Exterior, describes whether those same design

element groupings are linear or curvilinear. These same four categories are repeated for the

interior surface of the vessel in Columns V through Y.

The location of the major design elements is coded in Column Z. The exterior of the

vessel is assumed unless otherwise noted. In the case of resist decoration, the location of the bulk

of the resist lines, dots, or splotches is located. The texture of the clay paste used to manufacture

the vessel is coded in Column AA. Paste codes 3 (fine texture, orange to buff color, associated

with Usulután technique) and 4 (fine texture, cream color, associated with the Usulután

technique) are of particular interest – samples coded with either are more than likely Usulután

pottery and made with untempered or lightly tempered clays that fire to a lighter color than the

bulk of other types found in the Uapala Ceramic Sphere.

A description of the sherd’s paste color using a Munsell Soil Color Chart and the same

techniques used in Columns P and Q is given in Column AB. In cases where the sherd may have

been discolored or its edges worn down post-deposition, a pair of small pliers was used to create

a fresh break, and the paste color from the broken edge was described. In some cases where

carbonization had occurred, the sherd exhibits two colors: the primary color of the paste with a

black carbonized band in the middle. When this was observed, the paste without the

carbonization was described. For a small proportion of the samples, the black band of

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carbonization obscures the normal paste color completely. When this was observed, a Munsell

description of the band itself was given.

Column AC provides a summary of any information associated with the sherd.

Information on the bags or trays the sherds are derived from is provided, as is any information

that was written or stamped on the sherd itself. When information is given with quotation parks

around it, that information was taken verbatim from the sherd, bag or tray.

Finally, Column AD summarizes the notes taken on each sample. Notes were originally

written on coding sheets as they were coded. After coding was completed, those notes were

reviewed and the most pertinent information from those notes was entered into the excel

spreadsheet. The information provided in the notes helps to clarify, augment, or in some cases

modify the information given in the coded portions of the spreadsheet. The codes should not be

considered alone without consultation of the notes portion of the spreadsheet. The transition from

qualitative data to quantitative data for statistical purposes always includes a loss of information.

This loss can be mitigated by careful consultation of the notes for each sample. The original

coding sheets can be found in Appendix 1.

Of the 1069 samples brought to the lab during sampling, a total of 327 were coded. These

327 were chosen because they were representative of the larger 1069 sample set brought to the

lab. All of the sites that were initially represented in the 1069 sample set are included in the

smaller coding sample set. The full range of pastes and type-varieties are also accounted for.

Both single and double slipped variants of Usulután pottery are represented, and the full range of

identifiable vessel forms were sampled. In cases where more than one temporal period at a site or

region was present, samples were drawn from each period. Not all of the 1069 samples were

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included for coding due to time and budget constraints, and further sampling of the remaining

742 sherds may inform these analyses in the future.

Conclusion

This chapter has presented the methods employed in this research and a justification for

their use. It began with a summary of petrographic methods, one of the two most popular

approaches that have been employed in Mesoamerican compositional studies. The chapter then

reviewed INAA, which has been the preferred method used to analyze the chemical composition

of pottery in Mesoamerica. Through a review of its history of application, we see that despite

initial shortcomings of some studies, modern INAA applications have been successful in the

identification of patterns of ceramic production and distribution. The chapter then reviewed the

sample preparation, irradiation and elemental counting methods employed by NIST. The review

of the NIST methodology not only serves to explain what modern INAA methodology entails,

but also summarizes how samples used in this research were prepared.

Considerable attention was given to recent criticisms of INAA and its applicability in the

identification of production loci and the distribution of pottery over long distances. The major

criticisms of INAA methodology and the responses by the INAA community to these criticisms

were summarized. The chapter then justified the use of INAA for this project in light of those

criticisms. The dual approach to compositional characterization that includes both petrographic

analysis and INAA is outlined and a pilot project that eliminated petrography as a suitable

method for these samples is reviewed.

The chapter then summarizes this study’s sampling strategy and its suitability to

addressing the research questions presented in Chapter 1. In order to effectively answer those

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questions, both spatial representation of the entire Uapala sphere and representation of all of the

major Usulután types and varieties were attempted. A total of 327 samples were collected from

existing collections from sites within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. Sixteen different types and

varieties were represented, all of which of which are Izalco Usulután, Muerdalo Orange, Bolo

Orange or type-varieties with their characteristics following other nomenclature. The methods

used to classify and record these samples was outlined and the methods used to prepare them for

INAA were presented. Of the 327 samples that were coded by the author, 229 were analyzed

through INAA and are included in the larger database. These analyzed Usulután samples were

added to 464 Usulután samples already in the NIST database for a total of 791 samples. Between

the samples submitted by the author and the NIST data from previous projects, a total of 16 sites

within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere are represented with Usulután samples. This accounts for all

but one of the regions reporting significant quantities of Usulután pottery within the Uapala

Ceramic Sphere.

The next chapter presents a more thorough summary and interpretation of the coded

samples. The chapter begins with a discussion of how the 327 coded samples reflect Usulután

pottery within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. Trends in the coding data for 27 different attributes

are summarized and then interpreted. General observations on Usulután pottery in light of these

sphere-wide data are then presented.

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Chapter 6 – Usulután Pottery in the Northern Uapala Ceramic Sphere

Introduction

This chapter summarizes the coding data for 327 Usulután decorated sherds drawn from

sites throughout the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. The coding of these sherds was essential in the

determination of which samples to submit for INAA and these data are used to inform the

interpretations of the compositional groups discussed in Chapter 8. In addition to their usefulness

in complementing the compositional data, the data summarized in this chapter provide an

opportunity to identify trends in Usulután pottery across the sphere. This sample cannot be

considered a completely accurate or random representation of all of the Usulután used

throughout the sphere during the Late Formative to Early Classic transition. However, the data

provided here advance our understanding of Usulután pottery and forms general impressions of

how it was used and its broader role in Uapala chiefdoms.

This chapter will begin with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the sampling

method used in this study and the resulting data set that was coded. It will be argued that using

this data set to examine patterns in Usulután pottery from a sphere-wide perspective is

appropriate. Then the chapter presents the coding data, identifying the patterns across the data set

for 27 attributes. Interpretations of the coding data are presented for the two most common type-

varieties, Bolo Orange and Izalco Usulután. The chapter concludes with a discussion of Usulután

pottery as a whole and what how this coding data impacts conventional wisdom of the type.

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Strengths and Weaknesses of the Coding Database

The 327 samples used in this study are not a representative sample of all of Usulután

ceramics found within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere but they do provide a good overview of

general patterns of paste use, vessel form, and decoration within the sphere. Samples were

selected that added to the geographic representation of the sphere in the database, appeared to be

manufactured with one of several commonly observed pastes that clearly represented a single or

double slipped type-variety of Usulután pottery, or were easily identifiable in terms of vessel

form. In some cases, samples that would have added variability for one or more of the attributes

that were coded for were not included because doing so would have meant sacrificing the goals

stated above. Because of the way sherds were selected, the 327 sample database should not be

considered a random sample or representative of ceramic variability throughout the Uapala

Ceramic Sphere.

The sample is not representative of the entire sphere because not all the regions within

the sphere are represented and not all sites within the sampled regions are included in this study.

The author was not able to get access to collections from all of the regions within the sphere, and

some of the collections he did have access to did not have Usulután pottery from all the sites

where it is reported. Further, the amount of archaeology varies greatly across the sphere and

many sites that may have Usulután pottery have not been excavated or have not to date been

excavated thoroughly.

Finally, this sample is neither random nor entirely representative because, despite some

strong trends noticeable in the 1069 sherds that were selected from available collections, the full

range of variation for every important sherd attribute cannot be represented for every site or

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region with a sample size of 327 sherds. Some variation in the database had to be sacrificed for

some attributes in order to ensure that a representative sample for others was achieved.

Despite these limitations, this database includes enough samples to give a general

impression of Usulután pottery for the Honduran portion of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. As the

following review will show, there are sufficient data for many of the attributes that were coded to

expose general trends throughout the sphere for both Bolo Orange and Izalco Usulután. Trends

for several attributes related to paste appearance, vessel form and surface decoration are

especially noteworthy because the sample set was designed to represent their full range of

variation.

To date, descriptions of Usulután pottery have been largely site or regionally focused.

While many researchers have noted similarities between the Usulután pottery they see in their

excavations and reported attributes for Usulután found elsewhere (Henderson and Beaudry-

Corbett 1993), this is the first inter-regional analysis of Usulután based on a comparison of

Usulután pottery from a variety of projects. By using a single coding methodology for samples

from several projects, some of the confusion stemming from different applications of the type-

variety and modal classification systems can be avoided.

The summary presented below is not intended to be a fully comprehensive analysis of

Usulután pottery. Instead, it represents a step away from site specific or regional analyses

prevalent to date and approaches Usulután pottery from an interregional perspective. Some of the

trends presented below should be viewed as preliminary observations and may change as sherds

from more sites are added to the analysis. Still, this analysis is an important first step in a broader

understanding of Usulután pottery in Honduras.

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Coded Sherd Data Summary – All Sherds

The summaries of the sherd data can be seen in Appendix 2. A total of 327 samples were

coded for analysis. All but two of these sherds are from contexts within Honduras, the other two

were from El Salvador. The vast majority (n=280, 86%) of the sherds were either rims (n=156 ,

48%) or body sherds (n=124, 38%). Supports (n=24, 7%) and bases (n=16, 5%) are also well

represented, with solid nubbin supports and flat bases dominating these two categories. Vessel

form was able to be determined for 145 (45%) sherds, with bowls (n=70, 21%) and two forms of

plates (n=66, 20%) constituting most of the samples. There is a generally small range of vessel

thickness observed among the samples, with 215 (66%) of the sherds ranging from .6 to .8 cm

maximum thickness and 285 (87%) of the samples exhibiting between .4 and .7 cm minimum

thickness. Of the 161 (49%) samples that were rim sherds that could be characterized, outturned

rims dominated, with direct rims the second most commonly coded rim type. Vessel rim

diameters could be estimated for 63 (19%) of the 327 samples. The diameters for these rims were

highly variable, ranging from 12 to 38 cm. The most common rim diameter, with 8 (2%)

samples, was 22 cm, suggesting a plate or shallow bowl. All of the samples were able to be

coded for finish.

Nearly all (n=323, 99%) of the sherds were burnished with striations evident on the

surface. The wash or slip was visible on all but 7 of the samples, and the vast majority of the

samples (n=244, 75%) were positively identified as having a negative resist slip consistent with

the Usulután technique. A small but not insignificant number of sherds (n=73, 22% ) were

identified as having a matte wash or slip. This code was often used when resist decoration, and

therefore a double slip, was not able to be seen. In such cases where a single slip is easily

identified but a second slip is not evident for any reason, a matte wash or slip was coded. Paint

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was not visible on 286 (87%) of the sherds, with the decoration limited solely to the use of slips

and a resist technique to achieve coloration. Of the 40 (12%) sherds that showed evidence of

paint, the largest number showed evidence of red paint. Red paint is not surprising, as Chilanga

Usulután, a variant of Usulután, is characterized by the application of red paint on top of resist

decoration.

The two columns that code for the colors of the primary and secondary modes of

decoration showed a generally restricted range of coloration. For the primary coloration, the

combination of hue, value and chroma that was most frequent was 2.5YR 6/6 (92) and 2.5YR 6/8

(n=41, 13%), both light red. Other commonly coded Munsell colors for primary decoration were

10R 5/8 (n=35, 11%) and 10R 5/6 (n=19, 6%), both red. The most commonly coded color for

secondary decoration was 5YR 6/6 (n=26, 8%), reddish yellow. Other common colors fell

between 7.5YR 7/2 (n=21, 6%), pinkish gray, and 7.5 YR 8/2 (n=19, 6%), pinkish white.

Coding for the exterior surface decoration revealed that the majority of sherds lacked any

kind of exterior incising, excising or other forms of tooled modification. Over half of the sherds

(n=185, 57%) lacked any of the forms of decoration described in Surface Treatment I. The bulk

of the remainder of the samples (n=123, 38%) were coded as other, which was used to identify

the sherd has having some form of resist decoration. Roughly half of the coded sherds (n=164,

50%) also lacked the decoration described in Surface Treatment II. The most common coded

entries were parallel lines (n=90, 28%), random (n=35, 11%), which refer to the appearance of

resist lines on the vessel’s exterior. Surface Treatment III reveals that 18 of the sherds showed

single, double or triple lines of decoration, which is consistent with descriptions of Usulután

given by previous researchers (see Chapter Usulután). Also consistent with other descriptions of

resist decoration is a significant number (n=38, 12%) of curvilinear design element groupings.

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Interior surface decoration generally mirrors that of the exterior, with the majority of

sherds showing a lack of tooled modification. A significant number (n=35, 11%) of the sherds

show some incision. These incisions, which appear u-shaped in cross section and therefore

suggest they were executed before a slip or wash was applied, usually appears as rim decoration.

Resist decoration is represented in Surface Treatment II – Interior, and again mirrors that of the

exterior. Again, parallel lines (n=114, 35%) and random (n=31, 10%) dominate. Surface

Treatment II – Interior shows that the number of design element groupings that can be

characterized as single, double or triple row is greater than for the exterior of the vessel. A total

of 41 sherds (13%) show decoration in rows, reflecting the increased decoration of vessel

interiors with sets of resist line decoration. Interestingly, the proportion of interior curvilinear to

linear decoration is 74 to 104, more even than for vessel exteriors (38 to 92), suggesting that sets

of straight lines of resist decoration are more likely to be found on vessel interiors than exteriors.

The coding for the location of major design elements suggests that roughly half of sherds

with decoration (128 of 237 sherds, 54%) showed both interior and exterior decoration, which

was coded as 09- Other (Specify in Comments) and explained in the Notes column for each

sherd. A significant number of sherds showed interior decoration alone (n=52, 16%), while 23

(7%) sherds had decoration only restricted to the vessel body.

A summary of the paste appearance shows that 216 of the sherds could be identified as

having fine paste, with 125 (58% of fine paste sherds) firing to an orange to buff color and 91

(42%) firing to a cream color. One sherd had paste so fine as to suggest it was completely

untempered, and the remaining sherds (n=111, 34%) had a medium paste.

The Munsell data for the sherd paste appearance was variable, with the six most common

munsell colors accounting for only 116 of the sherds. The most common paste color is 7.5

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YR8/2, pinkish white (n=32, 10%). The other most commonly observed pastes were 7.5YR 8/3,

pink (n=27, 8%), light reddish brown, 5YR 6/4 (n=18, 6%), reddish yellow, 5YR 6/6 (n=15,

5%), reddish yellow 5YR 7/6 (n=13, 4%) and 7.5YR 8/4, pink (n=11, 3%).

Coded Sherd Data Summary and Interpretation – Specific Types/Varieties

The coding of 327 sherds from seven different regions within the Uapala ceramic sphere

provides an opportunity to analyze and summarize the two most commonly reported

type/varieties, Izalco Usulután: Izalco Variety and Bolo Orange, beyond the site specific level of

analysis. These two type/varieties comprise 179 of the 327 sherds that were coded. The

remaining 148 sherds are comprised of three general classes of sherds: 1) sherds that were

designated by other researchers of the author as ‘Usulután’ and lacked any other type-variety

description, 2) Chilanga Usulután, and 3) type-varieties that are defined as having some

members that are resist decorated and some that are not. Excluding undifferentiated Usulután

samples limits the inclusiveness of these analyses and can be viewed as an overly conservative

approach. The type-variety classification system, however, allows researchers to recognize

similarities among ceramic assemblages at different sites and regions. By limiting these

summaries to samples that reflect established classification requirements, a description of these

type-varieties for the Honduran portion of the sphere can be generated.

Summary and Interpretation - Bolo Orange

The coding data for Bolo Orange is derived from 103 sherds classified with the following

names: 1) Aguaagua/Tilaga or Bolo Orange, 2) Bolo Orange, 3) Bolo Orange Tiligua Dense

Orange, 4) Orange Slipped Poss. Bolo, and 5) Usulután Poss. Bolo. These names were copied

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from labels on the sherds, or specimen bags when the sherds were collected. In lieu of this

information, the author classified the sherds as Bolo Orange using the attributes described in

Chapter 3.

Despite having multiple type-variety names, all of the sherds selected are considered by

the author to represent Bolo Orange as it was described by Baudez and Becquelin (1973).

Aguaagua refers to one of two type-varieties: Aguaagua Uneven Orange: Totoca and Aguaagua

Uneven Orange: Aguaagua. The Totoca variety is found in Late Preclassic contexts in the Santa

Barbara region and is defined by an uneven orange slip and medium to medium fine pale brown

paste. Some sherds have faint resist lines present, although not all of the sherds in this variety

exhibit this decoration. The Aguaagua variety dates to Early Classic contexts and like its

predecessor, is defined by an uneven orange slip. This variety is usually made with a medium

paste that fires to a pale brown. Some sherds of this variety exhibit resist decoration. Sherds of

this type were included in the Bolo sub-set of the data because, like Bolo Orange elsewhere, they

represent an attempt to apply resist decoration to medium non-cream pastes.

Orange slipped Poss. Bolo and Usulután Poss. Bolo were included because the author felt

upon examination that the sherds showed many of the attributes for Bolo Orange, most notably a

medium fine buff to brown paste. In the majority of cases for Orange Slipped Poss. Bolo, the

sherd was not given a Bolo Orange designation because the decoration on the sherd appeared to

be resist-like, but was eroded or faded to the point that a complete examination of the decoration

wasn’t possible. In others, sherds were classified Usulután Poss. Bolo because the sherds showed

double slipping and resist decoration, but this double slipping was applied to pastes that fired to a

light buff to cream color. Because Bolo Orange has been described throughout the sphere as

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having both the double slipped resist decoration and a medium to medium fine buff to brown

paste, it was designated as a possible Bolo.

Of the 102 sherds, 47 (46%) are from the site of Salitron Viejo (PC-1) in the El Cajon

Region of Honduras, 27 (26%) are from Yarumela in the Comayagua Valley, 16 (16%) are from

La Ceiba (PC-13) in the El Cajon region, 4 (4%) are from Los Naranjos in the Lake Yojoa

region, 4 (4%) are from PC-22, an unnamed site in the El Cajon region, and 4 (4%) are from the

Santa Barbara region. There were 57 (56%) rims, 35 (34%) body sherds, 7 (7%) supports, 3 (3%)

bases and one body sherd with a strap handle attached. Two of the bases were for flat bottomed

plates, the other was a ringed base. There were four nubbin supports, the other three were tall,

solid supports.

Analysis of these data revealed the following trends among Bolo Orange sherds. Vessel

form could be determined for 46 (45%) of the 102 sherds. Plates with a basal break comprised

43% of these identifiable sherds. Plates with a basal break have a flat base and shallow, flaring

sides. The transition from base to vessel wall is usually fairly pronounced, resulting in the

diagnostic ‘break’. The second most common vessel type was bowls (32%). These bowls appear

to be hemispherical based on the curvature of the sherds. The third most common vessel type

was what Joesink-Mandeville (1993) calls a Chilcal bowl (8%). Chilcal bowls are those that have

concave sides, a basal angle and a convex base. In many ways a Chilcal bowl can be considered

a deeper variety of the plate with basal break. The Chilcal bowls often have an outflaring rim.

The maximum vessel thickness for Bolo sherds ranged from 1.6 cm to .5 cm. The most

common maximum sherd thicknesses were .9 cm (23%), .6 cm (14%), .8 cm (13%) and 1.1 cm

(12%). Minimum sherd thicknesses ranged from 1.1 to .3 cm. The most common minimum

thicknesses were .5 cm (28%), .6 cm (23%), .7 cm (19%), .8 cm (12%), .4 cm (10%).

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Of the 57 rims that were in the Bolo Orange data set, only three rim profiles were fairly

common. Out turned rims were the most frequent (46% of rims), followed by exterior thickened

(23%), and direct rounded (16%), the remaining rim profiles each comprised 5% of the rim

sherds or less. Rim diameter could be determined for 15 rim sherds. Vessel diameter was found

to be highly variable, ranging from 38 to 12 cm. Although none of the rim diameters could be

considered frequent in the sample, rim diameters of 22 (3%) and 20 cm (3%) appeared most

often.

The surface finish of all 102 Bolo Orange sherds was burnished with some striations

visible. This finish is found for both the interior and exterior of all vessels, and appears to have

been an integral and routine part of vessel Bolo Orange manufacture. It should be noted though

that the striations found on the vast majority of the sherds are not severe. The striations are less

pronounced than one would expect for a patterned burnished vessel, and it appears that great care

was taken to prepare the vessel surface prior to slipping.

The wash or slip found on sherd surfaces fell into two broad categories. The slight

majority of sherds (52%) had evidence of a negative resist, or Usulután technique. Nearly all of

the remaining sherds (43%) had one slip or two slips, with a matte appearance, but no resist

decoration present. In most cases, evidence of two slips could be seen on the broken edge of the

sherd surface, in some cases, however, this could not be seen with the naked eye or under 10X

microscopy. Because the sherd sizes tended to be rather small, it is more likely that the sherds

found to have evidence of two slips are actually Bolo Orange sherds, but from a portion of the

vessel that lacked that type of decoration. A small number of sherds showed paint (12%) added

to a single or double slip. A small amount of sherds (7%) showed some orange paint added.

Other colors were red hematite (3%) and red (2%).

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The color of the Bolo Orange sherds was highly variable, both in terms of the primary

orange color and the color of the resist lines. The coding of the primary color for each sherd,

which in this case is the orange color against which resist lines are set, resulted in 23 different

Munsell soil colors. The most common color was light red, represented by 2.5 YR 6/6 (37%) and

2.5YR 6/8 (17%). Red, 10R 5/8 (7%) was also represented, followed by reddish yellow. 2.5YR

5/6 (7%).

Secondary sherd color measured the appearance of resist lines if there was Usulután

decoration and paint or other color treatments added to an orange slip when Usulután decoration

was absent. A second coloration was reported for 75% of Bolo Orange sherds. Secondary sherd

color was also highly variable and no single color dominated. A total of 31 Munsell soil colors

were coded. The five most common colors were 7.5YR 7/2, pinkish gray, (8%), 7.5YR 7/4,

pink, (8%), 2.5YR 6/6, light red, (6%), and 5YR 6/6, reddish yellow (5%). Each of the other 28

colors was reported for 3% or less of the Bolo Orange sherds.

Exterior surface treatment other than resist decoration was extremely rare. Only 2% of

sherds showed any kind of incising. A single sherd appeared to be gadrooned, or decorated in

order to make it appear gourd-like. The remaining 97% lacked additional surface treatment. The

resist decoration on vessel exteriors tended to be either in sets of parallel lines (23%) or random

lines (7%). Further coding of these resist lines revealed that 2% of Bolo sherds had lines in a

double row, 1% had single lines and 1% had zoned resist decoration. The lines were further

coded for their appearance, with 21% of Bolo sherds having curvilinear lines and 5% having

straight lines of decoration.

Both resist and non-resist interior vessel decoration was significantly more common.

Interior incision appeared on 13% of sherds, and one sherd appeared to be gadrooned. The

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increase in interior incision is mostly due to a higher incidence of incision on the inside of out

turned bowl and plate rims. Coding of the resist decoration resulted in 32% of sherds having

parallel resist lines and 8% having random resist lines. Sets of resist decoration tended to be

single row (11%) or double row (5%), although triple row (1%), and zoned (1%) were also

represented. Straight lines comprised 30% of Bolo Orange sherd resist decoration while

curvilinear lines comprised 21%.

The location of the major design elements could be determined for 64% of the sherds.

17% of sherds had only interior decoration and no exterior decoration at all. Rims were the most

common portion of a vessel to be decorated (8%).

Bolo Orange paste appearance was restricted to three general categories. The majority of

sherds (53%) had a medium to coarse texture, with inclusions and possibly temper visible. These

were generally dark firing pastes, appearing buff to brown to orange after firing. 42% of sherds

were of a fine texture and an orange to buff color. The range of coloration for these pastes was

more restricted, with fewer orange firing pastes in this group. Finally, 5% of sherds were of a

fine texture and fired to a cream color.

The range of Munsell colors for Bolo Orange pastes was immense, with 43 different

colors observed. No single color dominated the Bolo Orange samples, and the five colors seen

most commonly were 2.5YR 5/6 (6%), 5YR 6/6 (6%), 7.5YR 8/4 (6%), 5YR 6/4 (5%), and 5YR

7/6 (5%). A blackened core due to firing was visible on 20% of the sherds.

Analysis of the coding data from sites throughout the Honduran portion of the sphere

confirms some characterizations of Bolo Orange made by other researchers, refutes others, and

provides some new perspectives on the type. As the review in Chapter 3 has mentioned, most

researchers report that Bolo Orange from their particular region or site of interest is dominated

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by plates and bowls, and this is certainly reflected in the sphere-wise coding data. The vessels are

also reported to be fairly thin walled, and again this is reflected in the coding data. Researchers

have also suggested that Bolo Orange was produced using two slips over a medium texture, buff

to brown paste. This is borne out by the coding data. Sets of parallel lines of resist decoration are

reported as the dominant decorative motif, which is also reflected in the data. Some researchers

have noted some incising on Bolo Orange sherds, which is seen here. Bolo Orange pastes are

reported to be brown to buff to orange in color, and the vast majority of Bolo Orange pastes

coded for this project support this. Some have reported black to gray paste cores due to firing in

a reduced atmosphere at low temperatures, and again, this is reflected in the coded data.

Additionally, the rims for Bolo Orange vessels tend to be out turned. Many of the outturned rims

are coded as such because they are for plates or dishes with outflaring walls, and the rims

continue this outflaring effect. Some of the bowl rims are out turned as well, suggesting that the

outturned style of Usulután plates may have been carried over to bowl forms. The Bolo Orange

bowl and plate rims that are not out turned are direct. Rims for this type are very rarely, if ever,

turned inward, resulting a restricted opening.

This research has also brought to light trends in Bolo Orange that have not been noticed

or have gone unreported by other researchers. Exterior decoration is rarer than interior

decoration. Resist decoration is found on 30% of Bolo Orange sherd exteriors, and decoration

other than resist lines occurs on only 2% of sherds. By contrast, interior resist lines appear on

40% of Bolo Orange interiors, and interior decoration other than resist lines appears on 14% of

sherds. Non- resist decoration tends to be incised interior rim grooves. While interior rim

grooves have been mentioned in the literature, a comparison of interior and exterior decoration

has not.

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Contrary to what some have reported (Baudez and Becquelin 1973), Bolo Orange is not

confined to medium pastes. Fine textured pastes are found in nearly the same amounts as

medium pastes, and many of these show little to no signs of added temper. Curiously, 5% of

Bolo Orange sherds were made of fine textured pastes that fire to a cream color. Despite being

manufactured with clays that fire to a cream color, these vessels were double slipped, with the

first slip differing slightly from the fired paste color. These sherds may represent

experimentation, with potters extending the range of double slipped Usulután pottery to include

clays that don’t require two slips. Or they may represent a finicky potter who, despite having

clays that fire to one shade of cream, decides to slip their vessel twice for a more assured cream

appearance.

Also, 5% of Bolo Orange sherds were observed with red or red hematite paint decoration.

Red-painted Bolo Orange is a type that has not been described in the literature. Chilanga

Usulután, however, has been described as a single slipped Usulután vessel (Izalco or Muerdalo)

with applied red paint. These double slipped and red painted sherds may represent a double

slipped variant of Chilanga Usulután that uses a wider variety of pastes in its manufacture.

Some additional comments about Bolo Usulután are warranted in light of the coding data.

The wide range of pastes used in the manufacture of Bolo Orange is likely related to the use or

two slips in their decoration. When a paste was used that would not fire to a cream color, a

second slip was necessary. Bolo Orange can be seen as an aesthetic compromise; potters were

willing to go through the extra work of applying a cream slip if it meant that a wider range of

clays could be used.

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Summary and Interpretation - Izalco Usulután

The coding data for Izalco Usulután is derived from a total of 76 sherds. These sherds are

from 5 different varieties classified with the following names: Usulután Izalco, Orange Slipped

Poss. Izalco, Usulután Poss. Izalco, Usulután Izalco? and Muerdalo Orange. These names were

assigned by referring to the specimen bags information or the sherd itself when they were pulled

from existing collections with that information, or the name was assigned by the author

following the Izalco Usulután: Izalco Variety description by Sharer (1978). Orange slipped Poss.

Izalco are sherds that are made with a fine, cream firing paste and appear to be single slipped.

These sherds show no evidence of resist decoration. The author feels that this is likely the result

of small sherd size, and that these sherds are undecorated portions of vessels with Usulután

decoration. Usulután Poss. Izalco is comprised of sherds that have resist lines of varying non-

cream coloration. This range of coloration is due to the lack of a cream-colored slip and is a

reflection of the varying firing colors of the pastes used in their manufacture. Usulután Izalco? is

a small group of sherds that appear to be single slipped and made with a fine cream colored paste

but are eroded or faded. The result is a largely cream colored vessel with traces of orange slip

with resist lines that are difficult to identify or are absent.

The Izalco Usulután sherds are dominated by the site of Salitron Viejo (PC-1) in the El

Cajon region, which comprises 76% of all Izalco Usulután sherds (n=58). Other sites or regions

with Izalco Usulután sherds include Yarumela in the Comayagua Valley (13%, n = 10), the Santa

Barbara region (7%, n=6) Los Naranjos, and PC-13 and PC-22 in the El Cajon region (1% each,

n=1).

Of the 76 sherds, the majority of were rims (51%), followed by body sherds (32%),

supports (12%), bases (4%), and rims with bases (1%). All of the base sherds were flat, and not

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dimpled. There were two varieties of supports: solid nubbin (11%) and tall solid (1%). One sherd

had an exterior labial ridge on the vessel body.

Vessel form could be determined for 40% of the Izalco sherds. Of these identifiable

sherds, 48% were from plates with a basal break. Bowls were the next most common vessel form

(24%), followed by Chilcal Bowls (17%), plates with a rounded base (7%), and cylindrical bowls

(3%). Vessel wall thickness was variable, with the maximum thickness ranging from 1.7 to .5

cm. The most common maximum thickness was .7 cm (22%), followed by .9 cm (18%), .6 cm

(17%), and .8 cm (12%). Minimum thickness was less variable, ranging from .5 cm to .9 cm. The

most common minimum thickness was .5 cm (41%), followed by .4 cm (22%), .6 cm (22%) and

.7 cm (9%).

The most common rim profile among the 40 rim sherds were out turned rims (57.5% of

rims). The next most common were exterior thickened rims (22.5%) and direct rounded rims

(12.5%). Direct pointed, interior thickened, inturned and everted rims each constituted 2.5% of

the rim sherds.

Rim diameters were measurable for 16 of the 40 rim sherds. The vessel diameters ranged

from 34 cm to 16 cm and were fairly evenly dispersed. The most common rim diameters were 22

cm (4%), 26 cm (4%), 19 cm (3%), and 24 cm (3%).

A burnished finish with striations was applied to all 76 Izalco sherds. The vast majority

(82%) were slipped using the Usulután technique, with resist decoration visible. Sherds that

showed a single orange slip but no evidence of resist decoration comprised 17% of the sherds.

As was the case with Bolo Orange sherds lacking resist decoration, the author feels that the lack

of resist decoration is a function or the small sherd sizes, and that sherds from other portions of

these vessels were decorated in the Usulután style. Almost none (99%) of the sherds showed any

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added paint, although one sherd appeared to have had orange paint applied on top of an orange

slip.

The Munsell data for Izalco sherds revealed a wide range of both primary and secondary

colors. There were 20 different primary colors coded, although there was a steep drop off after

the six most popular colors. The most common Munsell soil color was 2.5YR 6/6 (24%),

followed by 2.5YR 6/8 (16%), which are both light red. Other colors, in decreasing frequency

are: 10R 5/8, red (12%), 2.5YR 5/6, red (12%), 10R 5/6, red (7%). There were 17 different

secondary colors coded, with 5YR 6/6, reddish yellow, the most frequent (12%). Other

secondary colors included 5YR 7/8, reddish yellow, (8%), 7.5YR 7/3, pink, (7%), 5YR 7/6,

reddish yellow, (5%), 7.5 YR 7/6, reddish yellow, (5%) and 7.5YR 7/4. pink (5%).

Exterior surface treatment other than resist lines was rare among Izalco sherds. Incising

of different varieties was seen on only 4% of sherds. Exterior resist decoration tended to be in

sets of parallel lines (22%), or random lines or splotches (12%). Cross-hatching was well

represented (8%) as well. Resist decoration was zoned (5%), single lined (4%), or in double rows

(3%). Resist design groupings were tended slightly to be linear (21%) rather than curvilinear

(17%).

Interior surface decoration other than resist lines was more frequent than for vessel

exteriors. Vessel incising was seen on 13% of the sherd exteriors. Types of resist decoration

were dominated by parallel lines, visible on 37% of sherds. Random lines or splotches (9%), and

cross hatched lines (8%) were also visible on sherd interiors. These design element groups were

evenly distributed among single rows (9%), zoned (8%), and double rows (5%). Linear design

elements were more common (37%) than curvilinear elements (25%).

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The majority of sherds had some form of decoration on both their interiors and exteriors

(39%). Some sherds had just interior decoration (18%), and 12% had exterior body decoration

alone.

The vast majority of Izalco sherds (76%) were manufactured with a fine textured paste

that fired to a cream color. A small, but not insignificant number of sherds (22%), were made

with a fine textured paste that fired from orange to buff. One percent of Izalco sherds were of a

very fine texture that appeared to be devoid or temper.

There was a wide range of paste appearances, with 22 Munsell colors represented. The

six most frequent Munsell color designations, however, accounted for 65% of the sherds. A

comparison of these six color plates suggests slight color variations on a dominant pink to cream

color scheme. The most popular color was 7.5 YR 8/3, pink, (21%), followed by 7.5YR 8/2,

pinkish white, (20%), 10YR 8/2, very pale brown (8%), 7.5YR 7/2, pinkish gray, (7%), 10YR

8/3, very pale brown, (5%), and 7.5 YR 7/3, pink, (5%). A blackened core due to firing was

visible for 12% of the sherds.

A review of the coding data supports much of what has been written about Izalco

Usulután. As most researchers have claimed, Izalco Usulután is dominated by plates and bowls.

Plates often have solid nubbin supports and flat bottoms. Vessel surfaces are always burnished

prior to the application of a slip, and Izalco Usulután appears to be the result of the application of

a single orange slip. The primary color is usually some type of orange, although the specific

orange color varies. Resist decoration on Izalco Usulután have been described as cream to pink

to buff in color, and the Munsell data for secondary decoration bears this out. Resist decoration

tends to be sets of parallel lines that are either straight or curvilinear, and cross-hatched resist

lines occur as well. Non-resist decoration tends to be in the form of circumferential interior rim

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grooves, either in a single row, double row, or some basic geometric designs. The paste for

Izalco Usulután is described as fine and firing to a light buff to cream color, which corresponds

well to the coding data.

A few additional observations about Izalco Usulután can be made in light of the data. For

the majority of Izalco Usulután sherds, the color of the resist lines match the firing color of the

paste used to manufacture the vessel. In some cases, however, this coloration differs slightly,

likely due to the burnishing applied to the clay prior to slipping. In other cases, the application of

the orange slip to the vessel affected the base coloration of the resist lines, resulting in a color

more orange than the fired paste color. If potters used an inhibitor to prevent a second slip from

covering portions of the vessel, it appears that in some cases this method was not entirely

successful.

The homogeneity of paste appearance for this type-variety is striking in terms of texture

and coloration. Regardless of where it is found within the Honduran portion of the sphere, the

paste used to manufacture Izalco Usulután is fine, with very few or no inclusions visible to the

naked eye. Visible temper is very rarely seen, and what is visible appears to be ash. The range of

color is slight, considering the geographic extent of the sample group. Potters manufacturing

Izalco Usulután had a clear mental template for how the clay should appear. Because the firing

color of the clay had a direct result on the appearance of the resist lines beneath the orange slip,

great attention and care was given to fired paste appearance. The narrowed range of Izalco

Usulután paste attributes and the lack of similar pastes used for non-Usulután types within the

sphere suggests the restricted use of a clay or clays for their manufacture.

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General Observations on Usulután Pottery

The process of selecting sherds for coding from several regions within the Honduran

portion of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere afforded the author the opportunity to study Usulután

pottery at great length. Although 327 sherds were selected for analysis, several times that amount

were studied but not selected. The literature review provided in Chapter 3 represents the most

comprehensive discussion of Usulután pottery since the treatments of the type-variety given by

Demarest and Sharer in the 1980’s. This research has led me to some general observations about

Usulután decorated pottery manufacture and how it has been reported by archaeologists in the

literature.

Discussions of Usulután pottery have focused on its resist decoration and rightfully so.

The bichrome appearance of Usulután pottery and the specialized method by which this

appearance was achieved results in vessels that are pleasing to the eye. When compared to all

other types dating to this time period within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere, Usulután decorated

pottery stands alone in terms of its appearance. It must be noted that this fine appearance was the

result of labor investments not seen for any other pottery type in the sphere.

I interpret labor investment in the manufacture of Usulután pottery to be very high for

several reasons. First, the range of clays suitable for manufacture is fairly narrow. Medium to

fine clays are required for this type in order to achieve the luster that burnishing provides. Potters

would have a narrowed range of clays available to them suitable for Usulután pottery

manufacture. Also, the burnishing process for these vessels was arduous. Although striations

from the rubbing of the vessel are visible, it is clear that great care was taken in the preparation n

of the vessel for decoration. More labor was required in order to achieve a cream base color for

the vessel. Depending on the type and variety, one of two costly steps must be taken. In the case

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of Bolo Orange, a cream to buff colored slip must be prepared and applied to the entire vessel,

and the vessel must be allowed to dry. In the case of Izalco Usulután, clays must be used that are

both fine to medium textured and fire to a cream to buff color. While these clays may have been

local in some regions, the lack of other non-Usulután types utilizing fine cream firing clays

suggests that their use was prohibitive in some way.

Once a cream base was achieved, decoration of the vessel was carefully considered. In

some cases the resist decoration appears to have been sloppy or haphazard, but the majority of

Bolo Orange and Izalco Usulután vessels appear to have been decorated with great care. Interior

rim grooves or geometric patterns were carefully incised on many Usulután vessels. Parallel lines

were created using a special tool, likely a brush, which appear even in thickness, evenly spaced,

and consistent over the surface of the vessel. I agree with Demarest and Sharer (1982) that this

resist decoration was likely achieved by applying an inhibitor that masked portions of the vessel

and prevented an orange slip from coloring those parts of the vessel. A likely substance used to

decorate the may have been wax. The application of waxes to pottery has a long history and is

still in use today, producing pottery that matches the appearance of Usulután (Turner 2008).

Following the application of an inhibitor, an orange slip had to be applied to the vessel and

allowed to dry. Finally, it is clear from an examination of Usulután pastes that both Bolo Orange

and Izalco Usulután were fired to very high temperatures. Researchers have remarked that

Usulután pottery is very hard to the touch and when struck or dropped make a characteristic ping

sound. Although discussions of prehistoric ceramic firing methods in Mesoamerican are beyond

the scope of this paper, it is clear that high temperatures had to be sustained for long periods of

time in order to fire Usulután pottery.

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One trend brought to light is that 5% of sherds that were classified by the author or others

as Bolo Orange were manufactured with a light buff to cream firing fine paste. Despite being

manufactured with a light firing paste, these vessels were double slipped; once with a cream base

slip and once with an orange slip. This may reflect potters who wanted to ensure that their resist

lines were of a cream color but were unsure of the firing color of the clays they used. It may also

be evidence of potters transitioning from the manufacture of double slipped Bolo Orange pottery

to single slipped Muerdalo/Izalco Usulután pottery. Regardless of the underlying cause, these

sherds show that the line distinguishing these two broad classes of Usulután pottery is slightly

blurred.

The general interpretation that Muerdalo/Izalco Usulután is single slipped and

manufactured with a fine light firing paste and Bolo Orange or other double slipped types with

localized nomenclature is manufactured with a darker, less fine paste is supported by the data.

However, not all fine cream paste Usulután pottery is single slipped, and not all double slipped

pottery was the result of the potter needing to obscure a darker firing paste. Experimentation or a

transition from one way of manufacturing Usulután pottery to another is reflected in the data.

Coding data also brings to light some new patterns of decoration. Both Izalco/Muerdalo

Usulután and Bolo Orange show significantly more interior decoration than exterior decoration.

Resist lines, dots and splotches and incised lines are both more frequent on vessel interiors.

Special attention appears to have been given to the interior of vessel rims, with both incision and

resist decoration often occurring along rim interiors and where a vessel rim and body transitions.

Wonderley (1991) and Schortman and Urban (2004) have argued that Usulután pottery was

service ware used in ritual ceremonies and feasts. They base these arguments on two lines of

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evidence, first, the range of vessel forms for Usulután pottery and non-Usulután pottery, and

second, the contexts in which Usulután pottery have been found.

The most common vessel forms for Usulután pottery in Honduras are plates or dishes

with open, outflaring walls and rims, or bowls with outflaring walls or rims. The coding data

failed to identify any jars, ollas, or tecomates, which reflects vessel form frequencies reported in

the literature (Henderson and Beaudry-Corbett 1993). Only three regions within Honduras report

Usulután jars (Ulúa Valley, El Cajon region and Lake Yojoa region), and only in trace amounts.

Tecomates, ollas, or other vessel forms associated with cooking or storing with resist decoration

are absent throughout Honduras. Although a review of all other pottery types dating to the same

time period was not conducted by the author, discussions of trends in vessel form variation

(Henderson and Beaudry-Corbett 1993) suggest that this vessel form pattern is unique to

Usulután type-varieties within the Honduran portion of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere.

From these data we can confirm that Honduran Usulután is clearly a service ware, used

for the presentation and consumption of food. First, none of the vessel types are suitable for the

preparation or storage of food. Both Bolo Orange and Izalco Usulután pottery is dominated by

plates, dishes and bowls with outflaring walls and everted rims. Robertson (1983: 128) suggests

that everted rims contribute to the ‘graspability’ of vessels when filled with hot food. Wonderley

(1991: 157) suggests that the supports found on many Usulután vessel forms were added to lift

food off the ground, allowing their contents to remain hotter longer. Further, none of the sherds I

observed showed any signs of having been used for preparing or storing food. Sherds lacked fire

clouding and residues on sherd exteriors and vessel interiors showed no wear at all. Sherds that

were eroded showed an even loss of color and decoration across the face of the sherd, suggesting

post-depositional loss of decoration rather than use-wear.

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Because Usulután pottery is restricted to a small number of vessel forms, and those vessel

forms are not commonly found for other contemporaneous types and varieties, the argument for

specialized use of Usulután pottery as a service ware is strengthened. Wonderley first suggested

the specialized use of Usulután pottery (Wonderley 1991: 164). Usulután pottery is found in

earthen mound contexts at Rio Pelo in the Ulúa Valley. Wonderley interpreted these mounds to

be non-residential loci for ceremonies involving Ulúa Valley elites. Wonderley argued that

because Usulután pottery is service ware, and this service ware was found in ceremonial non-

residential contexts, it was used for the serving of food in feasting events by chiefs and other Rio

Pelo elites. He argues that these feasts were likely held to negotiate alliances or marriages,

transact gifting or trading or to end a feud.

While I agree with Wonderley’s interpretation of Usulután pottery as a service ware used

in feasts across the Uapala Ceramic Sphere, I doubt that the everted rims were added to the forms

primarily to ease the transport of hot foods. The coding data presented above suggests that

everted rims may have been seen primarily as platforms for additional decoration. Rim

decoration was common on both Izalco Usulután and Bolo Orange sherds. Single, double and

even triple circumferential grooves are often found. Geometric designs are less frequent, but still

well represented. This decoration is often found at the rim/body junction, which would have

promoted breakage at these points when carrying hot foods. Patterns of breakage observed along

these grooves support this assertion. Therefore, the outflaring walls and everted rims found on

many Usulután vessels primarily provided the opportunity to add aesthetic and economic value.

The outflaring walls, decorated rims and supports contribute to the impression that Usulután

pottery is an objet d’art as much as it is a vessel for food presentation.

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Conclusion

This chapter has presented the coding data generated during the sample selection phase of

this project. Of 1069 sherds that were collected from various projects across the Uapala Ceramic

Sphere, a total of 327 were selected for INAA. These 327 samples were not chosen randomly nor

were they chosen to represent the full range of all aspects of Usulután variation across the

sphere. Instead, this sample set was designed to provide the best possible opportunity to identify

patterns of Usulután production and distribution using chemical compositional analysis. This

sample set, however, provides the opportunity to characterize Usulután from a regional

perspective for the first time in Honduras. As the discussion above has shown, some of the

commonly held assumptions about Usulután pottery have been supported, some have been

refuted, and some new interpretations have been generated. The interpretations in this chapter

should serve as a baseline characterization of Usulután pottery in general and Bolo Orange and

Izalco Usulután type varieties in particular. The addition of more samples will strengthen the

interpretations presented above over time.

The following chapter present the results of the INAA applied to 229 of the 327 samples

that were submitted to the Smithsonian Institution for irradiation at the National Institute of

Standards and Technology reactor facility. The compositional data for the sherds is discussed

and their grouping using a series of statistical methods is presented.

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Chapter 7 – Results of INAA of Usulután Pottery

Introduction

This chapter presents the results of the application of INAA to 229 samples of Usulután

pottery from the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. The compositional data for the samples are

summarized and the process is outlined of how these data were analyzed using standardized

statistical methods. The compositional data for samples submitted by the author was combined

with other Usulután samples from the NIST database and were subjected to statistical analysis in

order to look for compositional groups that could potentially represent discrete Usulután

production and patterns of interaction. Compositional groups were able to be identified and many

were able to be refined to a 95% confidence level for group membership. The chemical

composition of each group was compared to the entire NIST database in an attempt to draw in

non-Usulután samples or match compositional groups to raw clays sampled in the database. This

chapter then summarizes the quantities of sherds from each site or region as well as the type-

varieties represented in each statistically refined compositional group. This process of statistical

refinement and analysis of groups based on site and type-variety membership is then used to

identify loci of Usulután production and trace its distribution from production loci to where it

was used and deposited.

Results: Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

Of the 327 sherds that were coded and summarized above, 229 were sampled for

irradiation and INAA. Samples were prepared by Ronald Bishop, research archaeologist of the

Smithsonian Institution. The samples were irradiated and compositional data was collected by M.

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James Blackman, Senior Research Chemist. The sample preparation, irradiation and analysis

using INAA were conducted using established Smithsonian Institution/NIST protocols outlined

in Chapter 5.

The number of analyzed samples (229) does not match the total number of submitted

samples (327) because of time and budgetary constraints. First, there are a number of concurrent

projects being run at the NIST facility and space in the reactor is limited. Samples are not always

run immediately after preparation. Instead, samples wait for their turn in the reactor, with some

projects having higher priority than others. Second, the irradiation and analysis process takes

approximately 60 days to complete. The first irradiation counts the elements with short half lives,

and a second irradiation is used to count those elements with longer half lives. Because of this

need for two irradiations, a sample is usually in the process of irradiation and analysis for some

time.

Because of the high volume of samples from multiple projects being run at the NIST

facility, Bishop and Blackman use a combination of random and targeted sampling to achieve

meaningful results with the fewest number of samples. For many projects, samples are selected

at random from those submitted. This reduces sampling bias during a project’s initial phases.

Following the irradiation of a significant proportion of the submitted samples, the compositional

data is considered along with type-variety, context or temporal information, and additional

samples are added that will both round out the variability in the overall sample group and also

have the greatest ability to bolster or refine early compositional trends in the data.

For the samples submitted by the author, the first few sets of samples were chosen at

random. As sampling continued, however, an effort was made to include all of the sites and type-

varieties represented by the samples. Irradiation of samples was concluded in Spring 2008 to

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allow Bishop and the author to analyze the compositional data and follow the statistical

procedures outlined in Chapter 5.

Data for a total of 29 elements were initially recorded for each sample. These elements

are: Na, K, Ca, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb,

Lu, Hf, Ta, Th, U and W. This group of elements are recorded by Blackman and Bishop because

they can be reliably counted using INAA methodology and have proven to effectively

differentiate ceramic samples. Of this group, a sub-set of 15 elements were used in order to run

compositional analyses: Sc, Cr, Fe, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, and Th. The

other 14 elements were eliminated for four main reasons. First, analysis of over 4900 ceramic

samples from Mesoamerica has shown that in some cases elemental concentrations tend to co-

vary, with increases or decreases in one element matching with increases or decreases in another.

When elements are found to co-vary, inclusion of both in a cluster analysis, PCA or discriminant

analysis inflates the number of elements counted, but doesn’t add any interpretational value to

the analysis. In these cases, one of the two elements is removed. A second reason for elimination

is that some of the 29 elements listed above do not vary among samples from Southeastern

Mesoamerica. Without sample to sample variance in that element, its ability to differentiate

samples compositionally is muted. Inclusion of these elements would give the impression of a

robust multivariate analysis when in reality, their inclusion adds no interpretive value. Third,

because elemental concentrations vary among samples, if any of the samples in a data set is

shown to have elemental concentrations in such small amounts that precision cannot be

maintained, that element is removed from the analysis for all samples. Fourth, the methods used

to prepare the samples can contaminate them prior to irradiation. For example, cobalt (Co) and

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tungsten (W) are present in drill bits used to extract sample powder from sherds. Wear of the

drill bit can introduce both of these elements to the sample, and therefore were removed.

The first step of analysis was to merge the compositional data from samples submitted by

the author and other Usulután samples in the NIST database from previous projects into a single

data set. In order to select the samples in the database that have Usulután decoration, the author

and Bishop reviewed the type-variety information for all 4948 Mesoamerican samples in the

NIST database, selecting type-varieties that are classified by their resist decoration. The column

named ‘Type’ in the NIST database specifies the type, variety, or ware identification for each

sample. In the majority of cases, these names are entered using type-variety information

provided to Bishop by those submitting the samples. In rare cases where no type-variety

information is provided, Bishop or others have attempted to give the sample a type-variety

designation based on personal experience and reviews of the literature.

This review added an additional 562 samples to the 229 submitted by the author for a

total of 791 samples, which will be referred to as the Usulután Database (Appendix.3). A total of

82 different type-variety-ware labels for samples with Usulután resist decoration are represented

in the database, reflecting the proliferation of site-specific nomenclature regarding resist-

decorated ceramics (Table 3). The large number of types is also a result of the myriad ways

researchers have reported their samples to Bishop. For example, Izalco Usulután: Izalco Variety

is present in the database as ‘Izalco: Usulután’, ‘Usulután, Izalco’, ‘Usulután Izalco’ and several

other designations.

These 562 samples included 37 sites throughout Southeastern Mesoamerica not sampled

by the author. Of note are the sites of Chalchuapa and Kaminaljuyu, both argued to have been

production of loci for Izalco Usulután. The amounts of Usulután for a number of the sites

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sampled by the author have also been increased. The entire Usulután database summarized by

site and type-variety is presented in Table 4.

Cluster Analysis Results and Compositional Group Refinement

This 791 sample Usulután Database was subjected to a multivariate cluster analysis using

the 15 element spectrum detailed above. The cluster analysis measured variance among samples

and grouped samples into clusters based on compositional similarity. In order to represent these

clusters spatially, cluster membership and the distance between clusters was plotted in two

dimensions using a dendrogram. The dendrogram is useful because it allows the observer to view

similarity and dissimilarity among individual samples and groups, identifying sub-clusters within

clusters when they are present.

Of the 229 samples that were submitted by the author for INAA, 193 (84%) were

clustered into 19 Clustered Compositional Groups. A summary of Clustered Compositional

Group membership by site and type can be seen in Appendix 4. The remaining 36 (16%) samples

submitted by the author went unclustered. Such a high proportion of cluster membership attests

to the relative homogeneity of samples within a cluster and suggests that the recipes for clay

selection and preparation were followed. A total of 50 additional Usulután samples that were not

submitted by the author in the NIST database clustered compositionally with the dissertation

samples, 39 of which were from sites not previously represented by the author’s sampling.

The Clustered Compositional Groups tentatively identified by a cluster analysis were

then subjected to statistical group evaluation in order to create more refined groups. This

evaluation determined the likelihood of group membership by measuring each sample’s

Mahalanobis distance from the multivariate centroid of the group to which it was assigned.

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Clusters comprised of samples with small Mahalanobis distances from the group centroid are

well defined, clusters with larger Mahalanobis distances are poorly defined.

A robust statistical estimate of group membership using Mahalanobis distances requires

at least twice the number of samples as there are variables being evaluated (Bishop and Neff

1988). Because the largest Clustered Compositional Group identified in the cluster analysis had

31 samples, a restricted number of elements were used to evaluate the cluster groups. Elemental

concentrations for 10 of the 15 element spectrum were used (K, Sc, Cr, Fe, Ba, Cs, La, Ce, Eu,

and Hf). These elements were chosen because they have been found by Bishop to be the most

useful in discrimination among manufacturing locales in the Southeast Maya region (Bishop,

personal communication, May 2008). Whereas the trial groups were formed from a cluster

analysis based on the absolute magnitude of elemental measurement and assumes elemental

independence, the statistical refinement is based on the pattern of elemental covariation. This

pattern of covariation more closely reflects the occurrence of elemental concentrations in nature,

leading to a more accurate determination of group membership. Group membership was

determined using a 95% confidence interval. Samples lying outside of this interval were

eliminated from the group and new group probabilities were recalculated.

The statistical evaluation of Clustered Compositional Groups 1, 2, 3, 3.2, 5,10, 11, 12, 13,

and 14 at the 95% confidence interval resulted in a total of 7 refined compositional groups,

hereafter referred to as Refined Groups 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, and 12 (Appendix 5). Refined Groups

1, 2, 5 and 11 are almost identical in membership to pre-refinement Clustered Compositional

Groups 1,2,5, and 11, respectively. These refined groups gained or lost one group member.

Refined Group 3 is comprised of all of the previous Clustered Compositional Group 3 samples as

well as the bulk of Clustered Compositional Group 3.2. Refined Group 10 lost 5 samples from

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the pre-refinement Clustered Compositional Group 10. Refined Group 12 is a combination of

samples from Clustered Compositional Groups 12, 13 and 14.

Clustered Compositional Groups 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 15 were too small for statistical

refinement but were nonetheless visually refined by Bishop. An example of this visual

refinement would be when the majority of samples in a group had values of chromium between

10 and 12 parts per million and one or two samples had values of 30 to 40 parts per million.

Those with elevated chromium values would be considered outliers and removed from the group.

These groups, although not refined to a 95% confidence interval, are still useful in this analysis

and will likely form the foundation for future compositional groups amenable to statistical

refinement if their membership increases with more samples.

Of the 229 samples submitted by the author analyzed using INAA, 170 (74%) clustered

into refined compositional groups, 129 of which clustered into statistically refineable groups, 41

into visually refined groups. The remaining 59 sherds submitted by the author and analyzed

using INAA (26%) failed to cluster into refineable groups. A total of 23 samples submitted by

the author that initially clustered were rejected through statistical and visual refinement.

Those samples identified as members of a group through cluster analysis but rejected by

the statistical refinement of larger groups and visual refinement of smaller groups are considered

outliers, but still have interpretive value. Outliers can be the result of three causes. First, the

composition of a sample may be slightly divergent from other samples as a function of vessel

preparation. A slightly different amount or combination of temper added to the same clay or

clays used in vessel preparation may separate samples compositionally to the point they no

longer part of the same statistically refined group. Second, samples drawn from sherds

manufactured from clays that are not completely homogeneous may result in slightly different

234

compositions. Third, the INAA process has a small amount of inherent analytical error which

may be sufficient to separate samples manufactured from the same clay or clays. In each case,

the sample may be just beyond the selected margin of group definition, resulting in its rejection

under statistical refinement. In these cases the source clay of the outlier sample may be identical

to the group it originally clustered with, and should be considered useful in later interpretations

of the data.

Following the statistical and visual refinement of the cluster groups, the rest of the NIST

database consisting of 4948 non-Usulután ceramic and raw clay samples from sites and regions

in Southeastern Mesoamerica was compared a second time to the newly refined groups. Each of

the samples in the NIST database was compared to each of the Refined Groups in succession to

see if its composition was statistically similar and could be included in any of the Refined

Groups. This step was taken to see if any of the refined compositional groups were manufactured

with the same clays used to manufacture non-Usulután pottery in Southeastern Mesoamerica.

This step would also identify any similarities among the compositional groups and raw clays

submitted to NIST for analysis. The likelihood of a NIST sample belonging in any of the Refined

Groups was calculated using the parameters for a group of infinite size and using the Hotelling’s

T2 statistic. The Hotelling’s T2

As a result of this comparison, a total of 77 NIST database samples are included in the

refined compositional groups. The pottery that was pulled in from the NIST database is largely

comprised of Usulután sherds, with the exception of Refined Compositional Group 3. This group

was increased to 37 total members with the addition of 15 non-Usulután samples from the site of

is used to test for differences in the centroids of two groups. In

this case, one group is a single sample from the NIST database, the other is the group centroid

from a Refined Group. Again, a 95% confidence interval was set for group membership.

235

Salitron Viejo (PC-1) in the El Cajon region. These sherds include misfired kiln wasters and

polychrome sherds from the Sulaco Ceramic Group proposed by Hirth (Beaudry et al 1989).

Although the Sulaco Ceramic Group sherds are not identified individually by type in the NIST

database, the types that were submitted to Bishop for analysis include Sulaco Weak/black-lipped

bowls, Serpent fill/interior diagonal, incised/white polychrome, Pendant U and knotted textile

design, Bichrome/trichrome, and Monochrome (including Usulután vessels with mammiform

supports). While some of the polychrome samples were included in Refined Group 3 at the 95%

confidence interval, it should be noted that all of the polychrome samples and kiln wasters

submitted by Beaudry are compositionally similar to Refined Group 3. The relationship between

Refined Group 3 and the El Cajon polychrome samples is shown in Figure 35 and discussed

below.

Refined Compositional Group Analysis

With the groups now statistically or visually refined and any similar NIST database

samples add to them, the refined groups can be analyzed for variation with each group and

elemental differentiation between groups. The refined groups, including those samples pulled in

from the NIST database, are presented in Appendix 5, which summarizes group membership by

site/region and type. Appendix 6 presents elemental information for each group. First, the mean

elemental concentrations for elements used in the cluster analysis are given, then a measure of

dispersion for each element within each group is presented using the coefficient of variation. The

coefficient of variation is a normalized measure of dispersion calculated as the ratio of the

standard deviation to the mean. The average coefficient of variance for each element is given at

236

the bottom of Appendix 6. The generally low coefficients for each element illustrates the overall

compositional homogeneity within each group.

These elemental data were used in a discriminant analysis based on a pooling of the

variance-covariance matrix. A discriminant analysis can be used to test whether groups are

statistically different, but because the variables in INAA are known to co-vary, the analysis and

plots presented here were only used to illustrate group relationships in multielemental space in

two dimensions. The elemental loadings on six discriminant functions are presented in Table 5.

A series of bivariate plots shows the relationships among the compositional groups that

were identified using Mahalanobis distances and the Hotelling’s T2

statistic outlined above.

Figure 35 shows the 7 statistically refined groups plotted using discriminant functions 1 and 2.

Ellipses surrounding each group show a 95% confidence interval for each group. These groups

were also found to be statistically separate, again, at a 95% confidence interval. This means that

while the groups and their ellipses may overlap when shown in two dimensional space, they are

statistically separate groups. As you can see, Refined Group 3 and to a lesser extent, Refined

Group 2 appear to separate from the rest of the groups significantly. Figure 36 plots the same

Refined Groups using discriminant functions 1 and 3. The use of a discriminant function 3 on the

y-axis helps to show the close association of Refined Groups 3, 10, 11 and 12.

237

Figure 35. Discriminant Function Plot of Refined Groups 1 through 12. Ellipses represent 95%

confidence interval.

-8 -4 0 4 8discriminant axis 1

-7

-3

1

5

disc

rimin

ant a

xis 2

1211105321

NEWGP

238

Figure 36. Discriminant Function Plot Showing the Similarity Among Refined Groups 10, 11,

and 12.


-5

-3

-1

1

3

5

disc

rimin

ant a

xis 3

1211105321

NEWGP

239

Figure 37 shows the relationship between Refined Group 3 and the El Cajon polychrome

samples discussed above. Polychrome samples that did not group with Refined Group 3 at the

95% confidence level are shown as squares on a bivariate plot of discriminant functions 1 and 2.

This graph shows that while only some of the El Cajon polychrome samples joined Refined

Group 3 at the 95% confidence level, all of the samples are compositionally similar, likely

reflecting slight changes in the addition of temper or preparation of clays prior to pottery

manufacture.

240

Figure 37. Discriminant Plot of Refined Compositional Groups. NEWGP symbol + includes El

Cajon Polychromes at 95% confidence interval. NEWGP symbol □ 99 are El Cajon

Polychromes not at 95% confidence interval.


-7

-3

1

5

disc

rimin

ant a

xis 2

991211105321

NEWGP

241

Interpretations of Production and Distribution Based on Refined Compositional Group

Membership

A review of the refined compositional groups brings to light some geographical and

typological patterning. The discussion below highlights some of the major groups in terms of

location and type-variety. For 7 of the 16 Refined Groups (1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, and 12) these

patterns can inform interpretations of pottery production and distribution. For the other 9 groups

(4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 15.2, 16, and 16.2), small sample sizes prohibit a clear identification of a

production locus. These groups, however, bring to light preliminary trends in the data that may

be supported by more samples in the future.

Each of the compositional groups that includes samples whose membership meet a 95%

confidence interval (Refined Groups 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, and 12) can be interpreted as a group of

samples that were made from the same clays. The 95% confidence interval, although admittedly

an arbitrary level of confidence, represents two standard deviations in a normal distribution and

has been shown to effectively distinguish patterns in archaeological data (Drennan 1996,

Fletcher and Lock 2005). Further, the 95% confidence interval has been used in past INAA

studies to distinguish group membership, and has held up to later scrutiny and the addition of

more samples to compositional databases (Bishop, personal communication, May 2008).

If we consider the Refined Compositional Groups listed above to represent pottery

production using a single clay or combination of clays, an analysis of group membership in terms

of geography and typology can be used to identify patterns of pottery production and

distribution. In groups where the majority of samples are from a single site or region, the

criterion of abundance (Bishop et al 1982) can be used to argue that all of the samples within that

group were produced at that site or region. The criterion of abundance is predicated on the idea

242

that the movement of pottery over space is costly due to weight, breakage and volumetric

concerns. As ethnoarchaeological research has confirmed (Deal 1984, Pool and Bey 2007),

pottery tends to be distributed locally, even when there are opportunities to transport it. When

compositional groups are dominated by samples from a single site or region, the criterion of

abundance can be invoked to assign a production locus to all of the members of that group.

When a compositional group is not dominated by pottery by any single site or region, one can

interpret that one of the sites represented is likely a locus of production, although the addition of

more samples from sites or regions within the group is needed to identify the locus of

production.

Refined Group 1

Refined Group 1 (n=32) is a large compositional group dominated by samples from the

site of Yarumela (n=11) and sites in the Copan Valley (n=10) (Figure 38). Six samples in

Refined Group 1 are from the site of Copan itself, and an additional 4 samples are from other

sites in the Valley. Because Yarumela is the most represented site, it is possible that this group

represents Comayagua Valley production. It is possible, however, that sampling bias contributed

to this pattern, and additional samples will be required for a more definite interpretation.

Regardless of the site or region eventually found to have produced these samples, Refined Group

1 confirms the movement of multiple type-varieties of Usulután pottery throughout the Western

portion of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere and some level of interaction between the Peten region of

Guatemala and a site or sites in Western Honduras. The type-varieties in this group are

dominated by undifferentiated Usulután (n=12), followed by Usulután Izalco (n=3), Bolo Orange

243

(n=3) and Chilanga (n=2). Of special interest are two Usulután sherds from the site of El Mirador

in the Peten region of Guatemala.

Refined Group 1 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Yarumela 11 Usulután 12

Copan 4 Izalco Usulután 4 Copan Cementario 3 Bolo Orange 3

Santa Barbara 3 Usulután Izalco 3 El Mirador 2 Chilanga: Chilanga 2

Copan Valley El Raizal 2 Taixiguat Orange 1 Copan Valley Los Achiotes 2 Usulután Possible Chilanga 1

Guauchia III 1 Usulután Possible Bolo 1 Los Naranjos, Lake Yojoa 1 Usulután Highland 1

Site 100 (Naco) 1 Usulután? 1 Santo Domingo (Naco) 1 Usulután Like 1

Ayala Grana 1 Tirantes Trichrome 1 Muerdalo Orange 1

Total 32 Total 32

Figure 38. Refined Group 1, including samples submitted by the author and those in the NIST

database.

Refined Group 2

Refined Group 2 (n=15) is a combination of sherds from Yarumela (n=7) and the El

Cajon region (n=8) and represents production in one of those two regions (Figure 39). More

samples will be needed in order to define this compositional group in terms of pottery

production, but this group does confirm interaction between Yarumela and sites in the El Cajon

region. Again, a wide variety of type-varieties are represented, suggesting that this interaction

was not confined to a single Usulután pottery type-variety. Undifferentiated Usulután dominates

the type frequencies (n=8).

244


El Cajon Salitron Viejo 6 Orange Slipped Poss. Bolo 2 El Cajon PC-13 2 Bolo Orange 1

Usulután Izalco 1 Usulután Chilanga 1 Usulután Red and Black 1 Usulután Possible Izalco 1

Total 15 Total 15


database.

Refined Group 3

Refined Group 3 is the largest compositional group with 37 members and is clearly

demonstrative of localized Usulután pottery production in the El Cajon region (Figure 40). All of

the samples are from this region, with most of the samples coming from the site of Salitron Viejo

(n=31). This group is largely comprised of orange slipped and possibly Bolo sherds, as well as

confirmed Bolo Orange sherds and some polychrome vessels of various type-varieties. This

compositional group confirms without doubt that at least some of the Bolo Orange pottery

distributed in the El Cajon region was manufactured locally. The presence of kiln wasters in this

group also confirms localized ceramic production. Based on the proportion of Salitron Viejo

samples to La Ceiba samples, it is likely the ceramic production took place at or near Salitron

Viejo, with pottery being distributed to La Ceiba. All of the sherds in this group are from the El

Cajon region. The most frequent type in this group is Orange Slipped Possible Bolo (n=13),

followed by Polychrome – Type Unspecified (n=4).

245

Refined Group 3 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency

El Cajon Salitron Viejo 31 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 13 El Cajon PC-13 6 Polychrome – Type Unspecified 4

Bolo Orange 4 Kiln Waster 3 Polychrome – Group 1 3 Monochrome – Type Unspec. 2 Trichrome – Type Unspecified 2 Orange Slipped Chilanga 2 Bichrome – Type Unspecified 1 Usulután Izalco 1 Usulután Red Rimmed 1 Usulután 1

Total 37 Total 37


database.

Refined Group 4

Refined Group 4 is a small group that was refined visually rather than statistically due to

its small overall size (n=8) (Figure 41). This group is comprised of sherds from Yarumela (n=3),

El Raizal in the Copan valley (n=3) and Santa Leticia (n=1). Undifferentiated Usulután (n=4) is

the most frequent type.

246


Copan Valley El Raizal 3 Usulután Ve 1 Santa Leticia 1 Bolo Orange 1

Izalco Usulután 1 Chilanga 1

Total 8 Total 8


database.

Refined Group 5

Refined Group 5 is a large group with 27 members and was refined statistically (Figure

42). This group is dominated by samples from Yarumela (n=15), with some representation from

Los Naranjos (n=3), Santa Barbara (n=3), the site of Las Vegas in the Naco Valley (n=2) and

PC-1 Salitron Viejo (n=2). Based on the criterion of abundance, it is likely that this

compositional group represents ceramic production from Yarumela that was both used locally

and traded to other sites in central Honduras. Usulután is the most common type-variety

represented (n=13), followed by Bolo Orange (n=8), which confirms that double slipped non-

Izalco pottery was being traded between regions of Honduras.

247


Los Naranjos 3 Bolo Orange 8 Santa Barbara 3 Usulután Chilanga? 2

Las Vegas, Naco Valley 2 Usulután Possible Bolo 1 El Cajon Salitron Viejo 2 Aguaagua Uneven 1

El Cajon PC-22 1 Orange Slipped 1 Copan 1 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 1 Total 27 Total 27


database.

Refined Group 6

Refined Group 6 (n=12) was refined visually due to small sample size, and is dominated

by samples from the Cementerio portion of Copan (n=8) (Figure 43). An additional Copan valley

sample is represented, along with samples from the El Cajon region (n=2) and one sample from

the Naco Valley. This group is dominated by Bolo Orange sherds (n=7) and possible Bolo

Orange sherds (n=2).


Copan, Cementerio 8 Bolo Orange 7 Copan Valley 1 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 2

El Cajon Salitron Viejo 1 Usulután 1 El Cajon PC-13 1 Chilanga 1

Santo Domingo (Naco) 1 Jicalapa Usulután 1 Total 12 Total 12


database.

248

Refined Group 7

Refined Group 7 (n=11) is another small group that was refined visually (Figure 44). It

has a wide range of geographic distribution, including samples from Yarumela (n=5), Salitron

Viejo (n=4) and Cementerio contexts at Copan (n=2). This group is largely comprised of Bolo

Orange (n=5) or possible Bolo Orange (n=1) and untyped Usulután (n=3).

Refined Group 7 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Yarumela 5 Bolo Orange 5

El Cajon Salitron Viejo 4 Usulután 3 Copan, Cementerio 2 Izalco Usulután 1

Usulután Possible Bolo 1 Usulután Possible Izalco 1

Total 11 Total 11


database.

Refined Group 8

Refined Group 8 (n=11) was refined visually due to small group size (Figure 45). This

group is comprised of samples from a wide range of sites and regions, including secondary sites

in the El Cajon region (n=4), sites in the Naco valley (n=4), Santa Barbara (n=1). Chilanga

Usulután is the most common type-variety (n=4), followed by Usulután (n=2) and several other

types represented by a single sample.

249


El Cajon PC-13 2 Chilanga 4 El Cajon PC-22 2 Usulután 2

Naco valley, Site 426 2 Bolo Orange 1 Naco Valley (no site) 1 Aguaagua/Tilagua 1

Santa Barbara, Gualjoquito 1 Orange Slipped Poss. Bolo 1 Las Vegas, Naco Valley 1 Orange Slipped Poss. Izalco 1

La Canteada 1 Urraco Red-Painted 1 Unknown Provenience 1

Total 11 Total 11


database.

Refined Group 9

Refined Group 9 (n=4) is the smallest of the compositional groups, and consists of 2

samples from Gualjoquito in the Santa Barbara region and a secondary site in the Naco Valley

(n=2) (Figure 46). Four different type-varieties are represented in this group: Usulután Izalco,

Usulután, Chilanga and Cececapa Incised.


Santa Barbara, Gualjoquito 2 Usulután Izalco 1 Site 106, Naco Valley 2 Usulután 1

Chilanga 1 Cececapa Incised 1

Total 4 Total 4


database.

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Refined Group 10

Refined Group 10 is a large group that was refined statistically (Figure 47). This group is

comprised entirely of samples from the El Cajon region and represents El Cajon ceramic

production. The most frequently represented site is PC-1 SalitronViejo (n=24), followed by one

sample each from PC-22 and PC-13 La Ceiba. The most common type-variety is Orange Slipped

Possible Bolo (n=9), followed by Usulután (n=5), Orange Slipped Possible Izalco (n=3), and a

number of type-varieties with 1 or 2 samples each.


El Cajon Salitron Viejo 24 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 9 El Cajon PC-22 1 Usulután 5 El Cajon PC-13 1 Orange Slipped Possible Izalco 3

Bolo Orange 2 Usulután Izalco 2 Orange Slipped 2 Usulután Izalco? 1 Usulután Possible Bolo 1 Usulután Possible Izalco 1

Total 26 Total 26


database.

Refined Group 11

Refined Group 11 is one of the larger groups (n=19), and was refined statistically (Figure

48). This group is dominated by samples from PC-1 Salitron Viejo (n=12), followed by

Yarumela (n=4), Guauchia III (n=2) and PC-22 in the El Cajon region (n=1), which are all in the

western and central portion of Honduras. This group can be interpreted as representing El Cajon

251

ceramic production, with some of this production being traded outside to valley. The group is

dominated in terms of type-variety by Izalco Usulután. This group not only identifies local Izalco

Usulután production, but single slipped cream paste Usulután that was produced in Honduras and

traded to other portions of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere.


El Cajon Salitron Viejo 12 Usulután Izalco 7 Yarumela 4 Usulután 5

Guauchia III 2 Orange Slipped Possible Izalco 3 El Cajon PC-22 1 Usulután Possible Izalco 1

Orange Slipped 1 Orange/Brown 1 Brown Resist 1

Total 19 Total 19


database.

Refined Group 12

Refined Group 12 is the second largest compositional group (n=32) and was refined

statistically (Figure 49). Most of the samples in this group are from Salitron Viejo (n=24),

followed by Yarumela (n=5) and Guachia III (n=3) Like Refined Group 11, this group can be

interpreted as pottery produced in the El Cajon region, with some of this production being

distributed elsewhere to portions of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. The most common type is

Usulután (n=12), followed by Usulután Izalco (n=10) and Bolo Orange (n=5). The co-occurrence

of both Izalco Usulután and Bolo Orange sherds in this group in significant amounts merits

attention (see Chapter 7).

252


El Cajon Salitron Viejo 24 Usulután 12 Yarumela 5 Usulután Izalco 10

Guauchia III 3 Bolo Orange 5 Orange Slipped Possible Izalco 2 Usulután Brown Variety 1 Usulután Possible Bolo 1 Usulután Possible Izalco 1

Total 32 Total 32


database.

Refined Group 15

Refined Group 15 is a small group (n=8) and is comprised of sherds from 6 different sites

or regions (Figure 50). Of note is the inclusion in this group of a single Usulután sample from

Kaminaljuyu in Guatemala. Usulután (n=5), Untyped (n=2) and Izalco Usulután (n=1) complete

the group.

Refined Group 15

Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Naco Valley, La Sierra 2 Usulután 5

Yarumela 2 Untyped 2 El Cajon, Salitron Viejo 1 Izalco Usulután 1

Copan 1 Santa Barbara (no site) 1

Kaminaljuyu 1 Total 8 Total 8


database.

253

Refined Group 15.2

Refined Group 15.2 is only 3 samples, two of which are from Yarumela and one is from

an unknown site in the Naco Valley (Figure 51). Usulután, Usulután Possible Bolo and Bolo

Orange are the three types included in this group. Because of its small size, this group was

refined visually.

Refined Group 15.2 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Yarumela 2 Usulután 1

Naco Valley (no site) 1 Usulután Possible Bolo 1 Bolo Orange 1

Total 3 Total 3

Figure 51. Refined Group 15.2, including samples submitted by the author and those in the NIST

database.

Refined Group 16

Refined Group 16 is another small group (n=7) that was refined visually (Figure 52). Six

of the seven samples in this group are from the El Cajon region, the seventh is from Yarumela.

Four of the samples are Izalco Usulután (n=3) or Orange Slipped Possible Izalco (n=1). One

Bolo Orange and one Usulután sherd complete the group.


El Cajon, Salitron Viejo 5 Usulután Izalco 3 El Cajon, PC-13 1 Usulután 2

Yarumela 1 Bolo Orange 1 Orange Slipped Possible Izalco 1

Total 7 Total 7


database.

254

Refined Group 16.2

The final compositional group, Refined Group 16.2 is only two sherds, both of which are

Usulután samples from the site of Guachia III (Figure 53).

Refined Group 16.2 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Guachia III 2 Usulután 2

Total 2 Total 2

Figure 53. Refined Group 16.2, including samples submitted by the author and those in the NIST

database.

Equally important to this discussion of pottery production and distribution is a

consideration of what samples in the NIST database were not included in these compositional

groups. Of primary importance is the complete lack of pottery from El Salvador in these groups.

Despite attempts to compositionally link the 229 submitted samples to the rest of the NIST

database, none of the statistically Refined Compositional Groups with members meeting a 95%

confidence interval included a single El Salvadoran sample. A sample of Usulután pottery from

Santa Leticia was grouped compositionally in Refined Group 4, but this is too small a group for

statistical refinement and its membership may change with the addition of more samples and

more rigorous statistical refinement. Refined Group 4, which also includes samples from

Yarumela and El Raizal in the Copan Valley, cannot be interpreted at this time to represent an El

Salvadoran locus of production.

The inability of Usulután pottery from El Salvador to find its way into any of the

compositional groups created by this analysis confirms that the bulk of both Muerdalo/Izalco and

Bolo Orange Usulután pottery distributed in Honduras was not produced in El Salvador. The

NIST database includes both Usulután and non-Usulután sherds from Santa Leticia and

255

Chalchuapa in El Salvador, and Kaminaljuyu in Guatemala. Each of these sites has been argued

to have produced Usulután pottery. Pottery from unnamed sites throughout Western El Salvador

and clay samples from the Izalco region of El Salvador are also in the database, the these also

failed to group compositionally with any of the samples analyzed in this study.

This compositional patterning suggests that at the most, trace amounts of Usulután

pottery produced in El Salvador made its way northward into the rest of the Uapala Ceramic

Sphere and that at least in terms of ceramic exchange, the Uapala Ceramic sphere can be divided

into El Salvadoran and Honduran sub-spheres (Figure 54). The amount of Usulután pottery

manufactured in El Salvador was so minimal that it comprised none of the compositional groups

in this study. A single sherd from Santa Leticia was grouped, and because one sherd was grouped

when 77 sherds of various type-varieties from Santa Leticia reside in the NIST database, it is

unlikely that this single sherd was produced in El Salvador.

256

Figure 54. The Uapala Ceramic Sphere with El Salvadoran and Honduran sub-spheres. (adapted

from Henderson and Beaudry-Corbett 1993)

257

While these data do not support significant long-distance exchange between Honduras

and El Salvador, several exchange patterns within Honduras were identified. Compositional

groups 2, 11 and 12 each include significant amounts of both Yarumela and El Cajon samples.

Each of these groups was refined statistically and samples within this group reflect a 95%

confidence interval of membership and each compositional group was also found to be

statistically different with a 95% confidence interval. We can therefore interpret each

compositional group as representing ceramic production from a single distinct clay source.

Ethnoarchaeological studies of ceramic production indicates that the majority of clays that are

used by potters are found within a small radius of where they are produced (Arnold 1995, Deal

1985), so the movement of potters from the El Cajon region and the Comayagua Valley to a third

site for shared exploitation of a clay resource is unlikely. Also unlikely is the likelihood that a

third unsampled site produced pottery for both regions, and is somehow not represented by the

sampling conducted by the author nor the NIST database.

Therefore, it can be argued that Refined Compositional Groups 2, 11 and 12 represent

either El Cajon or Comayagua Valley ceramic production, and that this pottery moved from one

region to the other. Because of the increased amount of economic exchange between these two

regions, we can consider the Comayagua Valley and El Cajon region to represent a sub-sphere

within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere (Figure 55). Without clay samples to geographically define

this production, the specific locus of production cannot be fully determined, but the criterion of

abundance (Bishop et al 1982) supports the conclusion that Compositional Groups 11 and 12

represent Izalco Usulután pottery production from the El Cajon region that was traded to

Yarumela. Compositional Group 2 is almost equally divided among Yarumela and El Cajon

samples, with the majority of sherds in this group unable to be classified by type-variety. Either

258

clay sourcing and/or more sherd samples will be needed to identify a locus of production for

samples in this group and determine whether this clay source was used to manufacture single

slipped Usulután, double slipped Usulután or both.

Figure 55. The El Salvadoran and Honduran sub-spheres, El Cajon - Comayagua sub-sphere

added. (adapted from Henderson and Beaudry-Corbett 1993)

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A second pattern of production and distribution can be inferred from Refined

Compositional Group 1. This group is dominated by sherds from Yarumela (n=11) and the

Copan Valley (n=11), although sherds from a number of sites in Northern and Central Honduras

(Santa Barbara Region, Lake Yojoa Region and Naco Valley) and the Peten region of Guatemala

are represented in small numbers. This compositional group, like Groups 2, 10 and 11 above, is

statistically refined to the 95% confidence levels and also separates compositionally from other

groups with the same level of confidence. Based on the high amount of compositional similarity

among members of the group and the statistically significant separation of this group from all

others, Compositional Group 1 can be inferred to represent production from a single clay source.

The sites represented in this group are found throughout central, northern and western

Honduras and northern Guatemala. Because these regions are separated by up to 200 km, it is

highly unlikely that potters from each site identified in the group were using the same clay,

leaving the movement of pots from one site represented in the group to the others the most likely

scenario. Based on the number of samples from Yarumela and the Copan Valley in the group, it

is likely that this group represents pottery production in one of these two regions. Because this

group does not include any clay samples and the number of sherds representing both regions is

even, neither clay sourcing nor the criterion of abundance can be used to eliminate either region

as a potential locus of production. The addition of more samples or clay sources will likely help

refine this group compositionally. Regardless of the specific locus of production, this group can

be considered strong evidence for the movement of Usulután among sites throughout the western

and northern portions of Honduras. The inclusion of 2 samples from El Mirador suggests that

this ceramic interaction likely spread into northern Guatemala as well. This pattern of production

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and distribution can be inferred to represent an additional Northwestern Uapala – Guatemalan

sub-sphere (Figure 56).

Figure 56. The El Salvadoran, Honduran, El Cajon - Comayagua sub-spheres, with Northwestern

Uapala – Guatemalan sub-sphere added. (adapted from Henderson and Beaudry-Corbett 1993)

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The samples in this group include undifferentiated Usulután, Izalco Usulután, Bolo

Usulután, Chilanga Usulután among others. This seemingly incongruent group likely represents

double slipped, dark firing paste Usulután. Of the 12 samples submitted by the author, only one

is a somewhat light firing single slipped sherd classified as Izalco Usulután (CG245). The other

11 samples are double slipped and manufactured with a buff to brown, medium textured paste.

Visual examination of the other samples in this group submitted by other researchers may reveal

differences in how Izalco Usulután and Bolo Orange are classified, with samples classified as

Izalco Usulután by other researchers having a coarser and darker firing paste than the author

would consider appropriate for Izalco Usulután.

A third pattern of pottery production and distribution can be seen with Refined

Compositional Group 5. Like the other groups used to argue for pottery production from a single

clay source, Group 5 was refined to group membership with a 95% confidence interval. It was

also determined to separate compositionally from all other groups with the same level of

confidence. Group 5 is dominated by sherds from Yarumela, but includes some sherds from Los

Naranjos, the Santa Barbara region, the Naco valley, sites in the El Cajon region, and Copan.

Because over half of the samples in this group are from the site of Yarumela, and sites

represented in this group are spread throughout central and western Honduras, samples within

this group can be interpreted at pottery manufactured in the Comayagua Valley. This pottery

subsequently was transported to the other sites in the region and represents a Comayagua-based

sub-sphere (Figure 57).

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Figure 57. The El Salvadoran, Honduran, El Cajon – Comayagua, Northwestern Uapala –

Guatemalan, and Comayagua-based sub-sphere added. (adapted from Henderson and Beaudry-

Corbett 1993)

Conclusion

This chapter has presented the compositional data for 229 Usulután pottery sherds

generated by INAA. The process of whittling down these 229 samples into compositional groups

was presented, and the statistical justification for these groups was provided. The process of

comparing compositional groups to the NIST database was reviewed, and refined compositional

groups were identified. Of the 229 samples that were subjected to INAA, 170 found membership

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in refined compositional groups. Comparison of these groups to the NIST database pulled an

additional 77 sherds into these groups. Based on provenience information and type-variety

classification, many of the groups were able to be identified as representations of specific loci of

production. With production loci identified, patterns of distribution were identified.

The next chapter will interpret the patterns of production and distribution presented

above, and will return to the research hypotheses presented in Chapter 1.The behaviors

responsible for the Uapala Ceramic Sphere will be identified and how this newly defined ceramic

sphere reflects broader socio-political and ideological aspects of chiefdoms during the Late

Formative to Early Classic transition will be discussed.

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Table 3. Usulután decorated types and varieties in the NIST database by frequency. Includes samples submitted by the author (n=229) and those already in the NIST database (n=562).

Type/Variety Amount Usulután 279

Bolo Orange 54 Chilanga Polychrome 37

Usulután Izalco 36 Orange Slipped Poss. Bolo 34

Usulután, ORANGE WARE 29 Izalco Usulután: Bicoños 27

Jicalapa Usulután 20 Chilanga: Osicala 18 Usulután, Izalco 18

Chilanga: Chilanga 16 Chilanga 12

Usulután Undifferentiated 10 Usulután(?)Orng 10

Orange Slipped Poss. Izalco 9 Usulután, Jicalapa 9

Izalco Usulután: Izalco 8 Usulután decoration, local KJ? 7

Usulután Variegated 7 Usulután-like 7

Izalco Usulután: Sipues 6 Usulután (San Antonio) 6

Usulután Poss. Bolo 6 Usulután, Highland 6 Usulután? Orange 6 Izalco Usulután 5

Olocuitla Usulután 5 Orange Slipped 5

Usulután Poss. Izalco 5 Usulután?, local? 5

Jicalapa or Izalco Usulután 4 Usulután, Verbena Ivory, Highland 4

Chilanga Usulután 3 Jacalapa Usulután 3

Usulután Chilanga? 3 Usulután negativo 3

Usulután, Highland? 3 Usulután, local 3

Usulután, local paste 3 Usulután? 3

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Orange slipped Chilanga? 2 Taixiguat or Bolo Orange 2 Usulután (Red Painted) 2 Usulután Brown Variety 2

Usulután Cafe Reservado Sobre 2 Usulután decoration 2

Usulután Izalco? 2 Usulután, falso 2

Usulután, Form B 2 Usulután, Form C 2

Usulután, Tzuntulin Red 2 Usulután, Verbene Red-orange 2

Usulután, vessel form C 2 Verbena Red-orange, Usulután 2 Aguagua Tilaga or Bolo Orange 1 Aguagua/Tilaga or Bolo Orange 1 Aguagua/Tilage or Bolo Orange 1

Bolo Orange Tiligua Dense Orang 1 Brown Resist (Usulután?) 1 Cececapa Incised? Bolo? 1

Chilanga: Osicala or Favela 1 Izalco Usulután: Local? 1

Jicalpa Usulután 1 Jiclapa Usulután 1 Muerdalo Orange 1

Orange Slipped Red Rim 1 ORANGE WARE Usulután 1

Orange/Brown Slipped 1 Red rimmed Usulután 1

Usulután (poss. Chilanga) 1 Usulután Chilanga 1 Usulután I, Form C 1

Usulután Undifferentiated/MIOR 1 Usulután, Chilanga Red-painted 1

Usulután, Form E 1 Usulután, imitation 1

Usulután, Paxtla 1 Usulután, pseudo 1

Usulután, vessel form A 1 Usulután, vessel form D 1 Usulután, vessel form E 1

Usulután? Chilanga? 1 Total 791

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Table 4. Usulután decorated types and varieties in the NIST Database by site. Those added to the database by the author are in column ‘Additions’ the totals for each site and type-variety are in column ‘Count’. Unnamed sites are excluded. For a full listing, see Appendix 3.

Site or Region Type/Variety Additions Total Anna Usulután Undifferentiated 3

Asuncion Mita Chilanga 1 Chilanga Polychrome 1

Ayala, Granada Usulután 14 Usulután-like 7

Calakmul Usulután Café Reservado Sobre 2 Cara Sucia Jicalapa or Izalco Usulután 1

Jicalapa Usulután 3 Olocuitla Usulután 2

Chalchuapa Chilanga Polychrome 7 Usulután, Izalco 15 Usulután, Jicalapa 5

Chinandega Usulután 1 Copan Chilanga 5

Usulután 2 13 Usulután Chilanga 1 Usulután, Izalco 2

Copan Valley Chilanga Polychrome 1 Copan Valley, CV20 Chilanga Polychrome 11 Copan, Cementerio Bolo Orange 13

Chilanga: Chilanga 14 Chilanga: Osicala 14 Izalco Usulután: Bicoños 27 Jicalapa Usulután 2

Copan, El Raizal Bolo Orange 4 Chilanga: Chilanga 2 Chilanga: Osicala 4 Izalco Usulután: Izalco 4 Izalco Usulután: Sipues 3

Copan, Los Achiotes Bolo Orange 1 Izalco Usulután: Izalco 4 Izalco Usulután: Local? 1 Chilanga: Osicala 1 Izalco Usulután: Sipues 3

Cuello Usulután Decoration 2 El Balsamo Usulután Undifferentiated 2

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Site or Region Type-Variety Additions Total El Mirador Usulután 3

Usulután, Highland 6 Usulután, Highland? 3 Usulután, imitation 1 Usulután, Verbena Ivory, Highland 4 Usulután, Pseudo 1

Flores Usulután negativo 3 Guauchia III Usulután 11

Guaytan Chilanga Polychrome 1 Ixtonton Usulután 1

Kaminaljuyu Usulután 56 Usulután decoration, local KJ? 7 Usulután? Orange 6 Verbena Red-orange. Usulután 2

La Canteada Chilanga Polychrome 11 La Maquina (Canarrana) Chilanga 3

Izalco Usulután 1 La Morena Usulután undifferentiated/MIOR 1

Usulután Variegated 1 La Noria Usulután Variegated 2

Leon Viejo Usulután, local paste 1 Leon Viejo (Isla Rosa) Usulután 1

Leon Viejo (Puerto Mongotambo) Usulután 1

Los Bordos Jicalapa or Izalco Usulután 3 Jicalapa Usulután 3 Olocuitla Usulután 1 Red rimmed Usulután 1

Los Cerritos-sur Usulután Undifferentiated 2 Los Naranjos Bolo Orange 4 7

Muerdalo Orange 1 1 Usulután, Tzuntulin Red 1 1

Madriz Usulután (San Antonio) 6 Managua Usulután 6

Usulután, local paste 2 Managua(Santa Leon #36) Usulután 1

Managua N-MA-36 Usulután 26 Usulután, falso 2

Managua N-MA-62 Usulután 1 Maria Linda Jicalapa Usulután 1

Usulután 6

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Site or Region Type-Variety Additions Total Mico Usulután Undifferentiated 1

Monte Alto Usulután, Form A 1 Usulután, Form B 2 Usulután, Form C 5 Usulután, Form D 1 Usulután, Form E 2

Moyuta Usulután Variegated 1 Naco Valley Usulután 7 7

Usulután (Red Painted) 1 Untyped Usulután 2 2

Naco Valley, La Sierra Chilanga Polychrome 1 Naco Valley, Site 11 Usulután (Red Painted) 1

Nueve Cerros Izalco Usulután 1 Usulután 34 Usulután (?) Orng 10

Obraje Jacalapa Usulután 3 Paraiso, S.R. Olocuitla Usulután 1

PC-1 El Cajon Bolo Orange 13 13 Brown Resist (Usulután?) 1 1 Orange Slipped 5 5 Orange Slipped Chilanga? 2 2 Orange Slipped, Poss. Bolo 34 34 Orange Slipped, Poss. Izalco 9 9 Orange Slipped Red Rim 1 1 Orange/Brown Slipped 1 1 Usulután 25 25 Usulután Brown Variety 2 2 Usulután Chilanga? 1 1 Usulután Izalco 29 29 Usulután Izalco? 1 1 Usulután Poss. Bolo 1 1 Usulután Poss. Izalco 1 1 Usulután Red and Black 1 1

PC-13 El Cajon Bolo Orange 2 2 Orange Slipped Poss. Bolo 14 14 Usulután 1 1

PC-22 El Cajon Bolo Orange 1 1 Orange Slipped Poss. Bolo 3 3 Orange Slipped Poss. Izalco 1 1

Quirigua Chilanga Polychrome 2 Usulután 3

Rio Grande Usulután, local 3

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Site or Region Type-Variety Additions Total

San Jose Usulután 1 Santa Barbara Chilanga Polychrome 2

Izalco Usulután 5 8 Aguaagua Tilaga or Bolo Orange 3 3 Bolo Orange Tiligua Dense Orang 1 1 Cececapa Incised? Bolo? 1 1 Chilanga Usulután 2 2 Taixiguat or Bolo Orange 2 2 Tirantes Trichrome 1 1 Usulután 1 1 Usulután? 1 1

Santa Barbara? Usulután 1 1 Santa Leticia Jicalapa Usulután 17

Usulután 3 Usulután, Puxtla 1 Usulután, Verbene Red-Orange 2 Untyped Usulután 2 2

Santa Rosa Usulután 6 Sin Cabezas Orange Ware Usulután 30

Usulután Undifferentiated 1 Usulután Variegated 1

Tiquisate Area Usulután Undifferentiated 1 Tres Marias Olocuitla Usulután 1

Ujuxte Usulután 6 Wak – El Peru Usulután? Local? 5

Western El Salvador, Volcan Chilanga 3 Yarumela Bolo Orange 13 13

Usulután 22 42 Usulután Izalco 2 2 Usulután Poss. Bolo 5 5 Usulután Poss. Izalco 4 4

Unnamed Site Chilanga Usulután 2 2 Urraco Red-Painted Resist 1 1 Usulután 5 5 Usulután Chilanga 2 2 Usulután? 2 2 Usulután Chilanga 1 1

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Canonical discriminant functions

1 2 3 4 5 6 Constant -.38 -2.77 -0.82 -6.68 2.16 0.30

K 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CR 0.04 -0.04 -0.08 0.05 -0.02 -0.06 SC 0.08 -0.15 -0.00 -0.15 0.08 0.19 FE 0.03 0.10 0.18 1.31 -0.19 1.00 RB 0.04 -0.01 -0.01 -0.01 -0.00 -0.03 SB -0.48 -0.46 -0.23 -0.75 -0.27 -0.58 CS -0.24 0.02 0.31 0.18 -0.01 -0.19 BA 0.00 0.00 -0.00 -0.00 -0.00 -0.00 LA 0.03 -0.04 0.03 0.05 -0.02 0.11 CE 0.01 0.01 -0.00 -0.00 0.00 -0.01 SM -0.61 -0.20 -0.29 -0.39 0.28 0.09 EU -0.08 -1.04 3.73 -1.26 -2.44 -0.64 YB -0.53 0.24 -0.56 0.79 -0.22 0.23 LU 3.44 2.20 1.54 3.35 -1.87 -2.51 HF -0.41 -0.11 0.16 -0.21 0.45 -0.11 TA -0.44 0.19 -0.89 -0.82 -0.08 -0.19 TH 0.17 0.28 0.08 0.25 -0.17 -0.15

Table 5. Canonical Discriminant Functions and Elemental Loadings

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Chapter 8 – Interpretations and Conclusions

Introduction

This intent of this dissertation has been to evaluate the Uapala Ceramic Sphere and

determine the behaviors responsible for the broad similarities in Usulután pottery that define it.

As the previous chapters have shown, the Uapala Ceramic Sphere is useful as a tool to recognize

broad similarities in ceramic assemblages, but attempts to explain how these similarities came to

be suffered from a lack of data regarding patterns of Usulután production and distribution. This

dissertation first attempted to tackle these questions using petrographic analysis, which was

unsuccessful due to the fine paste used in the manufacture of Usulután pottery. A second

method, INAA, was chosen because of its ability to generate reliable compositional data that can

be combined with provenience and type-variety information to identify loci of production and

patterns of distribution.

A sample of 327 sherds was chosen from 12 sites and regions in Honduras that lie within

the Uapala Ceramic sphere. The sampling strategy for selecting these sherds was to include

sherds that geographically represented as much of the Uapala Ceramic sphere as possible and

reflected as much of the full range of pastes used to produce Usulután pottery, Usulután type-

varieties, vessel types and modes of decoration as possible. Those portions of the sphere in El

Salvador and some parts of Honduras not sampled by the author are represented compositionally

in the NIST database. The 327 samples were submitted to Dr. Ron Bishop at the Smithsonian

Institution for preparation and subsequent analysis at the reactor facility at the National Institute

for Standards and Technology with the assistance of Dr. M. James Blackman. Of these submitted

samples, 229 were analyzed using INAA. Compositional data for these samples and other

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Usulután samples already in the NIST database were subjected to statistical analysis to identify

any compositional groups. Trial compositional groups were further refined and a total of 16

refined compositional groups comprised of samples submitted by the author and NIST database

samples were created. These compositional groups were examined for geographic and type-

variety membership, and patterns of production and distribution were identified.

This chapter will revisit the three behavioral models proposed for explaining the Uapala

Ceramic Sphere from Chapter 1. Each of the proposed models will be evaluated in light of the

compositional groups identified in the previous chapter and the patterns of production and

distribution that they identify. This discussion will show that a model that combines both local

production of Usulután pottery and Usulután imported from a distance best explains the patterns

seen in the compositional data. An alternative model in which commonalities in Usulután pottery

were the result of emulation with little to no Usulután pottery moving across the sphere can be

rejected. Similarly, a model in which a single locus of Usulután production produced the pottery

seen throughout the sphere can also be rejected.

Following this discussion, the chapter will present specific behaviors that could have

resulted in this combination of locally produced and imported Usulután seen throughout the

sphere. By combining provenience, type-variety, vessel form, and surface decoration data

generated from typological comparisons presented in Chapter 7 and the refined compositional

group data, there are indications that Usulután was traded over relatively long distances

throughout the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. Trade between adjacent valleys as well as trade up to

distances of approximately 150 km is supported by this analysis.

The chapter will then present the argument that Usulután pottery was a prestige good and

that at least a portion of the Usulután found throughout the sphere was used by elites as gifts or

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as part of feasting rituals. The chapter will conclude with a brief discussion of how this research

impacts continuing arguments regarding the applicability of INAA to regional questions of

pottery production and distribution. Recent concerns regarding the ability of INAA to identify

long distance exchange have been shown not to apply here.

The Uapala Ceramic Sphere: Patterns of Production and Distribution

This research was conducted in order to explain the commonalities in Usulután pottery

found throughout the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. The sphere defined by Andrews and later refined

by Demarest, Robinson and Wonderley could be explained by three separate models, which were

presented in Chapter 1. These models are:

1) The trade sphere model - Usulután was produced at a single locus somewhere

within the ceramic sphere, with its distribution reflecting a single ceramic

sphere.

2) Local manufacture and emulation - Usulután pottery was locally produced at

many sites within the Uapala ceramic sphere, with this production traveling

little to no distance from loci of production to where it was consumed.

3) Regional production and interregional exchange – this model proposes that

Usulután was produced at some or all of the sites within the Uapala Ceramic

Sphere, but this production alone does not constitute all of the Usulután

pottery present. Both local production and foreign production that was

exchanged locally are represented.

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Each of these models would be reflected in the compositional data in different ways. By

testing these expectations against the compositional data presented in the previous chapter, we

can evaluate the fit of each model in explaining the Uapala Ceramic Sphere.

The Trade Sphere Model

The trade sphere model would apply if Usulután was produced at a single locus within

the sphere. Usulután pottery shows high levels of homogeneity throughout the sphere and this

homogeneity could have been the result of exchange from a single point of production to sites

throughout the sphere. If this were the case, the compositional data generated through INAA

would cluster into a limited number of compositional groups reflecting local clays available to

potters at the locus of manufacture. Further, this small number of clays would be restricted to

those clays reflecting the range of paste appearances for Usulután vessels. This model would also

be supported if we found all of the vessels with similar pastes grouping together compositionally,

regardless of where they are found. For example all fine textured, cream firing Usulután found

throughout the sphere should sort into a single compositional group.

The compositional data supports none of these expectations. A clear compositional

separation that splits Honduran and El Salvadoran pottery is visible using only two elemental

concentrations (Figure 58). A total of 16 separate compositional groups were generated from the

INAA data. This number is much too large to reflect the range of clays used to manufacture a

single ceramic type. Further, vessels with similar paste appearances are found in multiple

compositional groups. Izalco Usulután, which is defined as having a fine cream firing paste,

appears in 11 of the 16 compositional groups. Clearly, the Uapala Ceramic Sphere was not the

275

result of production from a single locus and subsequent distribution to sites throughout the

sphere.

Figure 58. Plot of (Iron) Fe and Cr (Chromium) values for all NIST database samples. Iron is in

percent, Chromium is in parts per million. Macro symbols at right represent general regional

grouping used by NIST.

Local Production and Emulation

This model proposes that Usulután pottery was locally made throughout the Uapala

Ceramic Sphere, and that this production moved very short distances, if at all, from the locus of

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manufacture. If this model were the case, there would be a large number of compositional groups

that reflect the use of many clay sources across the sphere. Minimally, we would expect to see at

least two compositional groups per region or site sampled; one for fine textured cream paste

Izalco Usulután pottery and one for medium to fine buff paste Bolo Orange pottery. Also we

would expect to see the membership of compositional groups to be relatively homogeneous, with

a single site or possibly two sites in close proximity to each other represented in a single

compositional group.

The compositional data supports neither of these expectations. The 16 compositional

groups are too few to represent both a cream paste compositional group and a buff paste

compositional group for each of the 9 distinct regions represented in the refined compositional

groups. Further, only 3 of the 16 compositional groups are comprised of samples from a single

region. Several of the compositional groups include samples from regions that are up to 100km

apart.

Regional Production and Interregional Exchange

The third model is one of regional production and exchange. In this model, Usulután

pottery was produced at some or all of the sites where it is found, but this production alone does

not constitute all of the Usulután pottery. Both locally made pottery as well as pottery imported

from a distance would be represented. Compositional data supporting this model would identify

several loci of production for Usulután pottery. These loci would be identified either as

compositional groups dominated by samples from a single site or region or compositional

similarities between Usulután sherds and local clays. This model would also be supported if

Usulután pottery from sites identified as Usulután producers was not represented by a single

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local compositional group but by multiple compositional groups, at least one of which

represented pottery produced elsewhere.

As the review of compositional group membership in the previous chapter has shown,

this third model combines both local production and importation of Usulután pottery and is

supported by the INAA data. First, multiple loci of Usulután production have been confirmed.

Refined Group 3 is dominated by samples of Usulután pottery excavated from sites in the El

Cajon region and several kiln wasters from the El Cajon valley. This compositional group clearly

indicates El Cajon Usulután production. Three other compositional groups (10, 11 and 12) can be

interpreted as representing Usulután production in the El Cajon region based on the criterion of

abundance. Refined Group 5 is dominated by samples from Yarumela in the Comayagua Valley

and can be similarly interpreted as representing Comayagua Valley production. Refined Group 1

is a mixture of samples from Yarumela and sites in the Copan Valley and likely represents

pottery production in one of those two regions. Refined Group 2 is a mixture of samples from the

Comayagua Valley and the El Cajon region and likely represents pottery production from one of

those two regions. These Refined Compositional Groups identify two or three loci of production

for Usulután pottery within Honduras. All but one of the sherds from El Salvador in the NIST

database failed to cluster compositionally to any of the groups identified by the author. This

confirms that an additional locus or loci of production resides somewhere in El Salvador.

The compositional groups also show that none of the regions sampled by the author were

completely self-sufficient in terms of Usulután pottery production. Each of the seven regions

within Honduras represented in the Refined Compositional Groups (Santa Barbara Region,

Comayagua Valley, Copan Valley, Ulúa Valley, Lake Yojoa Region, Naco Valley, El Cajon

Region) has Usulután pottery produced in another region within the sphere (Table 6).

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Clearly Usulután pottery was moving across portions of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere, with

a portion of the Usulután found in each region within Honduras emanating from elsewhere. The

most likely explanation for the movement of Usulután pottery across the northern portion of the

Uapala Ceramic Sphere is its use as a long distance exchange good. Differences in ceramic

assemblages, differences in site planning and architecture, and a lack of evidence for rapid shifts

in material culture such as site-unit intrusions suggest that the migration of populations from one

portion of the sphere to another portion were infrequent.

Furthermore, it is unlikely that Usulután pottery would have been transported by families

or individuals faced with the prospect of moving from one portion of the sphere to another.

Usulután pottery in the Honduran portion of the sphere is dominated by service vessels and

appears to have been considered by many who used it as pottery reserved for special events.

Most Usulután vessel forms do not stack particularly well and tend to be large and heavy,

increasing their transport cost. With these high transport costs and specialized use, it is unlikely

that migrating individuals or families would have chosen Usulután pottery above other vessel

forms and type-varieties to accompany them on their travels.

Redefining the Uapala Ceramic Sphere: Usulután as an Interregional Exchange Good

The available data can be used to redefine the Uapala Ceramic sphere identified by

Andrews and later redefined by Demarest, Robinson and Wonderley. The broad similarities in

Usulután pottery seen throughout the sphere are the result of both exchange and emulation, with

varying proportions of importation and emulation. Stylistic continuity between the El Salvadoran

and Honduran portions of the sphere was largely due to emulation. A single sherd from El

Salvador was found to have been manufactured in Honduras in Refined Group 4. Neither

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Usulután pottery from Santa Leticia, Chalchuapa and Quelepa nor clay samples from across El

Salvador matched compositionally to Usulután found in Honduran contexts. Although future

analysis may identify exchange of Usulután pottery between these two portions of the sphere, the

data presented here suggest that this interaction was infrequent at best.

Within Honduras, stylistic similarities in Usulután pottery were the result of frequent

exchange combined with emulation. Localized production and distribution was confirmed for the

El Cajon region and Comayagua Valley. A third locus of production centered in the Copan

Valley is possible, but more samples from this region or clay samples are required to fully

eliminate other possible loci of production. Imported Usulután from one or more neighbors was

found in each of the regions sampled in Honduras. For regions like the Comayagua Valley, El

Cajon Region and Copan Valley, significant amounts of both local production and importation is

identified. For other regions, including Lake Yojoa, the Naco Valley and Santa Barbara region,

the majority of samples sorted into compositional groups from outside those regions. Other

valleys and regions of the Honduran portion of the sphere likely produced their own Usulután

pottery as well, but this production is still unidentified due to small sample sizes.

With long distance exchange identified as a prevalent behavior throughout the Honduran

portion of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere, the question of how this exchange was facilitated is

raised. Most of this sphere resides within the Comayagua Depression, one of four geographic

corridors that facilitate movement from north to south across Central America. Although the

presence of the Comayagua Depression provides a route by which traders could have carried

Usulután pottery, the general landscape of Honduras is not conducive to long distance travel.

Rivers may have been used for portions of trips between some of these regions, but the bulk of

the travel between any two regions in the sphere would have been on foot.

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As was discussed in Chapter 2, the vessel types that dominate Usulután pottery are plates

or dishes with out-flaring walls. These vessels often have supports, which may be of

considerable size. This vessel type is large, bulky and does not stack well, which would have

increased the transport costs of moving Usulután pottery considerably. This combination of

harsh travel conditions and large bulky goods would have made the transport of Usulután pottery

across Honduras a costly venture that likely restricted Usulután trade to a small number of

specialists who abandoned other activities for weeks or months at a time. So who were these

individuals who supported and benefitted from the transport of Usulután pottery?

As the review of trade and exchange theory in Chapter 1 has shown, the long distance

transport of goods for exchange in chiefdoms is often promoted by elites at different levels of

social rank, who have the economic, political and religious authority to sponsor such activity.

They use this authority to bring goods from a distance that are valued for the technological

advantages they allow, their aesthetic character, or simply because they show contacts to an

outside world unknown to others.

In cases where chiefs or other elite segments of a society are promoting, sponsoring, or

participating in long distance exchange, we would expect to see these goods concentrated in elite

contexts at sites where they are found or at primary sites within a settlement hierarchy.

Depending on the level of elite control over imported prestige goods, we can predict several

possible patterns of distribution. If elites controlled the distribution of prestige goods within their

society, we would expect to see restricted access to these goods among non-elite segments of the

population (Hirth 1998). If control over this distribution was weak, we would expect to see a

more even distribution of the good across settlement hierarchies and in a wider range of contexts.

281

A review of the contexts in which Usulután pottery has been found within the Honduran

portion of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere shows that Usulután pottery, although occasionally

present in non-elite contexts, is closely associated with elite households, elite burials, dedicatory

caches, and special purpose structures.

At the site of Rio Pelo in the Ulúa Valley, Muerdalo Orange Usulután is found in

association with a dense deposit of faunal material at the base of a civic-ceremonial earthen

mound. Wonderley (1991) considers the mound to be civic-ceremonial in function because it

lacks evidence of habitation similar to that found at other mound loci at the site, but does show

sign of periodic use. He argues that this mound was likely the site of ritual feasting behavior, and

that Usulután pottery was used in these feasts.

Additional evidence of specialized deposits of Usulután pottery can be found at Copan

and at Salitron Viejo in the El Cajon region. At Salitron Viejo, excavations at Operation G, Sub-

Operation 206 included a number of complete vessel interred in a dedicatory cache. This

operation-sub-operation is located at one of the principal mounds at the site. The mound has been

interpreted as an elite structure with additional adjoining ceremonial structures (Kenneth Hirth,

personal communication, 2006). Although it is not clear whether, like at Rio Pelo, faunal

materials were associated with the deposit, the evidence at El Cajon can be interpreted as another

example of the specialized use of Usulután pottery.

At Copan, four Usulután vessels are found in the Hunal tomb, which is thought to have

been the burial site of K’inich Yax K’uk’ Mo’, the first ruler of the Copan dynasty (Fash and

Fash 2000, Martin and Grube 2000, Sharer et al 1999). All four of the vessels are dishes with

outflaring walls and tripod or tetrapod mammiform supports.

282

At the site of Yarumela, Usulután pottery is found in abundance in elite portions of the

site at Operations 10, 11, 19 and 21. Operations 10 and 11 were dug into Mounds 102 and 101,

respectively. Mound 101, El Cerrito, is the largest earthen mound at the site, and was the

residence of a chief with valley-wide political control. Mound 102 is another principal mound at

the site, located directly to the east of Mound 101. This mound has been interpreted as the

residence of a shaman or other religious figure based on comparisons of Mound 102’s artifact

assemblage to other house mounds at the site (Joesink-Mandeville personal communication,

2001).

The evidence above has shown that Usulután pottery can be closely associated with elite

segments of chiefdoms within the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. Returning to the Refined

Compositional Groups discussed in Chapter 7, we see that a portion of the Usulután pottery

found in elite contexts, in special deposits and at primary sites within a settlement hierarchy was

imported. Refined Compositional Group 1, which reflects either Comayagua Valley or Copan

ceramic production, is primarily found in elite contexts or primary sites within regional

settlement hierarchies at Copan, Yarumela, Los Naranjos, Santo Domingo, and El Mirador,

Guatemala. Only one sample from this group was found in a non-elite context outside of the

Copan Valley: a single undifferentiated Usulután sherd from a rural farmstead at Site 100 in the

Naco Valley. All but two of the samples in Refined Compositional Group 2 are from Yarumela

and Salitron Viejo, both primary sites in the Comayagua Valley and El Cajon region,

respectively. Two samples are from the site of PC-13, which is a secondary site in the El Cajon

region. Refined Compositional Group 5, which likely reflects Comayagua Valley ceramic

production, is found outside the valley at the primary sites of Copan, Los Naranjos, Salitron

Viejo and Gualjoquito, with only one sample from the secondary site of Las Vegas in the Naco

283

Valley. Refined Compositional Groups 11 and 12, which both likely represent El Cajon

production, include samples at the primary site of Yarumela.

These patterns of Usulután distribution clearly show an affinity for Usulután decorated

pottery by elite segments of chiefdoms throughout the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. Time and again

this pottery is found in a range of elite contexts, and in some cases special attention was given to

how it was disposed of. While on the surface this would appear to confirm Usulután pottery as an

elite-controlled prestige good, a word of caution is warranted.

In many ways, the overall patterns of Usulután distribution at elite portions of sites, at

primary sites within settlement hierarchies and in special deposits reflect the top-down nature of

archaeology conducted throughout Honduras. Without more extensive excavations of secondary,

tertiary and rural sites within settlement hierarchies and targeted excavation of non-elite

households, clear evidence for proportions of Usulután pottery found in elite versus non-elite

contexts is largely absent for most of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere.

The patterns identified by the author showing imported Usulután pottery at primary sites

within settlement hierarchies, in elite contexts and in special deposits are likewise hindered by

the top-down approach to archaeology prevalent throughout Honduras. Because the bulk of

Usulután pottery available for sampling came from elite contexts, any imported Usulután was

likely to be associated with elites. It should also be noted that proportional or balanced

representation of elite and non-elite contexts was not one of the sampling goals of the author.

Elite Use of Usulután Pottery: Serving, Feasting and Gifting

This dissertation has shown that Usulután pottery was exchanged throughout the

Honduran portion of the Uapala Ceramic Sphere. It has also shown that elites within regional

284

chiefdoms in Honduras had a great affinity for Usulután pottery, with both localized Usulután

production as well as imported Usulután finding its way into the region. Because it is likely that

elites themselves were involved in the importation of Usulután pottery, the question must be

raised why elites would go to the trouble to import a bulky, fragile and costly prestige good from

a distance. Arguments for the specific behaviors related to the use of Usulután pottery can be

based on a combination of coding and compositional data. From these data, Usulután pottery was

likely used as a daily serving vessel for elites to reinforce status differences, as a special service

ware used in ritualized feasts with other elites to force or renegotiate status differences, and as

gifts given by elites to forge alliances and incur debt.

As Chapters 2 and 6 have shown, Usulután pottery in the Honduran portion of the sphere

is dominated by flat or dimpled bottomed plate and dishes with outflaring walls, many of which

were found to have supports. Also common for Usulután pottery in Honduras are hemispherical

bowls. Both of these vessel forms are used primarily for serving. Non-serving vessels such as

jars, ollas, tecomates and griddles are extremely rare, suggesting that Usulután decorated pottery

was considered a service ware. I argued in Chapter 6 that Usulután pottery was a labor intensive

product to manufacture, and was likely seen as an expensive and aesthetically pleasing objet

d’art used for serving foods. Compositional data showing that at least a portion of this Usulután

pottery was imported from great distances strengthens this argument considerably. In cases

where Usulután-decorated pottery was found in elite household contexts, it is likely that it was a

prestige good designed to represent and reinforce economic and political differences between

elite and non-elite segments of Honduran chiefdoms.

Contextual data from the Ulúa and Copan Valleys suggest that in some cases, Usulután

pottery was specifically used in feasting and dedication rituals. At Rio Pelo, Wonderley (1991)

285

argues that the Usulután found in association with high densities of faunal remains at the base of

a civic-ceremonial mound is evidence of it used in feasting rituals. Canuto (2004: 47) and

Schortman and Urban (2004: 324) have also argued that feasting likely took place in the Copan

Valley at the secondary site of Los Achiotes. At Salitron Viejo in the El Cajon region,

excavations at Operation G, Sub-Operation 206 included a number of complete vessels interred

in a dedicatory cache. In these instances, Usulután pottery was likely used as a prestige good in

order to reinforce or negotiate status among elites and distinguish elite from non-elites within

these regional chiefdoms. As Chapter 1 has argued, feasts were used to cement or renegotiate

alliances among elites. Usulután pottery would have served in these rituals as a way of

displaying the wealth and establishing long-distance ties of the individual or group hosting the

feast.

It is unlikely that even a moderate amount of imported Usulután found within any single

region was imported by every household in which it was found because of the prohibitive costs

of transporting Usulután from one portion of the sphere to another. More research is required to

identify distribution nodes at the regional or site-specific levels and model the specific ways in

which Usulután pottery was imported. However, the patterns of production and distribution

identified by the author thus far suggest that economic interaction between regions of the sphere

was robust, and that imported pottery may have been distributed as gifts or traded from those

who could afford to sponsor or participate in long distance exchange to those who could not. In

cases where Usulután pottery was given as a gift, it could have been used to create social or

economic debt for the recipient, cement alliances and ensure continued cooperation between

individuals or groups, or negotiate status differentials (Dalton 1977).

286

Using INAA to Examine Ceramic Production and Distribution at the Regional Level

Finally, let us return to the debate regarding the ability of INAA to address questions of

ceramic production and distribution at the regional level. Of the 229 samples that were submitted

for INAA, 135 (59%) were able to be grouped compositionally at a 95% confidence interval

based on multivariate data on 10 independent elements. Of the remaining 94 samples, another 30

were grouped through a cluster analysis and were visually refined to remove outliers. This means

that 174 out of the 229 samples submitted 76% found group membership as the result of a robust

statistical analysis. Subsequent analysis of the refined compositional groups showed that each

group was compositionally distinct from each other to a 95% confidence interval, further

supporting INAA’s ability to differentiate compositional groups at a regional scale of analysis.

Although not a specific goal of this dissertation, the applicability of INAA to studying

ceramic production and distribution at the regional level (Stoltman et al 2005, Flannery et al

2005, and Sharer et al 2006) has been supported. Because the samples submitted for analysis

were of a fine to medium paste and contained little to no visible temper, concerns about the bulk

characterization inherent in INAA were muted and samples were assigned to compositional

groups with a high level of confidence.

A plot showing elemental concentrations for chromium (Cr) and iron (Fe) for all 4948

samples in the NIST database illustrates how Honduran pottery production in general and

Usulután pottery in particular is compositionally distinct from other pottery in the database.

Figure 60 shows all 4948 samples in the NIST database plotted on two axes: iron (%) on the y

axis and chromium on the x axis (parts per million or ppm). In this figure all of the samples are

labeled based on the general region in which they were found. The samples from Honduras,

represented by light green x’s, are characterized compositionally as having a combination of low

287

amounts of iron and high amounts of chromium. The iron amount for most Honduran samples is

below 4%, and the chromium amounts for most Honduran samples ranges from 20 to 60 ppm.

Because the bulk of the Honduran samples show a compositional difference based only on two

elemental concentrations, we would expect that the addition of more elements would only serve

to further distinguish Honduran samples from others in the database. As the review in Chapter 6

has shown, the addition of 8 more elements continued to differentiate these samples, providing

convincing evidence that the majority of sherds excavated from sites in Honduras were

compositionally separate from those in the Guatemalan and El Salvadoran highlands, Motagua

Valley of Guatemala, Monte Alto region of Guatemala, Pacific Coast of Guatemala,

Suchitepeque region of Guatemala and El Salvador.

This pattern came to light as a result of the addition of 229 Honduran samples by the

author. The addition of more Honduran samples should continue to compositionally define

Honduran pottery and can serve as an early way of identifying samples from Honduras using

INAA.

288

Santa Barbara

Comayagua Valley

Copan Valley

Ulúa Valley

Los Naranjos

Naco Valley

El Cajon

Santa Leticia

El Mirador

Kaminal-juyu

1 Y/C Y/C Y/C Y/C Y/C Y/C Y/C 2 X X 3 EC 4 X X X 5 Y Y Y Y Y 6 X X X 7 X X X 8 X X X 9 X X

10 EC 11 EC EC EC 12 EC EC EC 15 X X X X X X

15.2 X X 16 X X X

16.2 X Table 6. Chart showing Refined Compositional Group membership by region. Bold and Underlined type = statistically refined group (single locus of production). Plain type = visually refined group (production locus undetermined). Y/C = Yarumela or Copan production. Y = Yarumela Production. EC

= El Cajon Production.

289

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Appendix A: Coding Sheets for Ceramic Analysis

00 Not Applicable Ceramic Codes

99 Indeterminate/Eroded

The Number Given to the Sample. Sample Number

Modern Country in Which Site is Found Country

The Region (following Pottery of Prehistoric Honduras Designation) Region

Name of Site (or Number) Site

Information and Markings on Sherd, Including Op, Sub-Op, Unit, etc Catalog Information

The Type and Variety of the Sherd, and Information on Who Typed It, If Possible Type/Variety

01 Rim 10 Support Part

02 Handle 11 Body 03 Lug 12 Adorno 04 Neck 13 Rim w/ Handle 05 Shoulder 14 Rim w/ Base 06 Base 15 Neck-Shoulder Junction 07 Spout 16 Whole Vessel 08 Spout w/ Bridge 17 Other (Specify In Comments) 09 Spout, Stirrup

01 Rope Shape

02 Bi-Loop 03 Tri-Loop Handles 04 Circular 05 Strap

06 Flat 07 Round Base 08 Dimple 09 Oval X-Section Spout 10 Circular X-Section 11 Nubbin, Solid 12 Mamiform, Solid 13 Mamiform, Hollow Supports 14 Tall, Solid 15 Tall, Hollow 16 Tall, Modeled 17 Anthropomorphic Adorno 18 Zoomorphic 19 Labial Ridge 20 Lateral Ridge 21 Lateral Flange 22 Other (Specify in Comments)

01 Jar Vessel Form

02 Tecomate 03 Plate, Yarumela 04 Plate, Basal Break (Flat base, Flaring Sides) 05 Dish/Bowl 06 Bowl, Deep 07 Bowl, Chilcal (Concave Side, Basal Angle, Convex Base) 08 Deep Basin 09 Vase, Cylindrical 10 Bowl, Cylindrical 11 Bowl 12 Other (Specify in Comments)

Measurement in centimeters of rim to shoulder Neck Height

Measurement in centimeters of the maximum and minimum sherd thickness Maximum Thickness/Minimum Thickness

Enter Code From Drawn Profile Sheet Rim Profile

Measurement in Centimeters of the rim diameter Rim Diameter

01 Brushed 06 Polished (no striations evident) Finish

02 Rough-Smoothed 07 Burnished (striations evident) 03 Well Smoothed 08 Burnished, Patterned 04 Wiped 09 Burnished, Random/Scatter 05 Matte 10 Scraped 11 Other (Specify in Comments)

01 Wash/Slip, Matte Wash/Slip

02 Wash/Slip, Polished 03 Negative Resist (Usulutan Technique)

01 White 08 Black Paint

02 Buff/Beige 09 Red on Natural/Buff/Beige 03 Yellow 10 Red on White 04 Orange 11 Red on Orange 05 Red 12 Red on Black 06 Red Hematite 13 Red & Black on Natural/Buff/Beige 14 Black on Orange 15 Other (Specify in Comments)

The Munsell Color Chart Codes for the Coloration of the Sherd. Dominant Color is considered Primary (for Izalco Usulutan, Orange would be primary)

Munsell Information – Surface Treatment – Primary Color

The Munsell Color Chart Codes for the Coloration of the Sherd. Background Color is considered Secondary (for Izalco Usulutan cream/buff/beige resist lines are secondary)

Munsell Information – Surface Treatment – Secondary Color

01 Gadrooned Surface Treatment I - Exterior

02 Pseudo-Gadrooned (Painted) 03 Impression/Punctation 04 Applique 05 Incised, Light 06 Incised, V in X-Section (Probably post-slip) 07 Incised, U in X-Section (Probably Pre-Slip) 08 Engraving (Post-Slip, Post-Wash) 09 Excised 10 Other (Specify in Comments)

01 Shell Stamp 18 Knobs, Punctation Surface Treatment II - Exterior

02 Rocker Stamp, True 19 Rosettes, Dog Pad 03 Rocker Stamp, pseudo 20 Cross hatch 04 Dentate Stamp 21 Diagonal 05 Stippling, Light 22 Vertical 06 Jab 23 Vertical, Oblique 07 Jab, Teardrop 24 Horizontal 08 Punctation, Reed 25 Horizontal, Oblique 09 Punctation, Arc/Crescent 26 Multi-Directional 10 Punctation, dash or broken line 27 Curvilinear 11 Finger/Fingernail Gouging 28 Null Category 12 Applique, fillet plain 29 Random 13 Applique, fillet fingernail slash 30 Filler 14 Applique, Fillet reed punctuation 31 Rectangles 15 Applique, Fillet Hollow Reed Punct. 32 Triangles 16 Applique, Fillet Chain Motif 33 Parallel Lines 17 Knobs, Plain 34 Wavy Lines 35 Other (Specify in Comments) Surface Treatment III - Exterior01 Single Row

Refers to Design Element Groupings

02 Double Row 03 Triple Row 04 Zoned Surface Treatment IV - Exterior01 Curvilinear


02 Linear

01 Gadrooned Surface Treatment I - Interior

02 Pseudo-Gadrooned (Painted) 03 Impression/Punctation 04 Applique 05 Incised, Light 06 Incised, V in X-Section (Probably post-slip) 07 Incised, U in X-Section (Probably Pre-Slip) 08 Engraving (Post-Slip, Post-Wash) 09 Excised 10 Other (Specify in Comments)

01 Shell Stamp 18 Knobs, Punctation Surface Treatment II - Interior

02 Rocker Stamp, True 19 Rosettes, Dog Pad 03 Rocker Stamp, pseudo 20 Cross hatch 04 Dentate Stamp 21 Diagonal 05 Stippling, Light 22 Vertical 06 Jab 23 Vertical, Oblique 07 Jab, Teardrop 24 Horizontal 08 Punctation, Reed 25 Horizontal, Oblique 09 Punctation, Arc/Crescent 26 Multi-Directional 10 Punctation, dash or broken line 27 Curvilinear 11 Finger/Fingernail Gouging 28 Null Category 12 Applique, fillet plain 29 Random 13 Applique, fillet fingernail slash 30 Filler 14 Applique, Fillet reed punctuation 31 Rectangles 15 Applique, Fillet Hollow Reed Punct. 32 Triangles 16 Applique, Fillet Chain Motif 33 Parallel Lines 17 Knobs, Plain 34 Wavy Lines 35 Other (Specify in Comments) Surface Treatment III - Interior01 Single Row


02 Double Row 03 Triple Row 04 Zoned Surface Treatment IV - Interior01 Curvilinear


02 Linear Location01 Jar Shoulders

Refers to the Location of Major Design Elements

02 Jar Necks 03 Rim 04 Handles 05 Neck Bands/ Panels 06 Zone Filler 07 Body 08 Interior (Exterior is Assumed Otherwise) 09 Other (Specify in Comments)

01 Fine to Very Fine Texture, Probably Untempered or Indeterminate (La Paz Fine) Paste

02 Medium to Coarse Texture, Grit/Sand Temper (Valle Coarse Ware) 03 Fine Texture, Orange to Buff Color, Associated with Usulutan Technique 04 Fine Texture, Cream Color, Associated with the Usulutan Technique 05 Bung Holes and Other Traces of Organic Inclusions in Paste (Valle Coarse Ware) 06 Voids Present, Due to Inadequate Kneading, (also associated with Valle Coarse) 07 Other

The Munsell Color Chart Codes for the Coloration of the Sherd’s Paste. If paste is primarily one color, but shows signs of a blackened core dues to reduction, a BC is added to the Munsell Designations.

Munsell Information – Paste Color

Vessel Form Codes Used in Coding of Sherds

Rim Types Used in Coding of Sherds

Appendix B – Sherd Coding Data

Sample Number1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435

CountryHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHonduras

El SalvadorEl SalvadorHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHonduras

SiteNaco ValleyNaco ValleyNaco ValleyNaco ValleyNaco ValleyNaco ValleyNaco Valley

Los NaranjosLos NaranjosLos NaranjosLos NaranjosLos Naranjos

Santa LeticiaLos NaranjosNaco ValleyNaco Valley

Santa Barbara?

Ste. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. Barbara

TypeVarietyUsulutanUsulutanUsulutanUsulutanUsulutanUsulutanUsulutan

Bolo OrangeBolo OrangeBolo OrangeBolo Orange

Muerdalo Orange

Tzuntulin Rouge

Urraco Red-Painted ResistUsulutanUsulutanUsulutanUsulutanUsulutanUsulutan?

Usulutan? Chilanga?Usulutan (poss. Chilanga)

UsulutanChilanga UsulutanChilanga Usulutan

Usulutan?Usulutan ChilangaUsulutan Chilanga

Usulutan IzalcoUsulutan IzalcoUsulutan Izalco

Part0111111111111101010101010114010101111011111111100101010606010110010101

Shape0000000000000000000000000007000000001100000000110000000606000016000000

VesselForm0411999911041104040404110411061111999999121199999905991212119999040404

NeckHt0000000000000099000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

MaxThick1.3.67.61.62.49.61.471.311.031.211.27.591.221.46.97.62.66.6.8.71.0.8.7.71.1.81.7.6.7.8.8.71.0.91.0

MinThick.6

.76

.46

.59

.39

.55

.34

.39

.82

.51

.75

.52

.851.45.45.48.52.5.7.6.8.6.6.6.8.4.9.6.6.7.7.6.5.5.6

RimProf0400000000000014111404011105040202000000000000000414140000020200041111

e Number1234

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

RimDia99

00

00

00

00

00

00

99

99

20

99

16

28

26

18

99

21

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

99

22

99

00

00

24

99

00

26

28

99

Finish07

11

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

08

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

Wash/Slip03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

01

03

03

03

03

03

Paint00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

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05

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05

00

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05

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06

11

05

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06

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00

00

04

MunsellPri2.5YR 5/8

10R 5/82.5YR 5/82. SYR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/85YR 7/6

2.5YR 6/899

2.5YR 4/62.5YR 4/61 0R 4/8

2.5YR 5/82.5YR 6/8SYR 5/8

2.5 YR 6/85YR 6/6

2.5 YR 6/62.5YR 6/62. SYR 6/62.5YR 6/62. SYR 6/61 0R 5/8

2. SYR 4/61 0R 4/61 0R 4/610R 5/81 0R 4/61 0R 6/6

2. SYR 6/62.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/6

MunsellSec5YR 8/2

00

10R 4/210YR 8/37.5YR 8/32.5YR 4/3SYR 8/4

7.5YR 8/47.5YR 8/37.5YR 8/210YR8/3

99

SYR 7/22.5YR 3/37.5YR 6/67.5YR 7/37.5YR 7/35YR 7/4

7.5YR 7/210YR7/27.5YR 8/210YR 8/310YR7/210YR8/37.5YR 7/410YR7/37.5YR 8/32.5YR 5/82.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/85YR 7/61 0R 3/1

7.5YR 8/37.5YR 8/4

SurfExtl00

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SurfExt233

33

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26

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SurfExtS09

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00

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99

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SurfExtS02

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Surflntl00

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Surflnt234

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SurflntS09

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01

irflnt4 Sample Number Locat01

02

02

02

00

00

00

00

02

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02

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01

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00

00

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01

02

02

00

99

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1

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35

10

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08

00

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10

03

03

08

07

08

00

07

07

00

03

03

03

09

08

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09

09

07

0803

Paste03

02

03

03

03

04

04

03

02

03

03

04

02

03

03

04/0104

02

03

02

03

02

03

02

02

03

04

03

02

02

03

02

03

04

03

Munsell Paste7.5YR 7/4 BC5YR 5/6 BC5YR 5/4 BCSYR 7/3 BC

5YR 7/35YR 7/65YR 7/4

5YR 6/8 BC7.5YR 7/6 BC

5YR 7/65YR 5/6

SYR 7/2 BCSYR 7/2 BC5YR 3/1 BC

(Core) SYR 2.5/15YR 7/3

5YR 7/3 BC7/5YR 6/62.5YR 6/67.5YR 6/3

10YR 8/1 BC2.5YR 2.5/0

SYR 7/210YR 4/1 BC7.5YR 2/0 BC

10YR7/4SYR 7/3

7.5YR 7/3 BC7.5YR 7/6

5YR 7/4 BCSYR 6/4

2.5YR 6/4 BCSYR 6/3SYR 7/3

2.5YR 6/6

Catalog InfoBag: 'Usulutan Naco Valley (1L-r) Sherd: "Ip" "123C-3/42"Bag: 'Usulutan Naco Valley (1L-r) Sherd: "Is" "12 OF 17"

Bag: 'Usulutan Naco Valley (1L-r) Sherd: "11" "HSB5"Bag: "Usulutan Naco Valley (1L-r) Sherd "In" "HCR3101A1"

Bag: "Usulutan Naco Valley (1L-r) Sherd "Im" "100A/1 HCR2"Bag: "Usulutan Naco valley (1L-r) Sherd "1-O" "123C-3/45"

Bag: "Usulutan Naco valley (1 L-r) Sherd "1r" "171 A-1"Bag: Los Naranjos Bolo Orange Usul Tech Visible Sherd: 296Bag: Los Naranjos Bolo Orange Usul Tech Visible Sherd: 580Bag: Los Naranjos Bolo Orange Usul Tech Visible Sherd: 1178Bag: Los Naranjos Bolo Orange Usul Tech Visible Sherd: 580

Bag: "Muerdalo Orange Usul Los Naranjos" Sherd: 111Bag: "D003 Salvador" Sherd: D003 TR-1-5-1J6 or TR-1-S-1J6, "37" "I"

Bag: "D019 Santa leticia Salvador" Sherd: D019 A-251Bag: Tzuntulin Rouge Usul RAJ Muerdalo Slip Los Naranjos Sherd:350

Bag: "3" Sherd "3a" "180/2"Bag: "3" Sherd: "18 A/7" "3f

Bag: "Urraco Sample #113" (local imit Chilanga) No Marks on SherdSherd: "123A-1/3"

Sherd: "HSB5/M15J1 (eroded) "HP/42" Sticker: "32"Sherd: "123C-2/6a" or "Ga"Sherd: "123C-2/61" or "G1"

Sherd: "101 A/1 ""HCR3"Sherd: "123C-2/10"Sherd: "123C-3/50"

Bag: "Usul/Usul. J-Bowl", "128A 120F/7 HJB5" "123C171A" Sherd: "123c-3/47" or "A7"Bag: "Usul/Usul J-Bowl", "128A 120F/7 HJB5" "123C171A" Sherd: "123A-1/16"

Bag: "426 Chilanga Sample" Sherd: "426 P/05 Chilanga"Bag: "426 Chilanga Sample" Sherd: "4261/07 Chilanga"

Bag: Berlin bodies Usulutan and red-Painted Usul 1L-K" Sherd: "10/A/2"Bag: Berlin bodies Usulutan and red-Painted Usul 1L-K" Sherd: "HCR3" "10/A/1" or "101A11""

Bag: Berlin bodies Usulutan and red-Painted Usul 1L-K" Sherd: "101 A/1" "HCR3"Tray: "Preclassic PSB Sherds" Sherd: "PSB 6A-28" "Izalco"

Tray:"Preclassic PSB Sherds" Sherd:" PSB 1B/5" Note: 'Izalco Usulutan"Tray:"Preclassic PSB Sherds" Sherd:" PSB 5H57" "lzalco?Pos Doub Slip"

Sample Number1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435

NotesResist: Parallel Lines (7 of them) ext. Wavy Lines (5) int., BoloPattern Burnish ext.,resist dark/light orange int. Ext faux resist.

Int. has grey/orange resist lines vs orange slip, Ext. crazed resistDefinite Bolo - double slip (cream/orange) evident, int. has resistOrange slip int. Ext orange slip w/ faded poorly done resist line

At least 6 orange resist lines on red/brown foreground. Brown int.Splotchy faded cream/orange resist int. Orange slip ext.

Top rim groove. Random splotchy resist. Definite Bolo. Ext rim grooveExt groove btm rim at rim/body. Shell effect resist on int. Resist ext.

Two slips evident: cream, orange. Orange faded. Top rim groove. Bolo.Parallel resist lines down from rim of vessel. Bolo Orange - two slips

Series of parallel vert lines down bowl ext from rim groove.oran. Slip int.Parallel curvy resist lines on ext., int. Extends down from rim

Diagonal resist lines on int/extExt: Paint post-rim combined w/ pattern burnish, lnt:Red rirn, orang slip

Red rim interior, top rim ext. paint. Faded orange slip. Good Izalco.Red rim paint int/ext; may be same vessel as sample 16, poss. Izalco

Orange wash ext., resist parallel curved lines int. bowl or plateSolid support w/ vessel body. Orange slipped sup.. Int Ext parallel line

Could be bowl or typical dimpled btm. Plate w/ outfl. Wall. Black Core.Ext. resist-line decoration. Double slip. Int. eroded, some cream visible.

Bowl or plate. Ext. has parallel resist lines. Ine eroded orange slip. Import.Solid nubbin support w/ faded roange/pink slip. Attached int. cream slip.Ext. thickened rim sherd Rim is wavy Int. ext. orange slip. Ext. red paint

Rim. Int. rim groove orange slip w/ crazing. Ext. dark org/red paint rim/bodyTop rim incised groove. Red/br rim paint. Faded org. slip. Fine DOS. import

Plate. One side haphazard resist lines, other orange slip red paint.Plate/Flat Bot. Bowl. Ext. eroded. Int. red paint and cream lines and resist

Rim is squared, direct rounded. Red-org paint on rim. Org. slip in usul, style.Plate or bowl w/ outflar rim. Red paint on rim and vessel int.Poss. Single org. slip

Body w/support. Orange slip, red paint vessel int. poss resist Gouged sup.Plate w/ high outflaring walls. Def. Izalco. Int/ext. parallel resist lines. Imp.

Ext. has groove around base. Faded resist parralel lines. Rim groove.Groove top rim. Rim heavy org slip or paint. Int. resist. Small plate. Import.

Sample Number36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

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70

CountryHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHonduras

SiteSta. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. BarbaraSta. Barbara

PC-13EICajonPC-13EICajonPC-13EICajonPC-13EICajonPC-13EICajonPC-13EICajonPC-13EICajonPC-13EICajonPC-13 El CajonPC-13 El CajonPC-13 El CajonPC-13 El CajonPC-13 El CajonPC-13 El CajonPC-13 El CajonPC-13 El CajonPC-13 El CajonPC-13 El CajonPC-22 El CajonPC-22 El CajonPC-22 El Cajon

TypeVarietyUsulutan IzalcoUsulutan Izalco

Chilanga UsulutanUsulutan

Chilanga UsulutanUsulutan?

Tirantes TrichromeBolo Orange Tiligua Dense Orange

Aguagua/Tilaga or Bolo OrangeAguagua/Tilaga or Bolo OrangeAguagua/Tilaga or Bolo Orange

Taixiguat or Bolo OrangeTaixiguat or Bolo OrangeCececapa Incised? Bolo?

Orange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. Bolo

Usulutan IzalcoBolo Orange

Orange Slipped Poss. BoloUsulutan

Orange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. Bolo

Bolo OrangeOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. Bolo

UsulutanOrange Slipped Poss. Izalco

Part0111010601010101010101010101110101110111010101010101011001010110110101

Shape0019000700000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001400000014000000

VesselForm0499111111111104111111079911990707991199041199119911999907040899999911

NeckHt0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

MaxThick.81.5.7.8.71.4.7.9.7.8.91.31.0.81.1.9.8.9.9.81.21.11.41.0.8.9.9.61.11.1.9.7.6.71.1

MinThick.4.5.6.6.6.5.5.5.5.5.5.7.7.6.7.8.6.8.5.51.1.61.1.4.5.5.6.5.6.7.8.6.5.5.9

RimProf0400020002110211020201110202000111000200040404030403110011110200000202

Sample Number36

37

38

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42

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RimDia20

00

17

00

99

99

19

22

17

99

99

24

28

99

00

99

99

00

99

00

99

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99

20

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19

00

00

99

99

Finish07

07

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Wash/Slip03

03

03

03

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03

02

99

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15

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00

MunsellPri2.5YR 5/62.5YR 5/610R 4/81 0R 5/81 0R 4/61 0R 5/810R 4/8

2.5YR 5/62.5YR 5/61 0R 5/810R 4/8

2.5YR 6/610R 5/8

2.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 5/62/5YR 6/62.5YR 6/85YR 6/8

2.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/81 0R 5/4

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/6SYR 7/61 0R 5/4

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/8SYR 7/6

2.5YR 6/810R 5/6

2, SYR 6/6

MunsellSec7.5YR 7/61 0R 5/3

2.5YR 6/67.5YR 7/42.5YR 6/47.5YR 7/210R 5/8

7.5YR 7/299

2.5YR 6/67.5YR 7/37.5YR 7/27.5YR 7/37.5YR 8/2

7.5YR 6/27.5YR 7/27.5YR 7/37.5YR 7/22.5YR 6/67.5YR 6/2

2.5YR 6/65YR 7/8SYR 7/6

7.5YR 8/2

SYR 5/2

SurfExtl00

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SurfExt200

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SurfExtS00

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Surf!nt233

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SurflntS99

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irflnt4 Sample Number Local02

02

02

01

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01

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36

37

38

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08

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00

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Paste03

03

02

02

04

02

03

02

02

02

02

02

02

02

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02

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03

03

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02

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04

MunsellPasteSYR 7/4

2.5YR 2.5/0 BC2.5YR 4/6

10R 4/62.5YR 2.5/0

2.5YR 2.5/0 BC5YR 6/2 BC

7.5YR 5/3 BC7.5YR 7/4

2.5YR 3/0 BC5YR 5/4

7.5YR 3/0 BC7.5YR 2/0 BC

5YR 6/47. SYR 6/3

2.5YR 6/8 BC7.5YR 7/42.5YR 6/8SYR 5/2

SYR 6/4 BCSYR 7/6

7.5YR6/25YR 6/4 BC

5YR 7/22.5YR 5/67.5YR 7/6SYR 6/24

5YR 7/3 BC2.5YR N3 BC10YR7/2BC

SYR 6/32.5YR 4/2

SYR 7/3 BC7.5YR 8/37.5YR 8/3

Cataloglnfo Sample NumberTray: "Preclassic PSB Sherds" Sherd:"lzalco PSB 5H/58" 36

Tray: "Preclassic PSB Sherds" Sherd: "Izalco II" "PSB 64 45" 37Tray:"Early Classic PSB Sherds" Bag: Chilanag Usul w/ variant paste 106D/19" Sherd:"PSB 106 D/19" 38Tray:"Early Classic PSB Sherds" Bag: Chilanag Usul w/ variant paste 106D/19" Sherd:"PSB 106 D/19" 39

Tray: "Early Classic PSB Sherds" Bag: "Chilanga Usulutan 2 Bowl, 3 that Fit 3K/8" Sherd:"PSB K/8" 40Bag: "Aguagua" "Tiligua dense orange Z,U, 1t" or "Z,U,H" "PSB 3C/6" 41

Bag: Tirantes Trichrome" Sherd: "PSB4C/1" or "11C/1" 42Bag:"Tiligua Dense Orange F Jar" Sherd:"PSB 114 E/6" 43

Bag:"Probable Aguagua/Tilaga" Sherd:"PSB5C/45" 44Bag:"Probable Aguagua/Tilaga" Sherd:"PSB BC-12" 45Bag:"Probable Aguagua/Tilaga" Sherd:"PSB 3C/16" 46

Bag:"Taixiguat" Sherd:"PSB 3C-28" 47Bag:"Taixiguat" Sherd:"PSB 5F/2" 48

Bag:"Cececapa Incised w/ Red" Sherd:"PSB 5H/42" 49Sherd:"PC13-U-31-b" 50Sherd:"PC13-U-31-b" 51Sherd:"PC13-u-31-b" 52Sherd:"PC13-U-31-b" 53Sherd:"PC13-U-31-b" 54Sherd:"PC13-Q-1-c" 55Sherd:"PC13-Q-4-b" 56Sherd:"PC13-Q-4-b" 57Sherd:"PC13-Q-4-b" 58Sherd:"PC13-Q-4-b" 59Sherd:"PC13-J-14-c" 60Sherd:"PC13-J-14-c" 61Sherd:"PC13-J-14-c" 62Sherd:"PC13-J-14-c" 63Sherd:"PC13-J-14-c" 64Sherd:"PC13-J-14-c" 65Sherd:"PC13-J-14-c" 66Sherd:"PC13-U-31-b" 67Bag:"PC22-C-3-C" 68Bag:"PC22-C-3-C" 69Bag:"PC22-C-3-C" 70

NotesRim has adomo dimple or knob. Int. parallel diag. resist. Ext. org. slip. Izalco.

Ext. labial flange w/ pos. faded resist. Int. grey on org resist. IzalcoOrange slip throughout, one resist line on bowl int. Red paint on rim.

Bowl base w/ basal support rim. Pos. resist splotch ext. parallel resist int. Probably double slipBowl w/ faded resist. Red paint ext., rim. Geometic designs. Cream paste.

Pre-slip groove on top of out-turned rim. Badly faded org. slip, no resist. Gray-cream color, single slip.Poorly exec geometric resist bowl int/ext. red painted rim

Plate w/ flaring walls, basal break. Int. faded org. slip, ext. resist reducedBowl w/ ext. basal groove. Org. slipped w/ resist crazing purposeful(?)

Orange slip int. Poss. Orange paint or thick slip ext. BowlOrange slip on vessel ext., top, int. of rim. Gray int. tan ext. (due to firing)Creamy gray burnished appearance (like resist lines) org. slip on rim, ext.Direct rim, but flat. Orange slip/paint on rim, vessel ext. Tan/Cream rest

Org. slip evident Possible white paint or slip. Diag. light incising ext.Org. slip or light paint on int/ext No signs of resist, but small, eroded. Bolo?

Orange slip, paint red paint on int/ext. Squared off rim. No resist. Bolo?Org. slip, traces of paint on int. rim, body. Int. rim groove. Likely Bolo.

Orange slip. Poss resist on int/ext. Very faded.Very faint orange orange slip on int/ext. Fine paste, buff/gray. Poss IzalcoInt. shows primary cream slip. Ext shows faded parallel lines. Double slip.

Ext. may have pattern burninsh for resist decor. Org. slip. Likely bolo.Faded org. slip, otherwise gray. Double rim groove. No resist. Likely bolo.Rim int./body has wide groove. Thikc org. slip, poss. Org. paint. No resist.Faded org. slip, non-linear faded resist possible on ext. Squared off rim.

Org. slip int., rim, rim ext. Org./red paint ext post-rim. No resist. Likely bolo.Org. slipped, no resist. Very fine paste buff to cream. Bolo probable.

Orange slipped ext. Faded red hematite int., int. rim.Heavy org. slip on support, vessel body. Resist lines on vessel int.

Thick org. slip or paint on ext., rim top, rim int. Faded org. slip vessel int.Org. on white slipped. No resist, but parallel incised lines int. rim. Likely bolo

Basin or high, straight walled bowl. Org. slip, no resist. Double slip, Bolo.Support w/ vessel body. Org. slipped, no resist. Poss. Bolo.

Body sherd, orange slipped, no resist.Resist lines on int./ext. Faded

Cream-buff paste. Org. slip throughout, no resist. Poss Izalco.

Sample Number7172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105


SitePC-22 El CajonPC-22 El CajonPC-22 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El Cajon

TypeVarietyOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. Bolo

Bolo OrangeOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. Bolo

Bolo OrangeOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. IzaicoOrange Slipped Poss. IzaicoOrange Slipped Poss. Izaico

Bolo OrangeUsulutan IzaicoUsulutan Izaico

Orange Slipped Poss. BoloUsulutan Izaico

Orange Slipped Poss. BoloBolo Orange

Orange Slipped Poss. BoloChilanga Usulutan

Usulutan IzaicoUsulutan

Orange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. Bolo

Bolo OrangeUsulutan Izaico

UsulutanUsulutan Izaico

Bolo OrangeUsulutanUsulutanUsulutan

Orange Slipped Poss. Bolo

Part0111110101010101110101010101010111100111111110110110111011111111011111

Shape0000000000000000000000000000000000140000000011000022001100000000000000

VesselForm0404999999999999119999000704999904991199991104031199999999999999999999

NeckHt0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

MaxThick1.1.5.7.9.81.0.9.9.61.1.7.8.71.1.7.9.6.6.7.8.7.6.6.8.6.61.1.6.6.6.8.8.8.5.5

MinThick.6.5.6.8.5.7.7.6.5.6.4.4.4.8.5.6.4.4.6.3.5.4.5.7.4.5.8.5.5.5.7.6.8.5.4

RirnProf0400001111041111001111111110111100000200000000000200000000000000020000

Sample Number7172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105

RimDia2100001925999999009924999932999900002000000000002200000000000000990000

Finish0707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707

Wash/Slip0101010101010101010101010199030301030101010303030101030303030303030301

Paint0000050000000000000000000000000000000000040400000000000000000000000000

MunsellPri2.5YR 6/62.5YR 5/82.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/61 0R 5/8

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/42.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/42.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/82.5 YR 5/85YR 6/6

2.5YR 6/81 0R 5/81 0R 5/8

2.5YR 6/810R 5/8

2.5YR 6/81 0R 5/6

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 5/61 0R 4/8

2.5YR 5/31 0R 5/65YR 6/6

2.5YR 5/62. SYR 6/82. SYR 6/8

MunsellSec7.5YR 8/2

7.5YR 8/4

7.5YR 7/210YR7/17.5YR 8/3

10YR 8/25YR 7/1

7.5YR 8/25YR 8/4

7.5YR 8/27.5YR 6/47.5YR 7/22.5YR N3/

5YR 3/17.5YR 7/6SYR 7/6SYR 6/6

2.5YR 6/8

7.5YR 7/22.5YR 6/2

SYR 6/1SYR 6/6

2.5YR 6/67.5YR 7/2

SYR 6/42.5YR 6/6

SurfExtl1000000000000000000000000000000010000000000000000000000000000000000000

SurfExt23300000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000333333333500

SurfExtS0200000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000999999990000

SurfExtS0200000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000020202020000

Surflntl0700000707000700000007070700070700100000000000000000000000000000000000

Surflnt23500000000000000000000330000003300330034000000330000333533333300333500

SurflntS0100010101000100000001020100010200990099000000990000990002999900990000


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Paste02

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MunsellPaste5YR 5/45YR 6/4

7.5YR 8/45YR 7/3

2.5YR N3/ BC7.5YR N3/ BCSYR 5/3 BC

5YR 7/25YR 7/65YR 6/310YR8/37.5YR 7/27.5YR 8/3SYR 7/6

7.5YR 7/27.5YR 7/22.5YR 6/67.5YR 7/3

2.5YR N3/ BC2.5YR 6/87.5YR 8/45YR 7/6

7.5YR 7/27.5YR 6/42.5YR 6/65YR 7/3SYR 8/35YR 7/3

2.5YR 5/6SYR 7/31 0R 6/8SYR 5/4

7.5YR 7/47.5YR 8/37.5YR 8/4

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NotesFaded orange slip. Ext. ridges on body. Top rim groove. Bolo - 2nd slip.Body sherd, basal break portion. Org. slipped, fading to It. org. No resist.

Resist int. Red paint ext.Rim has int. groove on out-turned portion. Org. slipped, no resist

Org. slipped, faded, reveals white slip. Int. rim groove. No resist, likely boloOrg. slipped. Reveals white slip. No resist, but probably Bolo

Chilcal bowl or plate w/ basal break. Double slip. No resist. Int rim grooveBowl or plate. Double slip evident. No resist. Bolo.

Orange slipped, no resist.Orange slipped, single slip poss, no resist.

Int rim groove. Orange slipped. Possible Izalco, but no resist present.Org. slipped, faded. Pair of incised lines int. rim. Poss Izalco (cream/buff)Bowl w/ outflaring rim. Incised groove rim int. Orange slipped. No resist.

Poorly executed bolo. Resist evident. Blocky, wide resist linesfaded org. slip, poss. Resist on ext. Rim has int. groove. Likely Izalco

Int. rim has incised grooves, resist parallel lines. Rim edge irregular. Izalco.Body w/ dimpled base. Org. slipped, no resist.

Support, body. Org. slip ext. Int. parallel wavy resist lines. Tiger (black/org)Orange slipped, no resist. Probably Bolo.

Plate w/ dimpled center. Org. slip ext. Int. parallel wavy lines. Likely BoloOrg. slipped w/org-red paint applied in resist style on ext. Int. org slip.

Orange slipped w/ orange-red paint on int., ext.Support w/ vessel body. Faded resist int/ext. Izalco likely- single slip.

Plate w/ faded resist parallel lines int. Ext thick slip, poss org.-red paint.Orange slipped bowl. Possible 'crazing' resist int. Bolo

Ring shaped support w/ body. Orange slipped. Crazed resist. Bolo?Poorly executed resist on plate base interior.

Faded splotchy resist on vessel int. Plate of some sort. Izalco likelyFaded resist on ext. Orange/gray.

Parallel resist lines on int/ext. Izalco.Dark org./lt. org. parallel resist lines int./ext.

Faded resist parallel lines on ext. No slip evident on int.Tiger stripe' resist on int. and ext. rim

Resist on int. ext.Orange slipped. Possibly a bowl. No resist evident. Poss. Bolo

Sample Number106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140



TypeVarietyUsulutan Izaico

Orange slipped Chilanga?UsulutanUsulutan

Orange slipped Chilanga?Usulutan

Usulutan tzalcoUsulutan

Usulutan ChilangaOrange Slipped Poss. IzaicoOrange Slipped Poss. IzaicoOrange Slipped Poss. BoloBrown or Orange Slipped

Orange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. Izaico

Orange/Brown SlippedOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. Bolo

Orange SlippedOrange Slipped Poss. Bolo


Orange Slipped Poss. IzaicoOrange Slipped Poss. Izaico


Orange Slipped Poss. BoloUsulutan Red and Black

Orange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. IzaicoOrange Slipped Poss. Bolo

Usulutan IzaicoOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Red Rim

Orange Slipped Poss. Bolo

Part0101110111011011011111170101010101010101111111011111111110010101110101

Shape0000000000001100000000050000000000000000000000000000000011000000000000

Vessel Form9907999999990399119999999999109907079911999999079999991199999999990711

NeckHt0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

MaxThick1.1.8.6.9.51.0.7.61.9.5.51.6.9.8.7.9.9.9.71.1.5.7.6.9.8.6.8.61.1.7.7.5.91.21.0

MinThick.6.6.5.6.4.7.6.5.9.5.5.7.7.7.5.7.6.7.6.7.5.6.5.6.7.5.7.5.0.6.6.4.5.7.8

RimProf1102001100110000020000001111110404111111000000110000000000111111001102

Sample Number106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140

RimDia9924002800990000230000002312999999999918000000990000000000199999009926

Finish0707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707

Wash/Slip0301030301030303030101010101010101010101030303030303030101010103010101

Paint0005000005000000050000000000000000000600000000000000009900000000000500

MunsellPri2.5YR 6/61 0R 5/8SYR 6/61 0R 5/81 0R 5/62.5YR

2. SYR 5/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/61 0R 5/4SYR 7/6SYR 6/6SYR 6/6

2.5YR 6/82.5YR 5/62.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/62. SYR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/8SYR 6/2SYR 5/11 0R 5/6

2.5YR N4/2.5YR 6/6SYR 6/6

2.5YR 6/81 0R 5/610R 5/8

2.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/6

MunsellSecSYR 7/8

2.5YR 6/87.5YR 7/21 0R 3/1

2.5YR 6/87.5YR 6/67.5YR 7/6

SYR 6/6

1 0R 5/8

SYR 8/17.5YR 7/4SYR 6/2

7.5YR 7/32.5YR 6/8SYR 7/8

2.5YR 6/42.5YR 6/67.5YR 8/22.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/67.5YR 7/41 0R 5/8

SYR 6/6

SYR 7/4

SurfExtl1000000000000000000000000007350000000700101000000006001000000005000000

SurfExt20000333300000033350000000020000000000000333300000000003500000000000000

SurfExtS0000999904000099000000000000000000000100029900000001009900000001000000

SurfExtS0000020202000002000000000002000000000200010200000001009900000001000000

Surflntl0000000000070000000000000700000006050700000000071011100000070700000000

Surf!nt23300263300002900340000000000000033330000000000009933290000330029000000

SurflntS9904009900010000000000000100000002020100000000029999000000020100000000


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106

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Paste04

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MunsellPaste

7.5YR 8/25YR 6/65YR 7/25YR 7/25YR 7/810YR8/17.5YR 8/25YR 6/4

7.5YR 7/47.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/27.5YR 7/67.5YR 8/37.5YR 7/3

7.5YR 8/2 BC7.5YR 8/25YR 6/4

7.5YR 7/27.5YR 7/3 BC5YR 6/1 BC7.5YR 8/37.5YR 7/47.5YR 8/310YR8/27.5YR 8/3

7.5YR 8/3 BC7. SYR 8/25YR 7/81 0R 5/8

7.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/3SYR 7/45YR 7/6SYR 7/4

Cataloglnfo Sample NumberBag/Sherd:"PC1-CX-40-c" 106Bag/Sherd:"PC1-CX-40-c" 107Bag/Sherd:"PC1-CX-40-c" 108Bag/Sherd:"PC1-CX-40-c" 109Bag/Sherd:"PC1 -CX-40-c" 110Bag/Sherd:"PC1 -CX-40-C" 111Bag/Sherd:"PC1 -CX-40-c" 112Bag/Sherd:"PC1 -CX-40-c" 113Bag/Sherd:"PC1 -CX-40-c" 114Bag/Sherd :"PC1-CX-40-c" 115Bag/Sherd:"PC1-CX-40-c" 116Bag/Sherd: "PC1 -CX-40-c" 117Bag/Sherd:"PC1-CX-40-c" 118

Bag: "PC1-G-9-b" 119Bag: "PC1-G-9-b" 120

Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-b" 121Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-b" 122Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-b" 123Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-b" 124Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-b" 125Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-h" 126Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-h" 127Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-h" 128Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-h" 129Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-h" 130Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-h" 131Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-h" 132Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-h" 133Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-9-h" 134Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-85-k" 135Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-85-k" 136Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-85-k" 137Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-85-k" 138Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-85-k" 139Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-85-k" 140

NotesIzalco. Splotchy resist ext. Parallel resist int (tiger- firing?). Probably plate.

Red paint on int., rim int. in a pseudo-resist decoration styleSome form of plate. Crazed resist on int. Faded parallel lines on ext.

Gray resist lines on orange slip. Parallel lines on int/ext.Exterior has red paint/resist-like zoned decoration.

Int top rim has groove. Org. slipped, crazed resist ext. Lighter slip interior.Crazed resist vessel int. Orange slipped to red slipped int/ext. Plate?

Dark orange/It, orange resist. Parallel lines. Dark orange slipped otherwiseKnob adorno bowl ext. Dk. Org./Lt. red slip on ext., rim int. Org slip resist int.

Poss. Faded resist on int., org. slipped otherwise. Likely Izalco.Similar to 115 - may be same vessel. Looks like ext. support broke off.

Org. slipped body w/ strap handle frag. Very likely bolo - good candidate local.Incised rim groove, rim int. Slip is org/brown (firing?) Crazed resist. Looks Izalco

Org. slipped ext. crosshtaching post rim. No resist, but poss. BoloExt. ridge post rim. Org. slipped, no resist. Izalco poss. Poss. Bowl or basin.

Org/Brn heavy slip/paint on ext., rim. White int. Ashy gray/cream paste. Import?Org. slipped, no resist. Two incised grooves on int. Likely Bolo.

Bowl w/ outflaring rim. Org. slipped, faded. Twin incised lines rim int. No resist.Org. slipped, no resist. Ext body groove, one int rim groove. Possible bolo.

Org. slipped, no resist. Bowl w/ outturned squared off rim. Likely Bolo.Lt. org slip/wash int. Ext parallel resist lines org/dusky red. Cream paste. Izalco.

Org/red slip int./ext. Lighter red/org. parallel resist lines on ext. Poss. Bolo.Ext. org. slipped. Int. org/red. No resist. Fine buff paste, poss. Izalco.

Org. slipped int/ext. No resist. Parallel incised lines int. rim. Poss. Bolo.Thick org. slip inl/ext. poss paint on ext. Parallel resist lines int. org. on gray. Bolo.

Ext. org. slipped w/ incised line. Int. org on gray 'tiger stripe1 resist lines. Izalco.Org/red slipped ext. Int. random resist application, shows cream base. Poss Bolo.Bowl, int. org. slip/paint. Ext resist appearance, black/dk. Org. Usulutan variant?

Support, nubbin. Org. slipped, poss. Bolo. Med. org. paste.Bowl, chilcal or plate w/ outfl. rim. Dbl. incised grooves rim ext. No resist. Izalco?Probable bowl w/ outturned rim. Single groove int. Org. slipped, no resist. Fine.

Int. dark org./red on org. resist(random) w/ incised rim groove. Ext random resist.Red/org. slip int. ext. no resist.

Cream to org. slip. Red paint top, int. of rim. No true resist, attempt? Med paste.Org. slipped, no resist. Bowl. Poss red paint or thick slip on rim ext

Sample Number141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171172173174175


SitePC-1 El CajonPC-1 Et CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El Cajon

TypeVarietyOrange Slipped

Bolo OrangeUsulutan IzalcoOrange Slipped

Orange Slipped Poss. IzalcoOrange SlippedUsulutan Izalco

UsulutanOrange Slipped

Orange Slipped Poss. IzalcoOrange Slipped

Bolo OrangeOrange SlippedOrange Slipped

Orange Slipped Poss. BoloUsulutan Izalco

Orange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. BoloOrange Slipped Poss. Bolo

Usulutan IzalcoUsulutan IzalcoUsulutan IzalcoUsulutan Izalco

UsulutanUsulutan IzalcoUsulutan Izalco

Usulutan Poss. IzalcoUsulutan Poss. Bolo

UsulutanBolo OrangeBolo Orange

Usulutan IzalcoUsulutan Izalco

UsulutanUsulutan

Part1011010101111111100114110111011101010101011411011101060111010101110617

Shape1100000000000000120000000000000000000000000000000000060000000000000811

VesselForm9999119999999999999904040699999911079904990499999904049911039999990403

NeckHt0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

MaxThick2.0.5.7.7.7.7.6.81.4.7.9.91.4.8.7.5.9.9.61.1.9.8.6.8.7.8.61.1.6.8.71.2,6.5.6

MinThick.0.5.6.5.5.5.5.7.0.5.6.5.7.5.5.3.6.8.5.8.6.4.4.4.5.6.4.8.5.4.4.6.4.4.4

RimProf0000021111000000001411000400110002111104021100040011001100091104000000

Sample Number141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171172173174175

RimDia0000992899000000002699002900990099992422233400990099000000999999000000

Finish0707070707080707070707070708070707070707070707070707070707070707070707

Wash/Slip0303030101010303010101010101010301010103030303030303030303030303030303

Paint0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

MunsellPriSYR 8/41 0R 4/110R 5/3

2.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/61 0R 4/31 0R 6/8

2.5YR 5/65YR 6/6

2.5YR 6/65YR 6/61 0R 5/6

2.5YR 6/62.5YR N4/1 0R 5/8SYR 7/61 0R 5/810R 5/6

2.5YR 6/810R 5/8

2.5YR N3/SYR 6/6SYR 4/3SYR 5/11 0R 5/8

2.5YR N4/7.5YR N4/2.5YR 5/2SYR 6/61 0R 5/81 0R 4/8SYR 5/3

2.5YR 6/8

MunsellSec

2.5YR 5/610R 5/6

7.5YR 7/4

7.5YR 7/42.5YR 6/4

7.5YR 8/27.5YR 7/4

SYR 6/67.5YR 7/6

2.5YR 6/85YR 7/85YR 6/610R 5/8

7.5YR 7/32.5YR 6/62. SYR 6/8

SYR 6/62.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/82.5YR N4/2.5YR 6/81 0R 5/8SYR 3/1

2.5YR N4/

SurfExtl0000000000100010000000000700001010000011100000100000001010101010101000

SurfExt20033330000333333000000003320003300000033330000000000003329292933273300

SurfExtS0099990000999999000000000204009900000004990000000000009900000099999900

SurfExtS0002020000010202000000000202000100000001020000000000000200000002010100

Surflntl0000000700000010000700100700051010060607071010100010101000100510000010

Surflnt20000000000000033003500333500333300272733003333332033333300290029000029

SurflntS0000000100000099000100990100029900010104010499990099999900000100000000


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02

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01

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141

142

143

144

145

146

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148

149

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151

152

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162

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09

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Paste02

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03

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02

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04

04

02

02

MunsellPaste5YR 6/4SYR 5/6

7.5YR 8/22.5YR 6/67.5YR 8/37.5YR 8/4

7.5YR 8/3 BC2.5YR 6/85YR 8/210YR8/3

7.5YR 7/2 BC7.5YR 7/6SYR 5/2

7.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/410YR8/25YR 8/2

7.5YR 7/210YR8/3

10R8/2BCSYR 5/1

7.5YR 8/22.5YR 5/610YR8/27.5YR 8/37.5YR 8/25YR 7/2

7.5YR 8/3SYR 7/6

2.5YR 7/3SYR 7/6

7.5YR 7/2SYR 7/2SYR 7/6

Catalog! nfo Sample NumberBag/Sherd: "PC1-G-85-k" 141Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-85-q" 142Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-85-q" 143Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-85-q" 144Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-85-q" 145Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-115-h" 146Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-115-h" 147Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-115-h" 148Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-115-h" 149Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-196-F" 150Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-196-F" 151Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-196-F" 152Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-196-F" 153Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-200-b" 154Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-200-b" 155Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-200-b" 156Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-200-b" 157Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-200-b" 158Bag/Sherd: "PC1 -G-200-b" 159Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 160Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 161Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 162Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 163Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 164Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 165Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 166Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 167Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 168Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 169Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 170Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 171Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 172Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 173Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 174Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 175

NotesSupport. Org. slip on vessel int faded. Support ext. faded org. slip fade to cream.

Org./dr. gray resist appearance on ext. Poss resist on int, BoloBowl w/ dk. Org./red slip. Resist lines on ext. are It.red. Poss Izalco.

Orange slipped, no resist. Interior rim groove.Org. slipped, no resist. Likely shallow plate. Very Izalco looking.

Org. slipped, ext. has pattern burnishing for faux resist appearance.Org. slip int. Ext org. slip w/ It. org. resist lines. Well executed.

Int., ext. straightresist lines, parallel. Ext color hematite red vs org/red. Int lighter.Orange slip faded to pink/org. on mammiform support. Fine paste. Poss Izalco.Plate or bowl w/ outflaring rim. Single int. rim groove. Org slip faded, no resist.

Shallow plate w/ outflaring rim. Org. slip, no resist. Poss. IzalcoOrange slipped int/ext. Poorly executed resist lines on int. Likely Bolo.

Large bowl or basin. Int. rim groove. Double ext. body groove. Org slip, no resist.Int. is white/cream (same as paste). Ext. red/org. slip w/ pattern burnish.

Org. slipped, no resist. Pair of rim grooves on int. Outflaring rim on bowl/plate.Tiger stripe resist on int/ext. (parallel lines org. set vs. black/gray) Izalco, import.Rim w/ ext knob adorno. Int poorly exec, resist, lacking red-org slip, reveals org.Eroded rim/body sherd. Single int. incised rim groove. Faded org. slip. No resist.

Faded rim sherd w/ int. rim groove. Org. slipped, no resist.Ext. has body ridges, int/ext has sets of parallel resist lines. Top rim groove. Izalco.

Plate w/ basal break or bowl. Int,ext. parallel lines. Int has post rim body groove.Plate w/ basal break or shallow basin. Ext. org. slip. Int rim groove, resist lines.

Ext. orange slip. Int. 'tiger stripe' resist (org/black-gray).Ext org. slip w. ridges. Squareed off rim. Int. parralel resist lines w/ It. slip.

Ext. org. slip. Int. cross hatch resist org. lines vs. red/brownInt. double rim groove. Tiger stripe resist. Org parallel lines, black/gray. Ext black.Base of plate, w/ missing support. Ext org slipped no resist. Int parallel resist lines.Irregular rim profile. Ext resist lines vessel body. Int resist lines, but diff. coloration.

Bowl body. Int not burnished. Ext burnished, slipped w/resist (dk. gray/org)Plate or shallow boel. Ext. groove post-rim. Int/ext poorly done resist. Similar to 169

Int/ext random splotchy resist. Rim int has light incised groove. Paste Bolo-like.Ext. parallel resist lines. Int. rendom resist. Likely Izalco.

Probably plate w/ basal break. Ext. resist red/org. Int black/gray, no resist, Izalco likely.Plate of some sort. Parallel curved resist lines. Dk. Gray on gray/black. Dimpled Base.Base, body w/ support. Shallow bowl or plate. Ext black/gray, int rand. Resist (169,170)

Sample Number176177178179180181182183184185186187188189190191192193194195196197198199200201202203204205206207208209210



TypeVarietyUsulutan

Orange SlippedUsulutan IzalcoUsulutan Izalco

Orange Slipped Poss. IzalcoBolo Orange

Usulutan Brown VarietyUsulutan Brown Variety

Usulutan IzalcoUsulutan Izalco

Usulutan Poss. IzalcoUsulutan Poss. Izalco

UsulutanUsulutanUsulutan

Usulutan IzalcoUsulutanUsulutan

Orange Slipped Poss. IzalcoUsulutan IzalcoBolo OrangeBolo Orange


Usulutan Poss. BoloUsulutanUsulutanUsulutanUsulutan

Usulutan IzalcoUsulutan IzalcoUsulutan IzalcoUsulutan IzalcoUsulutan Izalco

Part1114111110011114110111011101110111101011111111011111010111110111010101

Shape0000000011000000000000000000000000111100000000000000000000000000000000

VesselForm9907999999110407999999999911991111999999990404999999111199040704999907

NeckHt0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

MaxThick.5.8.7.51.4.9.8.61.2.7.8.9.8.5.8.8.61.91.7.7.7.7.7.9.7.9.8.8.9.6.8.91.11.1.7

MinThick,4.5.6.4.5.7.5.4.7.5.7.7.5.5.6.6.5.4.6.5.6.5.6.6.3.8.5.6.8.4.5.5.6.6.3

Rim Prof0011000000020011001100110011000200000000000000040000040200001100040411

Sample Number176177178179180181182183184185186187188189190191192193194195196197198199200201202203204205206207208209210

RimDia0099000000220099002600990099009900000000000000210000999900002200999922

Finish0707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707

Wash/Slip0301030301030303030303030303030303030103030303030303030303030304030303

Paint0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

MunsellPri5YR 6/8

2.5YR 5/61 0R 5/8SYR 6/610R 5/8

2.5YR 6/6SYR 5/3

2.5YR N4/2.5YR 6/81 0R 5/81 0R 4/81 0R 5/61 0R 5/61 0R 5/81 0R 4/2

2.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/6SYR 6/4

2.5YR 6/65YR 6/4SYR 6/4SYR 5/4

2.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/61 0R 5/61 0R 5/8

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 5/42.5YR6/62.5YR6/62.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/8

10R 5/8

MunsellSec10YR 7/4

SYR 7/4SYR 4/1

2.5YR 6/8SYR 6/3

7.5YR 6/37.5YR 7/32.5YR 6/8

10R 5/8SYR 6/610R 5/8SYR 6/6

7.5YR 7/6SYR 6/6SYR 7/8

SYR 7/6SYR 7/8

7.5YR 7/6SYR 6/6

7.5YR 6/65YR 6/4

7.5YR 7/27.5YR 7/4SYR 6/8

7.5YR 6/67.5YR 7/4SYR 6/6

7.5YR 6/6SYR 7/6SYR 7/6SYR 7/6

2.5YR 6/8

SurfExtl1005101000100010100010100700101010000010001010101000101010101010101010

SurfExt23300202000330020200029290000332933000035003333333300353333332920202029

SurfExtS9901040000990004040000000100040099000000009999999900009999990000999900

SurfExtS0202000000010002010002000200020002000002000202020200000202010001010100

Surflntl1007101000101008101010101010001000100000100010000010101010001010101010

Surflnt23333203300332033202929292935003500340000330029000033333333003333333334

SurflntS9902049900990402040000040400000000990000990000000099999999009999999999


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99

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176

177

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Paste03

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04

MunsellPaste10YR 8/2 BC

7.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/310YR7/37.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/47.5YR 8/27.5YR 7/210YR8/27.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/37.5YR 8/37.5YR 8/47.5YR 8/310YR8/37.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/25YR 7/6

7.5YR 8/3 BC10YR8/1 BC

5YR 6/62.5YR 6/8SYR 6/6SYR 4/6

2.5YR 6/67.5YR 6/47.5YR 7/4

2.5YR 6/6 BC7.5YR 6/4

7. SYR 7/3 BC10YR8/17.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/37.5YR 8/37.5YR 8/3

Catalog Info Sample NumberBag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 176Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-b" 177Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-J" 178Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-J" 179Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-J" 180Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-J" 181Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-J" 182Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-J" 183Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-j" 184Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-J" 185Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-J" 186Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-J" 187Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-J" 188Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-J" 189Bag/Sherd: "PC1 -G-206-j" 190Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-J" 191Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-j" 192Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-j" 193Bag/Sherd: "PC1 -G-206-j" 194Bag/Sherd: "PC1 -G-206-j" 195

Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-W" 196Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-W" 197Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-W" 198Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206 W" 199Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-W" 200Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-X" 201Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-X" 202Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-X" 203Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-X" 204Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 205Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 206Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 207Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 208Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 209Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 210

NotesExt. resist parallel lines org./lt org.-cream. Int faint lines dk. Org./lt.org.

Shallow dish/bowl w/ outflaring rim. Ext, int have incised grooves, org slip, no resist.Cross hatched resist (dk. Org./lt org.)on ext, int. Likely plate w/ basal break. Izalco.

Prob. Plate. Int. resist org/gray parallel lines. Ext. cross hatch resist org/gray.Dark org. slip int/ext. on support w/ body. No resist.

Bowl w/ parallel resist lines on int/ext. Poorly executed, probably Bolo.Plate w/ basal break. Brown slipped w/ resist dk brn/lt brn cross hatch. Izalco-like paste.

Chilcal bowl or plate w/ basal break, outflaring rim. Ext cross hatch. Int rim grooves.Large bowl or plate w/ basal break. Int/ext. has Crosshatch resist. Org./org.-cream.

Bowl w/ outflaring wall or plate. Incised in.t rim groove. Int random resist, ext org. slip.Body sherd w/ random resist lines on int/ext. Red/dr. org. versus org. scheme.

Bowl or plate w/ outflaring rim. Int/ext. has org vs. It. org. resist. Looks random/zoned.Similar to 187. Prob. bowl. Ext groove, int wide resist stripe. Brown/org. vs org.

Int has rim groove (incised). Lines, randomshapes in resist int. Ext same resist, color.Similar to 188. Int. black (slip/firing?) Ext. lines ot create resist zone.

Bowl. Crazed resist ext. Int. has lines, circles of resist. Org/lt. org. colorBowl. Ext has faint parallel resist lines (dk. Org/lt. Org.) Int. orange slip.Nubbin support. Org. slip ext. Vessel int. has gray/ org.-tan resist motif.

Support. Org. slip, no resist. Ext a dull gray color. Likely Usulutan, poss. IzalcoOrange slip int/ext. Ext has resist dots in a line.

Likely plate w/ basal break Brown/org. exterior. Int. brown-org w/ org. resist lines. Bolo.Plate w/ basal break or basin. Brn/org. slip int. Ext brown/org vs org resist parallel lines.Similar to 197. Ext. brn/org slip w/ org/cream resist lines. Int same color lines splotches.Bowl. Ext. thickened rim, ext. body ridge Ext org slip w/ It. resist lines (cream) lnt.org. slip

Org. slip int. Ext org slip w/ parallel resist lines. Exterior has basal groove.Org. slip ext. Org slip w/ cream resist lines int. Likely Bolo.

Bowl w/ ext. ridge post-rim. Int has resist lines org slip vs. It org lines.Bowl rim (irregular). Int/ext resist parallel lines org. vs It. org.

Body sherd w/ int/ext resist lines Org/pink vs. cream/org. colorBlack versus orange "tiger stripe" resist (parallel lines)

Bowl w/ outfl rim or sm plate w/ basal brk. Dk org/lt org resist splotch ext, line ext.Wall, base of plate. Org/lt,org resist on int/ext. Parallel lines int. Cross hatch ext. Izalco.Bowl w/ outfl. Wall or plate w. basal. Dbl incised rim groove. Ext cross hatch, int lines.

Single int. rim groove. Int. Crosshatch resist, ext. splotches. Dk org vs. It org color.Splotches resist exterior. Wavy line resist int. Dk. Org vs. org. color.

Sample Number211

212

213

214

215

216

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SitePC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El Cajon

YarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumela

TypeVarietyUsulutanUsulutanUsulutanUsulutanUsulutan

Usulutan IzalcoOrange Slipped Poss. Izalco


Usulutan Poss. BoloUsulutan

Orange Slipped Poss. IzalcoOrange Slipped Poss. Bolo

Bolo OrangeUsulutanUsulutanUsulutanUsulutan

Bolo OrangeUsulutan Izalco

UsulutanBrown Resist (Usulutan?)

UsulutanUsulutan

Usulutan IzalcoUsulutan

Bolo OrangeUsulutan Poss. Bolo

Usulutan Poss. IzalcoBolo OrangeBolo Orange

Usulutan Poss. IzalcoUsulutan

Usulutan Izalco

Part1111060111101001110611011010010111011110010601010101011001111111011101

Shape0000060000111100000600001111000000000011000600000000001100000000000000

Vessel Form9999049904999911990399999999119999079999990407999999990499049999079911

NeckHt0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

MaxThick.7.7.7.8.61.21.7.7.6.9.7.71.61.61.01.41.01.0.71.6.9.5.8.91.01.0.81.51.3.91.0.6.9.8.8

MinThick.6.6.5.5.4.4.4.4.5.6.5.7.4.6.6.6.9.6.5.4.7.4.7.7.6.5.5.4.6.5.4.5.5.7.6

RimProf0000001100000002000000020000020400110000040011021104020004000000110003

Sample Number211

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RimDia00

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Finish07

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Wash/Slip03

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.3

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Paint00

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MunsellPri2.5YR 5/61 0R 5/6

2.5YR 6/61 0R 5/8

2.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/65YR 7/6

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/65YR 6/6

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 5/42.5YR 5/32.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/810R 5/8

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/67.5YR N3/

10R 5/42. SYR 6/6SYR 6/6

2.5YR 4/25YR 6/61 0R 5/8

2.5YR 6/610R 6/6

2.5YR 6/810R 5/810R 5/8SYR 6/6

MunsellSec7.5YR 7/65YR 6/6

7.5YR 7/4SYR 6/65YR 6/4

7.5YR 7/3

10R 5/21 0R 5/1SYR 6/210R 5/1

7.5YR 8/4

SYR 7/6SYR 6/6SYR 7/4SYR 6/6SYR 7/4

2.5YR 6/87.5YR 7/4SYR 6/8

7.5YR 7/67.5YR 6/4SYR 6/6SYR 7/2

7.5YR 7/47.5YR 7/37.5YR 7/47.5YR 7/27.5YR 7/37.5YR 7/27.5YR 7/27.5YR 7/62.5YR 6/87.5YR 7/3

SurfExtl10

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SurfExt233

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SurfExtS00

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SurfExtS02

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Surflntl10

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Surflnt233

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211

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Paste03

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Munsell Paste5YR 8/1 BCSYR 8/1 BC7.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/2SYR 8/210YR8/27.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/37.5YR 8/2SYR 7/6

7.5YR 8/37. SYR 8/2 BC

10YR8/25YR 7/4

7.5YR 8/410YR8/310YR8/37.5YR 8/27.5YR 7/61 0R 5/6

7.5YR 8/37.5YR 8/210YR8/27.5YR 8/2SYR 7/1SYR 7/2

7.5YR N3/SYR 6/6

7.5YR 6/47.5YR 7/3SYR 6/6

SYR 5/4 BCSYR 6/4

7.5YR 8/47.5YR 7/3

Cataloglnfo Sample NumberBag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 211Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 212Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 213Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 214Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 215Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 216Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-211-a" 217Bag/Sherd: "PC1-M-37-J" 218Bag/Sherd: "PC1-M-37-J" 219Bag/Sherd: "PC1-M-37-J" 220Bag/Sherd: "PC1-M-37-J" 221Bag/Sherd: "PC1-M-37-J" 222Bag/Sherd: "PC1-M-37-J" 223Bag/Sherd: "PC1-M-37-J" 224Bag/Sherd: "PC1-P-4-C" 225Bag/Sherd: "PC1-T-1-h" 226Bag/Sherd: "PC1-T-1-h" 227Bag/Sherd: "PC1-T-1-h" 228

Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-C" 229Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-C" 230Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-C" 231Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-C" 232Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-C" 233Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-C" 234Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-C" 235Bag/Sherd: "PC1-G-206-C" 236

Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 2 of 6" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 237Bag: "LP1-19-B1" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 238

Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 2 of 6" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 239Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 2 of 6" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 240Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 3 of 6" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 241Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 3 of 6" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 242Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 3 of 6" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 243

Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 3 of 6 Izaico" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 244Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 3 of 6 Izaico" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 245

NotesBody sherd w/ int/ext parallel resist lines. Org vs. It org color.

Dk. Org. slip w/ It org. random resist splotches. Int. org slip, no resist.Base, wall of plate. Parallel curvilinear resist int. Random zoned resist ext. Org/lt. org.Incised rim groove on int. Ext random splotchy resist, int. cross hatch. Dr. org vs org

Plate w/ basal break. Ext. parallel lines Br/org vs. It org. Int lines, splotch org vs. lt.org/tanSupport for bowl/plate. Ext. parallel line resist dk org/lt org Int parallel lines org/lt org.

Orange slipped int/ext. No resist. Cream paste.Bowl w/ random resist lines. Ext parallel resist lines. Dk. Org/gray vs. org. Squared rim.

Parallel wavy lines, splotch resist ext. (dk org/gray vs. org) Org slip int.Plate base. Parallel resist lines int. (grey vs org) Ext parallel straight lines grey/org vs org

Body sherd w/ wide reist lines on ext. (gray/org.) Orange slip interior.Int. rim groove w/ resist lines. Org. vs. cream/org. Tan slip exterior.

Nubbin support. Int/ext org. slip, no resist.Nubbin support, ext. org. slip. Int org slip w/ resist attempt. Poorly done, maybe brushed.

Bowl w/ direct, squared rim. Poor resist lines in.t Red brown/org.Dbl rim groove (It. incised), parallel wavy lines post-rim groove. Eroded red/bm vs org.

Incised groove on int. (post-rim?), parallel wavy lines int. Ext. orange slip.Bowl w/ outflaring walls. Int, ext. paralel lines org. vs It. org/cream. Rim groove int.

Probable bowl. Int. It. org. slip. Ext. dk org. slip/ org. resist lines.Bowl or plate support w/ body. Single resist line int. org. vs. It org./cream. Ext org. slip.

Dbl incised rim groove int. Int.ext. parallel line resist. Int dk org vs It org;ext dk org vs org.Plate base, prob. w/basal break Int parallel wavy resist lines org vs It org Ext cross-hatch

Bowl rim sherd. Int. rim groove. Bin/gray color. Ext. blk/brn. w/ brown resist lines.Bowl rim w/ int. ext. random resist. Int org vs black/gray. Ext. red/org vs tan/org.

Int rim groove, resist lines org vs It. org/cream. Ext brown slip, no resist.Int rim groove. Int parallel resist lines org. vs. It. org/cream. Ext random resist org./lt org

Bowl or plate w/ outturned rim. Int. tan, ext. black-org. w/tan resist lines. Reduced?Base w/ nubbin support. Int/ext random resist lines org/lt org. Poorly applied, Bolo.

Probably a bowl. Org. slipped int/ext. w/ cream int. lines.Wall w/ plate base, shows basal break. Ext. org. slipped Int org. slip w/ cream resist linesPlate w/ basal break or bowl. Ext. org. slipped w/ 2 base ridges. Int org slip w/ resist lines

Body sherd. White slip w/ org. slip or paint. Ext org. faded to white. Int org/white bolo.Chilcal bowl w/ top rim groove, ext. basal ridge. Org slip w/ It org resist. Lines, Crosshatch

Dark org. slip int/ext. w/ It. org resist lines.Single slipped bowl. Org. slipped ext. faded w/ minimal org. left. Int. rand lined resist Izalco

Sample Number246

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SiteYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumela

TypeVarietyUsulutanUsulutan

Usulutan Poss. BoloUsulutan Poss. Bolo

UsulutanBolo Orange

UsufutanUsulutan Poss. Bolo

Bolo OrangeBolo Orange

UsulutanBolo Orange

UsulutanUsulutan

Usulutan Poss. BoloBolo Orange



UsulutanUsulutan

Bolo OrangeUsulutan Poss. Izalco


Usulutan Poss. IzalcoBolo Orange

UsulutanUsulutanUsulutanUsulutan

Bolo Orange

Part1101011111011111110111011111061101061111011101111101111101011111111101

Shape000000000000000000000000

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VesselForm99

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MaxThick1.01.0

1.3

.6

.8

1.2.6

.5

.6

1.1

.6

.9

1.0

.9

.9

.9

.9

.8

.6

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.9

.7

1.1

.5

.9

1.1

.9

.6

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1.1

.6

.8

.7

.5

1.2

MinThick.9

.7

.7

.5

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RimProf00

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Sample Number246

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RimDia00

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Finish07

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Wash/Slip03

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Paint00

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MunsellPri1 0R 4/1

7.5YR 6/22.5YR 6/65YR 7/6

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/67.5YR 7/62.5YR 5/6

10R 5/67.5YR 7/62.5YR 6/6

10R 5/65YR 6/45YR 5/2

2.5YR 6/6SYR 6/4SYR 6/65YR 5/1

2.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/61 0R 5/61 0R 6/4

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/85YR 4/1

2.5YR 6/65YR 7/6

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/6SYR 5/6

2.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/8

MunsellSecSYR 6/6

2.5YR 6/610YR8/310YR 8/310YR7/3SYR 6/6SYR 7/2

7.5YR 8/25YR 7/1

7.5YR 7/47.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/27.5YR 7/45YR 7/61 0R 5/8

7.5YR 8/27.5YR 7/27.5YR 7/2SYR 7/810YR8/210YR 7/27.5YR 7/22.5YR 6/6SYR 6/6SYR 6/6SYR 6/15YR 6/610YR8/2SYR 7/1

7/5YR 8/25YR 7/6SYR 7/1

7.5YR 7/4SYR 6/6SYR 7/4

SurfExtl10

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SurfExt233

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SurfExtS99

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SurfExtS01

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Surflntl10

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Surflnt233

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SurflntS99

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246

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Paste03

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MunsellPasteSYR 7/210YR8/3SYR 6/6

2.5YR 5/65YR 6/6

7.5YR 8/45YR 6/35YR 6/45YR 5/4

7.5YR 7/65YR 6/65YR 6/4

SYR 7/4 BC7.5YR 7/37YR 8/3

2.5YR 5/47.5YR 6/410R 5/15YR 7/4

7.5YR 6/42.5YR 5/67.5YR 6/37.5YR 7/62.5YR 6/87.5YR 7/6SYR 6/1

7.5YR 8/45YR 6/4SYR 5/45YR 5/4

SYR 7/6 BCSYR 6/4 BC7.5YR 5/3SYR 6/6

2.5YR N2.5/

Catalog! nfo Sample NumberBag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 3 of 6 Orange/Black" 246

Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 3 of 6 Orange/Black" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 247Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 4 of 6" 248Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 4 of 6" 249Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 4 of 6" 250Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 5 of 6" 251Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 5 of 6" 252Bag: "LP1 -19-B1 Bag 5 of 6" 253Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 6 of 6" 254

Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 7" 255Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 8" 256Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 9" 257Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 9" 258

Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 9" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 259Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 10" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 260Bag: "LP1-19-B1 Bag 10" Sherd: "LP1-19-B1" 261

Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 1" 262Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 1" 263Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 1" 264Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 1" 265Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 2" 266Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 2" 267

Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 2 Izalco" 268Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 2" 269

Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 3 Izalco" 270Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 3 Izalco" 271Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 3 Izalco" 272

Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 4" 273Bag: "LP1-19-B2 Bag 4 Izalco" 274

Bag: "LP1-21-D2" Sherd: "LP1-21-D2" 275Bag: "LP1-21-D3" 276

Bag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 277Bag: TP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 278Bag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 279Bag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 280

NotesBody sherd w/ tiger stripe resist. Org/blk-brn. Int. parallel lines, ext. parallel curved lines.

Ext. painted ridge. Ext tiger stripe org/blk-brn w/ parallel org. resist. Int faded org/gray linesTop rim groove, ext. body ridge. Org/pink slip int/ext. Faded. Splotchy/random resist decor.

Prob. Bowl or plate base. Int. org slip w/ parallel curved cream resist. Ext faded org slip.Bowl or plate w/o basal body frag. Org. slip int/ext. Int random cram resist decoration.

Rim w/ wide int. groove. Org slip w/ It. org. resist lines. Likely bolo.Plate assumed w/ basal break. Int org. slip It org/cream resist. Ext org slip, cream resist.

External groove. Lt. org./ cream resist on int/ext. Faded.Poss. Bowl frag. Int dk gray, eroded. Ext dk org slip w/ geometric resist wht/lt. gray 2 slips.

Dk. Org. slip ext., some crazing. Int. has random resist org vs. cream/lt.org linesExt wavy ridges, faded org. slip, poss. Faded resist lines. Int. It org w/ cream paral. Resist.

Ext crude incised parallel lines post-rim. Int faded resist lines. Dbl slip org./cream. Bolo.Ext org. slip w/ It org-pink random resist (faded). Int dk org w/ It org/tan parallel resist lines

Ext org. slipped, no resist. Int. parallel resist lines dk. Org. vs. It. org.Base to plate w/ basal break. Int tiger stripe (aprallel lines). Ext. dk org. vs. It org resist.

Int., ext. parallel resist lines. Lt org vs cream. Ext has two body ridges. Bolo.Faded. Int/ext. parallel resist lines on rim, body. Org to It. org vs. It org to cream decoration.Plate w/ basal break Ext. faded, resist visible. Int. concentric resist lines Faded org/cream.

Tiger stripe resist int. org vs dk gray/blk, parallel lines. Ext faded, but some resist.Bolo, dbl slip. Ext incised line, resist lines org vs white. Int faded, no resist but same dbl slip

Dbl. slipped. Ext has sloppy parallel lines, int. has better executed (both It. org vs white)Bolo, dbl slipped. Int/ext has poorly applied, faded resist decoration. Org. vs. gray/tan.

Chilcal bowl or plate w/ outflaring rim. Ext dk org slip Int dk org/red slip w/ org parallel linesBolo, int. faded resist org/lt. org. Ext. dk org/red vs org/

Ext. parallel resist lines dk org/lt org. Int parallel wavy lines org vs dk org to gray (reduced)Badly faded, but parallel resist lines on int./ ext. org. vs gray.

Ext. gray/black, possible resist blackened over. Int. resist lines org vs red/brown.Int/ext. org slip w/ white/gray resist (random resist ext, resist lines int)

Poss. Drinking cup or small bowl. Resist int/ext., fading. Ext. ripples on body.Bolo-dbl. slip. Tom rim grooves, ext. groove post-rim. Parallel resist int/ext org/crm/tan

Bowl w/ thin walls. Int/ext. random resist, poorly done. Dk org/gray vs. It. org.Plate w/ portion of base w/ basal break. Ext resist lines org vs gray.Int faded, no resistExt. parallel resist lines dr org vs lt.org. Poss int. resist, but eroded. Looks single slip.

Parallel thin resist lines on int. org vs It org to tan. Fine orange colored paste.Parallel resist lines int. org/tan-cream. Ext faded/eroded, no resist. Double slip.

Sample Number281

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SiteYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumelaYarumela

TypeVarietyUsulutan Poss. BoloUsulutan Poss. Bolo

UsulutanBolo Orange

UsulutanUsulutan



Usulutan Poss. IzaicoUsulutanUsulutanUsulutan

Usulutan Poss. IzaicoUsulutan


Usulutan Poss. IzaicoUsulutanUsulutan

Bolo OrangeUsulutan

Bolo OrangeUsulutanUsulutan


UsulutanUsulutan

Bolo OrangeUsulutanUsulutanUsulutan

Part1101101111110101110601060111110101110611010111060101111106010111011111

Shape0000110000000000000600060000

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00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

MaxThick.5

.8

1.6

.9

.5

.6

1.0

1.3

1.0

.5

1.2.9

1.1

.5

.9

.7

1.1

.7

.6

.6

.9

.9

.6

.6

1.3

1.1

.7

.6

.6

1.1

1.1

.6

1.1

.7

.5

MinThick.4

.6

.5

.6

.4

.4

.7

.6

.6

.5

1.0

.7

.6

.4

.6

.4

.7

.4

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.5

.8

.5

.6

.5

.5

.6

.6

.6

.6

.3

.5

Rim Prof00

04

00

00

00

00

04

04

00

00

04

00

04

00

00

11

11

00

00

00

11

04

00

00

11

11

00

00

00

04

04

00

04

00

00

Sample Number281

282

283

284

285

286

287

288

289

290

291

292

293

294

295

296

297

298

299

300

301

302

303

304

305

306

307

308

309

310

311

312

313

314

315

RimDia00

99

00

00

00

00

99

23

00

00

99

00

99

00

00

99

99

00

00

00

31

31

00

00

38

99

00

00

00

27

29

00

99

00

00

Finish07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

Wash/Slip03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

Paint00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

06

00

MunsellPri2.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/61 0R 5/8

2.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/82.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/65YR 6/6

2.5YR 6/62.5YR N3/2.5YR 5/65YR 4/1SYR 6/4

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 5/62.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/610R 5/6

2.5YR 6/610R 5/810R 5/6

2.5YR 6/61 0R 5/6

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/61 0R 6/6

2.5YR 6/6SYR 6/6SYR 6/6

MunsellSec10YR8/27.5YR 7/310YR7/310YR8/27.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/25YR 8/210YR8/27.5YR 7/410YR7/37.5YR 7/67.5YR 7/25YR 8/1

7.5YR 8/22.5YR 6/87.5YR 6/22.5YR 6/8SYR 6/6

7.5YR 7/3SYR 6/610YR8/17.5YR 8/27.5YR 7/310YR7/37.5YR 7/47.5YR 6/410YR7/27.5YR 7/47. SYR 7/210YR7/27.5YR 7/4SYR 6/1SYR 7/110YR7/3

SurfExtl10

10

10

10

10

10

00

00

10

00

00

00

10

10

00

10

00

10

10

10

00

10

00

10

01

10

10

10

09

07

10

10

10

10

10

SurfExt233

33

29

33

33

29

00

00

33

00

00

00

29

33

00

33

00

26

29

29

00

29

00

20

24

29

33

29

27

26

35

00

29

33

33

SurfExtS99

99

99

03

99

00

00

00

99

00

00

00

00

00

00

99

00

04

99

99

00

00

00

99

99

99

99

99

9

04

00

00

00

04

99

SurfExtS01

02

01

02

01

00

00

00

02

00

00

00

00

02

00

02

00

01

01

01

00

00

00

02

02

00

02

00

00

02

00

00

00

02

02

Surflntl10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

00

10

10

10

10

00

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

Surflnt233

33

34

33

33

33

33

33

00

35

29

33

33

00

33

26

33

20

29

20

33

29

33

33

20

33

33

29

35

29

33

33

29

29

33

SurflntS99

99

00

99

99

99

00

99

00

04

99

99

00

00

99

99

02

04

99

99

99

00

99

99

99

99

99

99

01

04

99

99

00

00

99


02

01

02

01

01

02

02

00

00

02

02

02

00

02

01

02

02

01

02

02

00

01

01

02

02

02

00

02

02

02

02

00

00

02

281

282

283

284

285

286

287

288

289

290

291

292

293

294

295

296

297

298

299

300

301

302

303

304

305

306

307

308

309

310

311

312

313

314

315

09

09

09

09

09

09

08

09

09

08

08

08

09

09

09

09

08

09

09

09

09

09

08

09

09

09

09

09

09

09

09

09

09

09

09

Paste02

02

03

02

02

02

02

02

02

02

02

03

02

02

02

04

02

04

03

04

03

03

02

02

02

02

02

02

04

02

02

02

02

03

03

MunsellPaste7.5YR 6/42.5YR 5/67.5YR 6/45YR 6/4

5YR 6/6 BC5YR 5/4

2.5YR 5/6SYR 2.5/1 BCSYR 5/3 BC

SYR 5/42.5YR 5/6SYR 6/4SYR 6/6

SYR 6/6 BC10R5/6BC7.5YR 8/21 0R 5/6

5YR 8/2 BC7YR 8/2

7.5YR 7/35YR 6/4

7.5YR 6/3 BC5YR 6/6

SYR 4/3 BC5YR 5/65YR 6/4SYR 6/6

2.5YR 5/4 BC7.5YR 8/3

2.5YR 5/6 BC7.5YR 5/32.5YR 5/62.5YR 5/4

7.5YR 7/4 BC7.5YR 6/4 BC

Cataloglnfo Sample NumberBag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 281Bag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 282Bag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 283Bag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 284Bag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 285Bag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 286Bag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 287Bag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 288Bag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 289Bag: "LP1-21-D3" Sherd: "LP1-21-D3" 290

Bag: "LP1-21-D4" 291Bag: "LP1-21-D4" Sherd: "LP1-21-D4" 292Bag: "LP1-21-D4" Sherd: "LP1-21-D4" 293

Bag: TP1-21-D4" 294Bag: "LP1-21-D4" 295Bag: "LP1-21-D4" 296Bag: "LP1-21-D4" 297

Bag: "LP1-21-D4" Sherd: "LP1-21-D4" 298Bag: "LP1-21-D5" Sherd: "LP1-21-D5" 299Bag: "LP1-21-D5" Sherd: "LP1-21-D5" 300Bag: "LP1-21-D5" Sherd: "LP1-21-D5" 301Bag: "LP1-21-D5" Sherd: "LP1-21-D5" 302Bag: "LP1-21-D5" Sherd: "LP1-21-D5" 303Bag: "LP1-21-D5" Sherd: "LP1-21-D5" 304Bag: "LP1-21-D5" Sherd: "LP1-21-D5" 305Bag: "LP1-21-D5" Sherd: "LP1-21-D5" 306Bag: "LP1-21-D5" Sherd: "LP1-21-D5" 307Bag: "LP1-21-D5" Sherd: "LP1-21-D5" 308Bag: "LP1-21-D5" Sherd: "LP1-21-D5" 309Bag: "LP1-21-D6" Sherd: TP1-21-D6" 310Bag: "LP1-21-D6" Sherd: "LP1-21-D6" 311Bag: "LP1-21-D6" Sherd: "LP1-21-D6" 312Bag: "LP1-21-D6" Sherd: "LP1-21-D6" 313Bag: "LP1-21-D7" Sherd: "LP1-21-D7" 314Bag: "LP1-21-D7" Sherd: "LP1-21-D7" 315

Notes3 sherds/vessel sent as 1. Poss dbl slip int/single slip ext. Org vs tan ext Org ys cream int.

Int. rim groove. Ext body groove post-rim. Int/ext. tan/white resist parallel straight lines. Bolo.Nubbin support w/ body. Int random curvilinear. Ext. similar w/ less resist. Org vs cream/tan

Sherd w/ body, base to near rim. Ext body groove. Int/ext parallel resist. Org on cream 2 slip.Ext ridge on body. Int/ext parallel wavy lines. Faded, org on tan

Ext ridges for rippled appear. Faded resist org/cream. Int parallel resist lines org vs. cream.Int. groove, incised line on rim. Ext. org. slipped. Int org w/ white resist lines.

Ext faded, slipped, no resist. Int top rim groove, int body parallel resist lines org/white. 2 slip.Body, base plate w/ basal. Int faded org slip, no resist. Ext org slip w/ tan-white resist lines.

Ext org. slip, Int org. slip w/ tan resist. Geomteric shapes, parallel curvilinear lines.Int top rim groove. Org. slip int/ext. Int. lines, vaguely parallel, but sloppy execution.

Base of plate. Ext. org. slipped. Int org. slipped w/ yellow/tan resist line. Parallel, curved. Fine.Top rim groove. Org. slip int/ext. Ext. white/cream random splotchy resist. Int paral. See 291Bowl, pos. jar. Ext It org. w/ white resist lines, possibly for gadrooning effect. Int poorly slipped

Ext org. slip, no resist. Interior org. slip w/ white-It, gray resist lines.Irreg. rim. Dbl. int. grooves post-rim. Ext rippling. Ext org/red slip w/ It org resist Int tiger stripe

Ext. org. slip. Int org slip white/It, gray resist lines. Top int. rim groove.Int. ext. tiger stripe resist. Int. cross hatch, ext. lines, splotches. Org vs. dr gray. Poss. Izalco.

Rand. Resist lines int/ext. Int org to brown vs. It org. Ext brown/org vs It. org.Int/ext. resist. Ext random, poss. Designs. Int cross hatch. Dk org vs It org to tan. Poss Izalco.

Int. rim groove post-slip. Parallel lines int. org. vs. org/brown. Ext tan/red slip.Ext thickened suared off rim. Ext ridge post-rirn. Int/ext random splotchy resist.Org vs wht/gray

Ext org/red slip. Int org. slip w/ white resist lines. Dbl. slipped.Base to a plate. Ext dr. org/red slip w/ tan Crosshatch Int. org slip w/ tan parallel lines.

Int. rim groove, Crosshatch resist org vs tan. Ext ripple incising post-rim. Org/tan slip, no resistIrreg. rim w. knobs. Int rim incised groove. Ext random resist org vs tan/It org. Int parallel lines.

Drk. Org. vs It. org. resist. Parallel lines int., ext.Int ext random resist org. vs. white/tan. Double slip.

Dk org./red slip. Sngl. Cream resist line on int. Ext rough excised line. Likely Izalco.Ext dbl groove post-rim to create zones. Int top rim groove. Int. resist zones org vs It org/tan.Ext post-rim groove, body ridge, crazed resist. Dk org. slip. Int top rim groove, lines org vs tan

Ext. body groove. Dk org slip. Int parallel resist lines org slip vs tan lines. Bolo.Ext rippling ridges, randon resist org vs It. org. Int similar org vs It org random resist.

Bowl poss. Plate w/o basal. Ext parallel lines org vs It gray. Int random resist spit. Red paint.Int/ ext. It. org/tan - It. gray resist decoration. Poorly applied.

Sample Number316317318319320321322323324325326327

CountryHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHondurasHonduras

SitePC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El CajonPC-1 El Cajon

CopanCopanCopanCopan

TypeVarietyUsulutan Poss. Izaico

UsulutanUsulutan Izaico

Bolo OrangeUsulutan

Bolo OrangeUsulutan Poss. IzaicoUsulutan Poss. Izaico

UsulutanUsulutan

Usulutan ChilangaUsulutan Chilanga

Part Shape VesselForm NeckHt MaxThick MinThick RimProf110111060101010111111001

000000060000000000000000

999903040404041199999911

000000000000000000000000

.8

.8

.7

.8

.91.2.9.9.7.6.7.7

.7

.6

.5

.7

.4

.7

.7

.6

.5

.5

.5

.5

001200001111111200000001

le Number316317318319320321322323324325326327

RimDia009900003127991900000099

Finish070707070707070707070707

Wash/Slip030303030303030303030303

Paint000000000000000000000505

MunsellPri2. SYR 5/2

10R 5/81 0R 5/8SYR 5/21 0R 5/85YR 5/1

2.5YR 5/610R 5/6

2.5YR 5/82.5YR 6/87.5YR 6/32.5YR 6/6

MunsellSec2.5YR 5/42.5YR 6/8SYR 7/85YR 6/6

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/610YR8/3SYR 7/8

2.5YR 6/62.5YR 6/6SYR 8/4

7.5YR 7/2

SurfExtl001010100000001010101010

SurfExt2002929330000002933293529

SurfExtS000000990000000000000000

SurfExtS000000020000000002000000

Surflntl101010101010100000000000

Surflnt2332933293333330000000000

SurflntS990000009900990000000000

Surflnt4 Sample Number Locat Paste MunsellPaste02

00

01

00

01

02

02

00

00

00

00

00

316

317

318

319

320

321

322

323

324

325

326

327

08

09

09

09

08

08

08

09

09

09

09

09

04

03

03

04

03

02

04

04

03

02

02

02

10YR8/27.5YR 7/6 BC

10YR8/37.5YR 8/27.5YR 7/6SYR 6/6

7.5YR 8/27.5YR 8/37.5YR 7/4

7.5YR 7/4 BCSYR 6/4

7.5YR 7/3 BC

Cataloglnfo Sample NumberBag: "PC1-CX-33-I" Sherd: "PC1-CX-33-I" 316Bag: "PC1-CX-33-I" Sherd: "PC1-CX-33-I" 317Sherd: "PC1-A2-2-m" "med. Buff/cream" 318

Sherd: "PCI-AF-(eroded) "N39-41/W117-118" "med. Buff/cream" 319Bag: "PC Operacion 1" Sherd: "PC1-l-18-g" 320Bag: "PC Operacion 1" Sherd: "PC1-l-18-g" 321Bag: "PC Operacion 1" Sherd: "PC1-l-19-f 322

Bag: "PC Operacion 1" Sherd: "PC1 -1-18-a" "6" 323Bag: "Copan Sherd Sample 45 Specimens" Sherd: "Usulutan 1" "#480" 324Bag: "Copan Sherd Sample 45 Specimens" Sherd: "Usulutan 2"" 26" 325

Bag: "Copan Sherd Sample 45 Specimens" Sherd: "Chilanga 1" 326Bag: "Copan Sherd Sample 45 Specimens" Sherd: "Chilanga 2" 327

NotesExt org. slip. Int tiger stripe resist. Sets of parallel lines org vs dk gray-black. Izalco. From PSU.Dk org to red slip int/ext. Org. resist, random splotches int/ext. Likely bowl. From PSU collect.Dk org slip int/ext. w/ org to It. org resist decor. Int parallel concentric lines Ext. random PSU

Ext dk org/brown w/ org. resist parallel lines. Int. faded, but w/ random resist org vs tan/brn PSUPoorly exec. Top rim groove. Ext dk org slip. Int dk org to red slip w/ parallel lines dk org PSU

Top rim groove. Ext org slip Int brown gray w/ org resist lines. Bolo. From PSU collection.Ext org. to bm slip. Int brn slip w/ tan parallel resist line Prob. Due to firing. Fine. Poss. Izalco PSU

Ext random resist org. vs. It. org. Int. org. slip. Fine [aste, poss. Izalco. From PSU collection.Ext org/lt org resist. Int org., poss, no slip. Tape on sherd. Jar or bowl. PSU, William SandersExt It org slip, random wht resist splotches. Int dk org/red slip. Tape on sherd. PSU Sanders

Int. org/tan slip w/ crazing resist. Ext similar but w/ red paint on top. Zoned? Plant? PSU SandersRed paint on int, top, ext rim. Org slip beneath. Ext It org w/ tan-gray rand. Resist. Int no. PSU San.

Appendix C: Usulutan Database from NIST/Smithsonian with Summaries by Type/Variety

CAL004

CAL005

CAL006

CAL007

CAL008

CG0001

CG0002

CG0003

CG0004

CG0005

CG0006

CG0007

CG0008

CG0009

CG0010

CG0011

CG0012

CG0019

CG0020

CG0021

CG0022

CG0023

CG0024

CG0025

CG0026

CG0027

CG0028

CG0029

CG0030

CG0031

CG0032

CG0033

CG0034

CG0035

CG0036

CG0037

CG0038

CG0039

CG0040

CG0041

CG0043

CG0044

4778

891 NV2

3101

2579

2577

5826

1221 NV4

841

45

5390

1524 ULUA3

2045

892 NV2

1344

1204 HON1

1343

5404

5894

1212 HON1

642

641

2044

5388

5589

547

5899

529

528

1323 NV6

1308

1307

5585

4987

1247 YAR1

1334 NV6

653

1714 SV2

1715 SV2

508 PC

532

5405

5387

XBOLO

XBOLO

XBOLO

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

XBOLO

XBOLO

XBOLO

XBOLO

HON

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

HON

USUL

USUL

CHILANGA

USUL

HON

HON

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

CHILANGA

USUL

CHILANGA

USUL

XBOLO

BOLO

Los Naranjos SE Meso





Naco Valley

Naco Valley

Naco Valley

Naco Valley

Naco Valley

Naco Valley

Naco Valley

Los Naranjos

Los Naranjos

Los Naranjos

Los Naranjos

Los Naranjos

SantaBarbara?unknown

unknown

unknown

unknown

unknown

unknown

unknown

Ste. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Type

Aguagua Tilaga orBolo Orange

Aguagua Tilaga or Bolo 1Orange Count

Aguagua/ Tilaga or

Bolo OrangeAguagua/ Tilaga or Bolo 1Orange Count

Aguagua/ Tilage orBolo Orange

Aguagua/ Tilage or Bolo 1

Orange Count

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

CG0045

CG0046

CG0047

CG0048

CG0049

CG0050

CG0051

CG0052

CG0053

CG0055

CG0056

CG0057

CG0058

CG0059

CG0060

CG0061

CGOOE2

CG0063

CG0064

CG0065

CG0066

CG0067

CG0068

CG0070

CG0071

CG0072

CG0073

CG0074

CG0076

CG0077

CG0078

CG0079

CG0080

CG0081

CG0082

CG0083

CG0084

CG0085

CG0086

CG0088

2188

530

848

533

525

744

1681

1742

1656

757

729

739

2582

1478

53

754

1662

663

731

605

1923

1709

1455

635

1201

759

551

517

512

586

515

1346

520

6316

601

594

1347

602

567

1374

PC

SV2

SV2

SV1

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

SV2

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC-

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

XBOLO

XBOLO

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

XBOLO

HON

USUL

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

XBOLO

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

XBOLO

HON

HON

XBOLO

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

XBOLO

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

Sta. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Sta. Barbara

Sta, Barbara

PC-13 El^ Caion

PC-13 El1 Caion

PC-13 ElCajonPC-13 El

1 CaionPC-13 El

1 CaionPC-13 El

^ CaionPC-13 El

1 CaionPC-13 El

1 CaionPC-13 ElCaionPC-13 ElCaion

PC-13 ElCajon

1

PC-13 El1 Cajon

PC-13 El1 Cajon

PC-13 ElCaionPC-13 El

1 CaionPC-13 El

1 CaionPC-13 El

1 CaionPC-22 El

1 CaionPC-22 El

1 CaionPC-22 ElCaionPC-22 El

1 CaionPC-22 El

1 CaionPC-1 El Cajon

1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El CajonI

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

Bolo Orange Count

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

Bolo Orange

54

Bolo Orange TiliguaDense Orang

Bolo Orange Tiligua Dense 1Orang Count

Brown Resist(Usulutan?)

Brown Resist (Usulutan?) 1Count

Cececapa Incised? Bolo?Count

Chilanga Count

Cececapa Incised?Bolo?

Chilanga

Chilanga

Chilanga

Chilanga

Chilanga

Chilanga

Chilanga

Chilanga

Chilanga

Chilanga

Chilanga

Chilanga

12

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

PC-1 El CajonCG0089

CG0090

CG0091

CG0094

CG0095

CG0096

CG0097

CG0098

CG0101

CG0106

CG0107

CG0109

CG0110

CG0111

CG0112

CG0114

CG0115

CG0117

CG0121

CG0122

CG0123

CG0125

CG0126

CG0127

CG0131

CG0133

CG0137

CG0138

CG0139

CG0140

CG0141

CG0142

CG0143

CG0147

CG0148

CG015Q

CG0151

CG0152

CG0153

CG0154

CG0155

1490

1657

563

1205

1717

745

726

7SS

1658

573

1716

550

1726

613

510

1719

627

746

630

516

629

1733

572

728

595

755

604

1354

1376

1349

1567

553

1353

623

628

753

514

631

606

PC

SV1

PC

PC

SV2

PC

PC

PC

SV1

PC

SV2

PC

SV2

PC

PC

SV2

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

SV2

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

ULUA3

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

HON

XBOLO

HON

USUL

HON

HON

XBOLO

XIZALCO

XBOLO

XIZALCO

HON

USUL

HON

USUL

XIZALCO

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

HON

XIZALCO

USUL

XIZALCO

USUL

XIZALCO

HON

HON

HON

HON

XBOLO

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

USUL

HON

HON

XBOLO

HON

HON

HON

1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El CajonI

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Cbilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome

Chilanga Polychrome Count 37

Chilanga Usulutan

Chilanga Osulutan

Cbilanga Usulutan

Chilanga Usulutan Count 3

Chilanga: Chilanga

Chilanga: Chilanga

Cbilanga: Chilanga

Chilanga: Chilanga

Chilanga: Chilanga

Cbilanga: Chilanga

Chilanga: Chilanga

Chilanga: Chilanga

Cbilanga: Chilanga

Chilanga: Chilanga

Cbilanga: Chilanga

PC-1 El CajonCG0156

CG0157

CG0160

CG0161

CG0162

CG0164

CG0165

CG0166

CG0168

CG0169

CG0170

CG0171

CG0172

CG0175

CG0176

CG0177

CG0178

CG0178

CG0179

CG0180

CG0181

CG0182

CG0183

CG0184

CG0188

CG0190

CG0191

CG0193

CG0194

CG0204

CG0205

CG0207

CG0208

CG0209

CG0210

CG0211

CG0214

CG0215

CG0216

CG0217

CG0218

CG0220

6315

612

509

538

600

513

561

5399

2143

557

5398

610

591

621

6314

614

555

625

592

626

570

564

618

582

596

583

465

607

620

566

617

519

622

608

597

624

560

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

PC

XIZALCO

HON

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

USOL

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

USUL

XBOLO

X80LO

XIZALCO

USUL

USUL

HON

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

HON

XBOLO

HON

HON

XIZALCO

USUL

USUL

XIZALCO

USUL

HON

USUL

USUL

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

USUL

USUL

USUL

XIZALCO

HON

USUL

USUL

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

PC-1

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

El

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Cajon

Chilanga: Chilanga Count

Chilanga: Osicala Count

Chilanga: Osicala orFavala Count

Chilanga: Chilanga

Chilanga: Chilanga

Chilanga: Chilanga

Chilanga: Chilanga

Chilanga: Chilanga

16

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

Chilanga: Osicala

18

Chilanga: Osicalaor Favela

1

Izalco Usulut n:Biconos

Izalco Usulut n:BiconosIzalco Usulut n:Biconos






Izalco Usulut n:BiconosIzalco Dsulut n:

Biconos








Izalco Usulut n:

Biconos

CG0222

CG0225

CG0228

CG0229

CG0230

CG0231

CG0232

CG0233

CG0236

CG0237

CG0238

CG0239

CG0241

CGQ243

CG0245

CG0246

CG0247

CG0248

CG0251

CG02 53

CG0254

CG0255

PC

727 PC

619 PC

6313 PC

581 PC

599 PC

609 PC

598 PC

518 PC

5849

5847

5389

5429

588

5574

569

5988

1249 YAR1

556

589

1538 ULUA3

847

USUL

XBOLO

USUL

USUL

XBOLO

XIZALCO

USUL

HON

XIZALCO

USUL

XBOLO

XIZALCO

XBOLO

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

USUL

USUL

XIZALCO

XBOLO

XIZALCO

XBOLO

XBOLO

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

PC-1 El Cajon1

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

1245 YAR1

CG02 57

CG0258

CG0259

CG0260

CG0262

CG0263

CG0264

CG0265

CG0268

CG0269

CG0270

CG0271

CG0273

1203 HON1

6125

1117 ULUA1

571

5848

6126

750

584

1720 SV2

3018 CHAL1

1721 SV2

5816

1244 YAR1

XBOLO

USUL

USUL

XIZALCO

USUL

USUL

USUL

XBOLO

USUL

XBOLO

XIZALCO

USUL

USUL

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Izalco Usulut n: BiconosCount

Izalco Usulutan Count

Izalco Usulutan: Izalco

Count

Izalco Usulutan: Local?

Count

Izalco Usulutan: Sipues

Count

Jacalapa Usulutan Count

Jicalapa or IzalcoUsulutan Count

1200 HON1Yarumela




Izalco Usulut n:BiCOBOS




Izalco Usulut n:

Biconos


27

Izalco Usulutan

Izalco Osulutan

Izalco Usulutan

Izalco Usulutan

Izalco Usulntan

5

Izalco Osulutan:

IzalcoIzalco Usulutan:

Izalco

Izalco Usulutan:Izalco

Izalco Usulutan:

Izalco

Izalco Usulutan:IzalcoIzalco Osulutan:

IzalcoIzalco Usulutan:Izalco

Izalco Usulutan:Izalco

8

Izalco Osulutan:

Local?

1

Izalco Usulutan:Sipues

Izalco Usulutan:SipueaIzalco Usulutan:

Sipues

Izalco Usulutan:

SipuesIzalco Usulutan:

Sipues

Izalco Usulutan:Sipuea

6

Jacalapa Usulutan

Jacalapa Usulutan

Jacalapa Usulutan

3

Jicalapa or IzalcoUsulutan




4

Jicalapa Osulutan

CG0276

CG0280

CG0282

CG0283

CG0284

CG0288

CG0291

CG0295

CG0296

CG0297

CG0300

CG0302

CG0307

CG0309

CG0310

CG0311

CG0312

CG0313

CG0316

5855

5431

840

5523

585

1541 ULUA3

1305

1306

603

2860

758

1248 YAR1

1202 HON1

593

5423

587

839

5428

615 PC

USUL

XBOLO

XIZALCO

USUL

XBOLO

XBOLO

USUL

USUL

XIZALCO

USUL

XIZALCO

USUL

USUL

XIZALCO

USUL

USUL

XBOLO

USUL

XIZALCO

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yaruroela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

PC-1 El Cajon1

CG0318

CPA311

CPA312

PC-1 El Cajon

PC-1 El Cajon

PC-1 El Cajon

PC-1 El CajonCG0321

CG0324

CG0325

CG0326

CPA1208

1755 PC

5744

5839

4939

3999

XBOLO

USUL

USUL

HON

USUL

1

Copan

Copan

Copan

SAN JOSE SUCHITEPEQUEZ

3914 AMATLE USUL

SIN CABEZAS ESCUINTLA, LFOPAC. COAS







SIN CABEZAS ESCUINTLA, LFO

PAC. COAS

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Usulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan

Jicalapa Dsulutan Count 20

Jicalpa Usulut n

Jicalpa Usulut n Count 1

Jiclapa Usulut n

Jiclapa Dsulut n Count 1

Muerdalo Orange

Muerdalo Orange Count 1

Olocuitla Dsulutan

Olocuitla Dsulutan

Olocuitla Dsulutan

Olocuitla Dsulutan

Olocuitla Dsulutan

Olocuitla Dsulutan Count 5

Orange Slipped

Orange Slipped

Orange Slipped

Orange Slipped

Orange Slipped

Orange Slipped Count 5

Orange slippedChilanga?

Orange slippedChilanga?

Orange slipped Chilanga? 2Count

Orange Slipped

Poss. Solo

CPA317

CPA318

CPA319

CPA320

CPA321

CPA322

CPA323

CPA324

CPA325

CPA326

CPA327

CPA328

CPA329

CPA330

CPA331

CPA332

CPA333

CPA334

CPA335

CPA33S

CPA337

CPA338

CPE001

CPE004

CPE005

CPE006

CPE007

CPE008

CPE009

CPE010

CPE011

CPE012

3967

4084

4029

3862

4083

2783

3972

3970

1933

3975

3864

4068

3910 AMATLE

2764

4067

4055

3913 AMATLE

4065

3731 NPC

3912 AMATLE

3965

4033

5974

5581

2952 FRH2A

3169 FRH1

3143 FRH1

5163

3144 FRH1

3139 FRH1

3156 FRH1

3180 FRH1

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

PCOAST

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

SIN CABEZAS

Nueve

Nueve

Nueve

Nueve

Nueve

Nueve

Nueve

Nueve

Nueve

Nueve

Cerros

Cerros

Cerros

Cerros

Cerroa

Cerros

Cerros

Cerros

Cerros

Cerros

ESCUINTLA, LFOPAC. COAS

















ESCUINTLA, LFOPAC . COAS





PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoastPacificCoast

PacificCoast

Pacific

Coast

Usulutan

Ivory

Usulutan (?) OrngUsulutan (?) OrngUsulutan (?) OrngUsulutan (?) OrngUsulutan (?) OrngUsulutan (?) OrngUsulutan (?) OrngUsulutan(?) Orng

Orange SlippedPoss. Bolo

Orange SlippedPoss . Bolo





















Orange SlippedPoss . BoloOrange SlippedPoss . BoloOrange SlippedPoss. BoloOrange SlippedPoss. BoloOrange SlippedPoss . BoloOrange SlippedPoss . BoloOrange SlippedPoss . BoloOrange SlippedPoss. BoloOrange SlippedPoss . BoloOrange SlippedPoss . Bolo

CPE099

CPE100

CPE101

CPE102

CPE103

CPE104

CPE105

CPE106

CPE107

CPE108

CPE109

CPE110

CPE111

CPE112

CPE113

CPE114

CPE115

CPE116

CPE117

CPE118

CPE119

CPE120

3164 FRH1

5157

5970

5174 NFRO

2041

5971

3865

5503

3147 FRH1

5973

3166 FRH1

3064

5968

5956

5512

678

5517

2961 FRH2A

5955

679

5233

5972

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

Nueve Cerros

Maria Linda

Maria Linda

Maria Linda

Maria Linda

Maria Linda

Maria Linda

Ujuxte

Ujuxte

Ujuxte

Ujuxte

Ujuxte

Ujuxte

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoastPacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

Pacific

Coast

Usulutan(?)0rng

Orange Slipped Boss. BoloCount

Orange Slipped Poss.Izalco Count

Orange Slipped Red RimCount

ORANGE HARE UsulutanCount

Orange/Brown SlippedCount

Red rimned Usulutan Count

Taixiguat or Bolo Orange

Count


34

Orange SlippedPoss. Izalco








Orange SlippedPoss. Izalco9

Orange Slipped RedRim1

ORANGE WAREUsulutan

1

Orange/BrownSlipped

1

Red rinmed Usulutan

1

Taixiguat or BoloOrange

Taixiguat or BoloOrange

2

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Uaulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

CPE121

CPE122

CPE123

CPE 124

CPE125

CPE126

CPE127

CPE128

CPE129

CPE130

CPE 141

CPE142

CPE143

CPE144

CPE145

CPE151

CPE152

CPE153

CPE154

CPE155

CPE157

CPE158

CPE159

CPE161

CPE 162

CPE173

CPE174

CPE175

CPE176

CPE177

CPE178

CPE179

CPE180

CPE182

CPE265

CPE266

CPE267

CPE270

CPE271

ELS012

ELS013

ELS014

ELS015

ELS016

4122

5510

5507

5976

5246

2968

4804

2069

5511

4174

5904

2023

2988

4599

2859

3775

3012

6122

3765

3004

3218

2994

3025

5515

6061

5219

3411

2934

4802

3207

4639

2068

5319

5232

4131

4636

4653

5236

5509

5320

3014

5689

5812

3001

NFRO

FRH2A

NFRO

CHAL1

CHALT

CHAL1

CHAL1

CHAL1

CHAL1

FRH2A

FRH1

CHftLl

CHAL1

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

J1CALAPA

JICALAPA

JICALAPA

JICALAPA

JICALAPA

IZALCO

IZALCO

IZALCO

IZALCO

IZALCO

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

XJACALAPA

" XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerroa

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Nueve Cerros

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Obraje

Obraje

Obraje

Paraiso, S.R.Tres Marias

Los Bordos

Los Bordos

Los Bordos

Los Bordos

Los Bordos

Los Bordos

Los Bordos

Los Bordos

Maria Linda

La Maquina(Cantarrana)

La Maquina(Cantarrana]

La Maquina{Cantarrana}

La Maquina(Cantarrana)

Nueve Cerros

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

PacificCoast

SE Me so

SE Me so

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE PacificCoast

SE PacificCoast

SE PacificCoast

SE PacificCoast

SE PacificCoastSE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

IzalcoUsulutanIzalcoUsulutanIzalcoUsulutanIzalcoUsulutanIzalcoUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulxitan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Osulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

ELS017

ELS018

ELS019

ELSQ2Q

ELS021

ELS022

ELS030

ELS032

ELS102

ELS103

ELS104

ELS105

ELS106

ELS107

K JO 62 8

KJ0629

KJ0630

MS 192 5

HS2031

MS2032

MSC/15

MSC/17

MSC/18

MSC/19

MSC045

MSC046

MSC047

MSC048

MSC049

MSC050

MSC058

MSC059

MSC060

MSC061

MSC062

MSC063

MSC301

MSC302

MSC303

MSC304

MSC305

MSC346

MSCC38

MSCC39

MSCC41

2984 CHAL1

2997 CHAL1

5958

5691

5914

2992 CHAL1

2077

3058

4348

5175

2996 CHAL1

5642

2882

3769 NPC

5960

3059

3092

6086

5590

5582

5694

2922 FRH2A

4976

4978

2602

4917

1698 SV2

5645

5599

5703

5814

5714

5696

5716

5911

5717

5767

5752

5835

4866

5141

535

5800

4943

4638

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

XJACALAPA

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

CHI LAN GA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

USUL

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

Santa Leticla

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

Cara Sucia

Cara Sucia

Cara Sucia

Cara Sucia

Cara Sucia

Cara Sucia

Kaminal juyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminal juyu

nonproveniencednonproveniencedChalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Copan Valley,CV20

Copan Valley,CV20

Copan Valley,CV20

Copan Valley,CV20

Copan Valley,CV20

Copan Valley,CV20

Copan Valley,CV20

Copan Valley,CV20

Copan Valley,CV20

Copan Valley

Copan Valley,CV20

Copan Valley,CV20

Copan

Copan

Copan

Copan

Copan

Copan

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meao

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

JicalapaUsulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

MSD001

MSD002

MSD004

MSD005

MS DO 3 5

MS DO 37

MSD042

MSD044

MSD046

MSD096

MSD097

MSD121

MSD157

MSD158

MSD159

MSD191

MSD192

MSD193

MSD194

MSD195

MSD196

MSD197

MSD300

MSD330

MSD331

MSD333

MSD334

MSD337

MSD338

MSD339

MSD339

MSD340

MSD341

MSD342

MSD34 5

MSD346

MSD347

MSD348

MSD349

MSD3SO

MSD351

MSD352

MSD353

MSD354

MSD365

MSD366

MSD367

2822 CHALT

2851 CHALT

2916 FRH2A

4642

5234

6060

1127 ULUA1

1363 COPX1

4340

5815

5863

2970 CHAL1

2975 CHAL1

1757

4759

6047

5881

5244

5225

5701

4176

5238

2061

4237

3063

2823 CHALT

3028 CHAL1

3756 AMATLE

3010 CHAL1

1768

1769

3027 CHAL1

2831 CHALT

2087

5883

5763

5708

5730

5874

2019

5684

5090

1565 ULUA3

5044

1723 SV2

1369 COPX1

562

IZALCO

IZALCO

IZALCO

IZALCO

HIGH

HIGH

IZALCO

IZALCO

USUL

HIGH

HIGH

IZALCO

USUL?

USUL?

USUL?

USUL?

USUL?

USUL?

USUL?

USUL?

USUL?

USUL?

USUL

JICALAPA

JICALAPA

JICALAPA

JICALAPA

IZALCO

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Chalchuapa

Kaminaljuyu

Kami nal juyu

Copan

Copan

Santa Leticia

Cuello

Cuello

Chalchuapa

Rio Grande

Rio Grande

Rio Grande

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminal j uyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

El Mirador??

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

?

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

Santa Leticia

SantaLetiiciaSanta Leticia

?

Copan

Copan

Copan

Copan

Copan

Copan

Copan

Copan

Copan

Copan

Yarumela

Yarumela

Yarumela

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Dsulutan

Dsulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

MSD368

MSD369

MSD370

MSD371

MSD372

MSD373

MSD374

MSD375

MSD376

MSD377

MSD378

MSD379

MSD380

MSD381

MSD382

MSD383

MSD384

MSD385

MSD387

MSD388

MSD389

MSD390

MSD391

MSD393

MSD394

MSD395

MSD396

MSD397

MSD398

MSD399

MSD400

MSD401

MSD4 02

MSD530

MSD531

MSD532

MSD533

MSD534

MSD535

MSD536

MSD537

MSD538

MSD539

MSD540

MSD541

MSD542

MSD543

5570

5427

639

632

5425

752

751

1246 YAR1

5753

5751

549

836

837

634

5942

559

611

554

633

5424

732

1251 YAR1

5432

1250 YAR1

616

1367 COPX1

1368 COPX1

1722 SV2

6289

4221

4219

4347

4350

2979 CHAL1

3003 CHAL1

2943 FRH2A

5293

6042

3884

3580 MFC

2779

3403

3334

5878

3337

5288

2904 FRH2A

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

IZALCO

IZALCO

IZALCO

IZALCO

IZALCO

USUL

HIGH

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Guauchia III SE Meso











Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Yarumela SE Meso

Chalchuapa SE Meso

Chalchuapa SE Meso

Chalchuapa SE Meso

Chalchuapa SE Meso

Chalchuapa SE Meso

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kafflinaljuyu

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Oaulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Dsulutan

MSD544

MSD54 5

MSD54 6

MSD547

MSD548

MSD549

MSD550

MSD551

MSD552

MSD553

MSD554

MSD555

MSD556

MSD557

MSD558

MSD559

MSD560

MSD561

MSD562

MSD563

MSD564

MSD566

MSD567

MSD568

MSD569

MSD570

MSD571

MSD572

MSD573

MSD574

MSD575

M5D584

MSD585

MSDE01

MSDE02

MSDE03

MSDE04

MSDE05

MSDE06

MSDE07

MSDE08

MSDE09

MSDE10

MSDE11

MS DEI 5

MSDE16

MSDX20

5964

5237

2950 FRH2A

4668

667

2778

5806

5239

5785

5732

5886

2989 CHAL1

3062

5249

5786

2910 FRH2A

4516

5890

5879

2896 FRH2A

5651

5777

5281

3081

2890 FRH2A

3306

3929

3945

5254

5248

5295

3262

3094

5817

5776

5653

5766

5010

5804

1887

5757

5805

5654

5745

5729

5500

5901

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador

El Mirador

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutaa

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

MSDX21

MSDX22

MSDX55

MSG300

MSG328

MSG329

MSG529

MSG530

MSG531

MSG532

MSG533

MSG534

MSG671

MSG672

MSG673

MSG675

MSG677

MSG679

MSG680

MSG681

MSG682

MSG683

MSG684

MSIT69

MSK675

MSK677

MSM041

MSM042

MSM047

MSM049

MSM097

MSM098

MSM099

MSM122

MSM123

MSM124

MSM125

MSNV13

MSNV16

MSNV17

MSQ046

5784

5738

6301

5919

1989

5038

2953 FRH2A

3315

5235

3088

3069

2010

4444

4485

3551 NPC

3380

3186 FRH1

3869

4162

5986

2909 FRH2A

3185 FRH1

5252

1860

5819

644

5803

682

5916

681

2183

4956

683

5736

5787

5862

5790

526

2046

527

4954

USUL

USUL

USUL

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL?

USUL

USUL

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

HON

HON

CHILANGA

El Mirador SE

El Mirador SE

El Mirador

Guaytan

Asuncion Mita

Asuncion Mita

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Monte Alto

Monte Alto

Monte Alto

Monte Alto

Monte Alto

Monte Alto

Monte Alto

Monte Alto

Monte Alto

Monte Alto

Monte Alto

Ixtonton

Calakmul

Calakmul

La Canteada

La Canteada

La Canteada

La Canteada

La Canteada

La Canteada

La Canteada

La Canteada

La Canteada

La Canteada

La Canteada

Naco Valley,La Sierra

Naco Valley

Naco Valley,Site 11

Quirigua

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Usulutan

Usulutan

Usulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Usulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan

Osulutan Count 279

OsulutanChilanga)

Osulutan (poss. Chilanga) ICount

OsulutanPainted)

OsulutanPainted)

Osulutan (Red Painted) 2Count

OsulutanAntonio)

OsulutanAntonio)

UsulutanAntonio)UsulutanAntonio)

OsulutanAntonio)

OsulutanAntonio)

Osulutan (San Antonio) 6Count

OsulutanVariety

OsulutanVariety

Osulutan Brown Variety 2Count

Osulutan

(poss.

(Red

(Red

(San

(San

(San

(San

(San

(San

Brown

Brown

Cafe

Reaervado Sabre

MSQ048

MSQ111

MSQ112

MSQ113

MSSB07

MSSB08

MSSB09

219 Ql

183 Ql

5918

5621

5866

645

4962

USUL

USUL

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

MSSB30

MSSB31

MSZ084

MSZ173

MSZ174

MSZ511

MSZ513

M32516

MSZ517

MSZ518

MSZ519

MSZ535

MSZ550

MSZ694

MSZ696

MSZ706

MSZ714

MSZ721

MSZ724

MSZ730

NPA046

NPA047

NPA048

NPA049

NPA050

NPA051

NPA052

NPAA45

NPAA46

5004

4808

4192

4196

3309

3585 NPC

3087

3086

5196

5258

4393

5824

3314

2052

5580

3987

2978 CHAL1

2787

3953

4290

4735

4223

2763

6101

5924

4733

680

3133

2762

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

Quirigua SE Meso

Quirigua SE Meso

Quirigua SE Meso

Quirigua SE Meso

Santa Barbara SE Meso





El Balsarno

La Morena

La Morena

5909-1B3

Usulutan Cafe ReservadoSabre Count

Osulutan CafeReservado Sobre

2

Los Cerritos-sur

Anna

Anna

Anna

4502-2B1

5103-1B1

Sin Cabezas

Sin Cabezas

Moyuta

TiquisateareaLa Noria

Ayala,GranadaAyala,GranadaAyala,GranadaAyala,GranadaAyala,GranadaAyala,GranadaAyala,GranadaAyala,GranadaAyala,Granada

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Usulutan Chilanga

Usulutan Chilanga Count 1

Usulutan Chilanga?

Usulutan Chilanga?

Usulutan Chilanga?

Usulutan Chilanga? Count 3

Usulutan decoration

Usulutan decoration

Usulutan decoration Count 2

Usulutandecoration, localKJ?Osulutan

decoration, localKJ?

Usulutandecoration, localKJ?

Usulutandecoration, local

KJ?

Usulutandecoration, localKJ?

Usulutandecoration, localKJ?Usulutan

decoration, localKJ?

7Usulutan decoration,local KJ? Count

Usulutan I, Form C Count

Usulutan I, Form C

1

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

NPAA47

NPAA48

NPAA49

NPAA50

NPAA51

NPAA52

NPAA53

NPAA54

NPAA55

NPAA56

NPAA57

NPAA58

NPAA59

NPM002

NPM071

NPM072

NPM073

NPM074

NPM075

NPM076

NPM077

NPM083

NPM088

NPM092

NPM093

NPM097

NPN201

NPN202

NPN203

NPN204

NPN205

NPN206

NPN207

NPN208

NPN209

NPN210

NPN211

NPN213

1904

4224

4705

4349

4736

4225

1953

4734

3235

4222

4737

3095

666

4672

4669

4684

4691

4720

4655

4716

4679

4706

4702

4673

4681

4645

4683

4689

4671

733

4695

4703

4675

4676

4685

4418

4682

4688

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL?

USUL

USUL

USUL?

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL?

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

Ayala, SE MesoGranadaAyala, SE MesoGranadaAyala, SE MesoGranadaAyala, SE MesoGranadaAyala, SE MesoGranadaAyala, SE MesoGranadaAyala, SE MesoGranadaAyala, SE MesoGranadaAyala, SE MesoGranadaAyala, SE MesoGranadaAyala, SE MesoGranadaAyala, SE MesoGranadaAyala, SE MesoGranadaManagua SE Meso

Managua SE Meso

Managua SE Meso

Managua SE Meso

Managua SE Meso

Managua SE Meso

Managua SE Meso

Managua SE Meso

Chinandega(norte)

Leon Vie jo (Isla Rosa)

Leon Vie jo(PuertoMongotambo)

Leon Vie jo

Managua SE Meso(Santa Leon136)

Managua, N-MA- SE Meso36Managua, N-MA- SE Meso36Managua, N-MA- SE Meso36Managua, N-MA- SE Meso36Managua, N-MA- SE Meso36

Managua, N-MA- SE Meso36

Managua, N-MA- SE Meso36Managua, N-MA- SE Meso36

Managua, N-MA- SE Meso36Managua, N-MA- SE Meso36Managua, N-MA- SE Meso36Managua, N-MA- SE Meso

36

Usulutan Izalco Count

Usulutan Izalco? Count

Usulutan negative Count

Usulutan Izaloo

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Osulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Osulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Osulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

Usulutan Izalco

36

Usulutan Izalco?

Usulutan Izalco?

2

Usulutan negative

Usulutan negative

Usulutan negative

3

Usulutan Poss. Bolo

Usulutan Poss. Bole

Usulutan Poss. Bolo

Usulutan Poss. Bolo

Usulutan Poss. Bolo

Usulutan Poss. Bolo

Usulutan Poss. Bolo Count 6

Usulutan Poss. IzalcoCount

Usulutan Red and BlackCount

Usulutan Poss.Izalco





5

Usulutan Red andBlade1

Usulutan

UndifferentiatedUsulutanUndifferentiated

UsulutanUndifferentiated

UsulutanUndifferentiated

UsulutanUndifferentiatedUsulutan

Undifferentiated

NPN214

NPN215

NPN216

NPN217

NPN218

NPN219

NPN220

NPN221

NPN224

NPN225

NPN226

WPN227

NPN228

NPN229

NPN230

NPN232

NPN237

NPN917

NPN918

NPN919

NPN920

NPN921

4680

4701

4692

4700

4699

4746

4696

4686

4693

4678

4417

4667

4677

4687

4704

4663

4694

4S97

4698

1529 ULUA3

4690

4586

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

NIC

NIC

NIC

NIC

NIC

RPF028

RPF031

XIZALCO

XIZALCO

Managua, N-MA-SE Meso36

Managua, N-MA-SE Meso36Managua, N-MA-SE Meso36


Managua, N-MA-SE Meso

36











Managua, N-MA-SE Meao36

Managua, N-MA-62Madriz

Madriz

Madriz

Madriz

Madriz

Flores

Flores

Flores

Western El SE MesoSalvador,Site 20

Western El SE MesoSalvador,volcanic

Western El SE MesoSalvador,lower Rio

Copan, SE MesoCementerio

UP0002

UP0003

UP0004

366 MM

580

897 NV2

XBOLO

XBOLO

XBOLO

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

Usulutan UndifferentiatedCount

UsulutanUndifferentiated/MIOR

Usulutan

Undifferentiated

Usulutan

UndifferentiatedUsulutan

UndifferentiatedUsulutan

Undifferentiated10

Usulutan

Undifferentiated/HI

OR1

Usulutan Variegated

Usulutan Variegated

Usulutan Variegated

Usulutan Variegated

Usulutan Variegated

Usulutan Variegated

Dsulutan Variegated

Usulutan Variegated Count 7

Usulutan(?)Orng

Usulutan(?)Orng

Usulutan(?)Orng

Usulutan(?)Orng

Usulutan(?)Orng

Usulutan(?)Orng

Usulutan(?)Orng

Usulutan(?)Orng

Usulutan(?)Orng

Usulutan(?)Orng

Usulutan(?)Orng Count

Usulutan, false Count

10

Usulutan, ChilangaRed-painted

Usulutan, Chilanga Red- 1painted Count

Usulutan, falso

Usulutan, false

2

Dsulutan, Form B

Usulutan, Form B

Usulutan, Form B Count 2

Usulutan, Form C

Usulutan, Form C

Usulutan, Form C Count 2

Usulutan, Form E

Usulutan, Form E Count 1

Usulutan, Highland

Usulutan, Highland

Usulutan, Highland

UP0005

UP0006

UP0007

UP0008

UP0009

UP0010

UP0011

UP0012

UP0013

UP0014

UP0017

UP0018

UP0019

UP0020

UP0021

UP0022

!JPQ023

UP0024

UP0025

UP0026

UP0027

UP0028

UP0029

UP0030

UP0031

UPOQ32

UP0033

UP0034

UP0035

UP0036

UP0037

UP0038

UP0040

UP0041

UP0042

UP0043

UP0044

373 MM

5447

5852

5773

5907

5602

5931

5630

5885

5095

5380

5113

5622

5577

5684

5712

5831

5566

5900

5598

5681

1516 COPX2

1518 COPX2

1521 COPX2

5596

5720

1519 COPX2

5903

5882

1515 COPX2

1520 COPX2

394 MM

5391

5832

1514 COPX2

1513 COPX2

5877

XBOLO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

YIZALCO

XBOLO

XJACALAPA

XBOLO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

XBOLO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

XBOLO

HON

XBOLO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

XBOLO

XBOLO

YIZALCO

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Me go

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

Usulutan,

Usulutan,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan, Highland Count 6

Usulutan,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan, Highland? Count 3

Osulutan ,

Usulutan, imitation Count 1

Usulutan,

Uaulutan ,

Usulutan,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan,

Usulutan,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan,

Usulutan,

Usulutan,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan,

Usulutan,

Usulutan, Izalco Count IS

Usulutan,

Usulutan,

Usulutan,

Usulutan,

Usulutan,

Usulutan,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan, Jicalapa Count 9

Usulutan,

Usulutan,

Usulutan ,

Usulutan, local Count 3

Highland

Highland

Highland

Highland?

Highland?

Highland?

imitation

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Izalco

Jicalapa

Jicalapa

Jicalapa

Jicalapa

Jicalapa

Jicalapa

Jicalapa

Jicalapa

Jicalapa

local

local

local

UPOQ53

UPOQ54

UP0056

UP0057

UP0058

UP0059

UP006Q

UP0061

UP0062

UP0063

UP0064

UP0065

UP0066

UP0067

UP0068

UPOQ69

UP0073

UP0074

UP0075

UP0076

UP0077

UP0078

UP0079

UP0080

UP0081

UP0082

UP0083

UP0084

(JP0109

UP0278

UP0279

UP0280

1517 COPX2

5699

5597

5618

649

5771

5678

5069

5774

5578

5706

5051

5813

5493

4927

5440

5695

656

5077

5575

5869

5727

5075

5779

5726

5065

5754

647

5055

5842

113

5400

XBOLO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

XBOLO

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan,Cementerio

Copan, ElRaizal

Copan, ElRaizal

Copan, ElRaizal

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

SE

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

Meso

UP0284

UP0285

UP0286

UP0287

393 MM

1206 HON1

YIZALCO

XBOLO

XBOLO

XBOLO

Copan, Los SE MesoAchiotes

Copan, El SE MesoRaizal

Copan, Los SE MesoAchiotes



Copan, El SE Meso

Raizal

Usulutan, local pasteCount

Usulutan, ORANGE WARECount

Usulutan, Paxtla Count

Usulutan, psuedo Count

Usulutan, Tzuntulin RedCount

Usulutan, local

pasteUsulutan, local

pasteUsulutan, localpaste3

Usulutan, ORANGE

Usulutan,HARE

Usulutan,

muzUsulutan,

WAREUsulutan,

WAREUsulutan,MAREUsulutan,

WAREUsulutan,

WAREUsulutan,

WAREUsulutan,

WAREUsulutan,

WAREUsulutan,

HAREUsulutan,

WARE

Usulutan,

HAREUsulutan,

WAREUsulutan,

WAREUsulutan,WAREUsulutan,

WARE

Usulutan,WAREUsulutan,WAKEUsulutan,

WAREUsulutan,

WARE

Usulutan,WARE

Usulutan,WARE

Usulutan,

WAREUsulutan,WARE

Usulutan,

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORAHSE

ORANGB

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

ORANGE

Usulutan, ORANGE

WAREUsulutan, ORANGE

WARE

29

Usulutan, Paxtla

1

Usulutan, psuedo

1

Usulutan, Tzuntulin

RedUsulutan, Tzuntulin

Red2

Usulutan, VerbenaIvory, HighlandUsulutan, VerbenaIvory, Highland

UP0288

UP0289

UP0290

UP0291

UP0292

UP0293

UP0294

UP0295

UP0296

UP0297

UP0298

UP0323

UP0324

UP0325

UP0326

UP0327

UP0328

UP0329

WP0096

WP0103

WP0105

WP0107

WP0108

WHIV01

WWIV02

WWIV03

WHIV04

WWIV05

WWIV06

WWIV07

WWIV08

WWIV09

WHIV10

5138

5840

5137

1211 HON1

5470

5845

466

49

5407

2599

576

5140

5088

5454

5455

5089

5658

1167

1884

121

1885

1886

1889

3570 NPC

3871

3936

3870

3867

5867

5889

5873

5905

5778

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

XBOLO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

YIZALCO

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

CHILANGA

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

USUL

Copan, LosAchiotes

Copan, LosAchiotes

Copan, LosAchiotes

Copan, ElRaizal

Copan, ElRaizal

Copan, ElRaizal

Copan, ElRaizal area

Copan, LosAchiotes ar



Copan, LosAchiotes


Copan, ElRaizal

Copan, ElRaizal

Copan, ElRaizal

Copan, ElRaizal

Copan, ElRaizal

Copan, ElRaizal

Wak -El Peru

Wak -El Peru

»ak -El Peru

Wak -El Peru

Wak -El Peru

Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

SE Meso

Central UsulutanHighlands





V. IvoryGuatemala

V. IvoryGuatemala

V. IvoryGuatemala

V. Ivory

Guatemala

V. Ivory

Guatemala

Usulutan, Verbena Ivory,

Highland Count

Usulutan, Verbene Red-orange Count

Usulutan, vessel form ACount

Usulutan, vessel form CCount

Usulutan, vessel form DCount

Usulutan, vessel form ECount

Usulutan? Count

Usulutan? Chilanga? count

Usulutan? Orange Count

Usulutan?, local? Count

Usulutan-like Count

Usulutan, Verbena

Ivory, HighlandUsulutan, VerbenaIvory, Highland

4

Usulutan, VerbeneRed-orange

Usulutan , VerbeneRed-orange

2

Usulutan, vessel

form A

1

Usulutan , vesselform C

Usulutan, vessel

form C2

Usulutan, vessel

form D1

Usulutan , vessel

form E1

Usulutan?

Usulutan?

Usulutan?

3

Usulutan? Chilanga?

1

Usulutan? Orange

Usulutan? Orange

Usulutan? Orange

Usulutan? Orange

Usulutan? Orange

Usulutan? Orange

6

Usulutan? , local?

Usulutan? , local?

Usulutan? , local?

Usulutan? , local?

Usulutan?, local?

5

Usulutan-like

Usulutan-like

Usulutan-like

Usulutan-like

Usulutan-like

Usulutan-like

Usulutan-like

7

Verbena Red-orange,Usulutan

Verbena Red-orange,Usulutan

Verbena Red-oranga,Usulutan Count

Grand Count

Appendix D: Compositional Groups From Cluster Analysis

Cluster Compositional Group 2 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Yarumela 8 Usulutan 8

El Cajon Salitron Viejo 6 Bolo Orange 2 El Cajon PC-13 2 Orange Slipped Poss. Bolo 2

Usulutan Izalco 1 Usulutan Chilanga 1 Usulutan Red and Black 1 Usulutan Possible Izalco 1

Total 16 Total 16

Cluster Compositional Group 3 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency

El Cajon Salitron Viejo 10 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 10 El Cajon PC-13 6 Bolo Orange 3

Orange Slipped Chilanga 2 Usulutan Izalco 1

Total 16 Total 16


Copan 3 Usulutan Izalco 3 Copan Cementario 3 Bolo Orange 3

Santa Barbara 2 Chilanga 2 El Mirador 2 Izalco 1

Copan Valley El Raizal 2 Muerdalo 1 Copan Valley Los Achiotes 2 Taixiguat Orange 1

Guauchia III 1 Usulutan Possible Chilanga 1 Los Naranjos, Lake Yojoa 1 Usulutan Possible Bolo 1

Santo Domingo (Naco) 1 Usulutan Highland 1 Usulutan? 1 Usulutan Like 1

Total 31 Total 31

Cluster Compositional Group 3.2 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency

El Cajon (no site) 7 Bolo Orange 3 Los Naranjos 2 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 3

Usulutan 2 Orange Slipped Red Rim 1

Total 9 Total 9


Copan Valley El Raizal 3 Usulutan Ve 1 Santa Leticia 1 Bolo Orange 1

Izalco Usulutan 1 Chilanga 1

Total 8 Total 8


Los Naranjos 3 Bolo Orange 7 Santa Barbara 3 Usulutan Chilanga? 2

Las Vegas, Naco Valley 2 Usulutan Possible Bolo 1 El Cajon Salitron Viejo 2 Aguaagua Uneven 1

El Cajon PC-22 1 Chilanga 1 Asuncion Mit 1 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 1

Copan 1 Orange Slipped 1 Total 28 Total 28


Copan, Cemeterio 8 Bolo Orange 7 Copan Valley 1 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 2

El Cajon Salitron Viejo 1 Usulutan 1 El Cajon PC-13 1 Chilanga 1

Santo Domingo (Naco) 1 Jicalapa Usulutan 1 Total 12 Total 12

Cluster Compositional Group 7 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Yarumela 5 Bolo Orange 5

El Cajon Salitron Viejo 4 Usulutan 3 Copan, Cemeterio 2 Izalco Usulutan 1

Usulutan Possible Bolo 1 Usulutan Possible Izalco 1

Total 11 Total 11


El Cajon PC-13 2 Chilanga 4 El Cajon PC-22 2 Usulutan 2




Total 11 Total 11


Santa Barbara, Gualjoquito 2 Usulutan Izalco 1 Site 106, Naco Valley 2 Usulutan 1


Total 4 Total 4


El Cajon Salitron Viejo 29 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 10 El Cajon PC-22 1 Usulutan 6 El Cajon PC-13 1 Usulutan Izalco 4

Orange Slipped Possible Izalco 3 Bolo Orange 2 Usulutan Izalco? 2 Orange Slipped 2 Usulutan Possible Bolo 1 Usulutan Possible Izalco 1

Total 31 Total 31


El Cajon Salitron Viejo 13 Usulutan Izalco 8 Yarumela 4 Usulutan 5

Guauchia III 2 Orange Slipped Possible Izalco 3 El Cajon PC-22 1 Usulutan Possible Izalco 1

Santa Barbara (no site) 1 Orange Slipped 1 Chilanga Usulutan 1 Brown Resist 1 Orange/Brown 1

Total 21 Total 21


El Cajon Salitron Viejo 6 Usulutan 2 Yarumela 3 Usulutan Izalco 2

Copan El Raizal 1 Izalco Usulutan 1 Bolo Orange 1 Usulutan Brown 1 Orange Slipped 1 Usulutan Possible Bolo 1 Usulutan Possible Izalco 1

Total 10 Total 10


El Cajon Salitron Viejo 17 Usulutan Izalco 10 Guauchia III 2 Usulutan 6

Yarumela 1 Orange Slipped Possible Izalco 1 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 1 Usulutan Brown 1

Total 20 Total 20


El Cajon Salitron Viejo 7 Usulutan 6 Yarumela 2 Bolo Orange 4

Guauchia III 1 Total 10 Total 10


Naco Valley, La Sierra 2 Usulutan 5 Yarumela 2 Untyped 2

El Cajon, Salitron Viejo 1 Izalco Usulutan 1 Copan 1

Santa Barbara (no site) 1 Kaminaljuyu 1

Total 8 Total 8

Cluster Compositional Group 15.2 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Yarumela 2 Usulutan 1

Naco Valley (no site) 1 Usulutan Possible Bolo 1 Bolo Orange 1

Total 3 Total 3


El Cajon, Salitron Viejo 5 Usulutan Izalco 3 El Cajon, PC-13 1 Usulutan 2


Total 7 Total 7

Cluster Compositional Group 16.2 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Guachia III 2 Usulutan 2

Total 2 Total 2

Appendix E: Refined Compositional Groups

Refined Compositional Group 2 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Yarumela 7 Usulutan 8

El Cajon Salitron Viejo 6 Orange Slipped Poss. Bolo 2 El Cajon PC-13 2 Bolo Orange 1

Usulutan Izalco 1 Usulutan Chilanga 1 Usulutan Red and Black 1 Usulutan Possible Izalco 1

Total 15 Total 15


Copan 4 Izalco Usulutan 4 Copan Cementario 3 Bolo Orange 3

Santa Barbara 3 Usulutan Izalco 3 El Mirador 2 Chilanga: Chilanga 2

Copan Valley El Raizal 2 Taixiguat Orange 1 Copan Valley Los Achiotes 2 Usulutan Possible Chilanga 1

Guauchia III 1 Usulutan Possible Bolo 1 Los Naranjos, Lake Yojoa 1 Usulutan Highland 1

Site 100 (Naco) 1 Usulutan? 1 Santo Domingo (Naco) 1 Usulutan Like 1

Ayala Grana 1 Tirantes Trichrome 1 Muerdalo Orange 1

Total 32 Total 32

Refined Compositional Group 3 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency

El Cajon Salitron Viejo 31 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 13 El Cajon PC-13 6 Polychrome – Type Unspecified 4

Bolo Orange 4 Kiln Waster 3 Polychrome – Group 1 3 Monochrome – Type Unspec. 2 Trichrome – Type Unspecified 2 Orange Slipped Chilanga 2 Bichrome – Type Unspecified 1 Usulutan Izalco 1 Usulutan Red Rimmed 1 Usulutan 1

Total 37 Total 37


Copan Valley El Raizal 3 Usulutan Ve 1 Santa Leticia 1 Bolo Orange 1

Izalco Usulutan 1 Chilanga 1

Total 8 Total 8


Los Naranjos 3 Bolo Orange 8 Santa Barbara 3 Usulutan Chilanga? 2

Las Vegas, Naco Valley 2 Usulutan Possible Bolo 1 El Cajon Salitron Viejo 2 Aguaagua Uneven 1

El Cajon PC-22 1 Orange Slipped 1 Copan 1 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 1 Total 27 Total 27


Copan, Cemeterio 8 Bolo Orange 7 Copan Valley 1 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 2

El Cajon Salitron Viejo 1 Usulutan 1 El Cajon PC-13 1 Chilanga 1

Santo Domingo (Naco) 1 Jicalapa Usulutan 1 Total 12 Total 12

Refined Compositional Group 7 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Yarumela 5 Bolo Orange 5

El Cajon Salitron Viejo 4 Usulutan 3 Copan, Cemeterio 2 Izalco Usulutan 1

Usulutan Possible Bolo 1 Usulutan Possible Izalco 1

Total 11 Total 11


El Cajon PC-13 2 Chilanga 4 El Cajon PC-22 2 Usulutan 2




Total 11 Total 11


Santa Barbara, Gualjoquito 2 Usulutan Izalco 1 Site 106, Naco Valley 2 Usulutan 1


Total 4 Total 4


El Cajon Salitron Viejo 24 Orange Slipped Possible Bolo 9 El Cajon PC-22 1 Usulutan 5 El Cajon PC-13 1 Orange Slipped Possible Izalco 3

Bolo Orange 2 Usulutan Izalco 2 Orange Slipped 2 Usulutan Izalco? 1 Usulutan Possible Bolo 1 Usulutan Possible Izalco 1

Total 26 Total 26


El Cajon Salitron Viejo 12 Usulutan Izalco 7 Yarumela 4 Usulutan 5

Guauchia III 2 Orange Slipped Possible Izalco 3 El Cajon PC-22 1 Usulutan Possible Izalco 1

Orange Slipped 1 Orange/Brown 1 Brown Resist 1

Total 19 Total 19


El Cajon Salitron Viejo 24 Usulutan 12 Yarumela 5 Usulutan Izalco 10

Guauchia III 3 Bolo Orange 5 Orange Slipped Possible Izalco 2 Usulutan Brown Variety 1 Usulutan Possible Bolo 1 Usulutan Possible Izalco 1

Total 32 Total 32


Naco Valley, La Sierra 2 Usulutan 5 Yarumela 2 Untyped 2

El Cajon, Salitron Viejo 1 Izalco Usulutan 1 Copan 1

Santa Barbara (no site) 1 Kaminaljuyu 1

Total 8 Total 8

Refined Compositional Group 15.2 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Yarumela 2 Usulutan 1

Naco Valley (no site) 1 Usulutan Possible Bolo 1 Bolo Orange 1

Total 3 Total 3


El Cajon, Salitron Viejo 5 Usulutan Izalco 3 El Cajon, PC-13 1 Usulutan 2


Total 7 Total 7

Refined Compositional Group 16.2 Site/Region Frequency Type/Variety Frequency Guachia III 2 Usulutan 2

Total 2 Total 2

Appendix F: Summaries of Elemental Data for Refined Groups 1-16

NEWGP STATISTICS NA K SC CR FE SB1 N of cases1 Mean1 C.V.2 N of cases2 Mean2 C.V.3 N of cases3 Mean3 C.V.4 N of cases4 Mean4 C.V.5 N of cases5 Mean5 C.V.6 N of cases6 Mean6 C.V.7 N of cases7 Mean7 C.V.8 N of cases8 Mean8 C.V.9 N of cases9 Mean9 C.V.

10 N of cases10 Mean10 C.V.11 N of cases11 Mean11 C.V.12 N of cases12 Mean12 C.V.15 N of cases15 Mean15 C.V.

15.2 N of cases15.2 Mean15.2 C.V.16 N of cases16 Mean16 C.V.

Avg. C.V All Groups 0.32 0.18 0.16 0.25 0.14 0.19

C.V. = Coefficient of Variaiton

32.000.970.25

15.000.440.52

370.860.248.000.860.28

27.001.030.25

12.000.630.27

11.001.170.10

11.000.840.504.001.130.10

25.000.700.32

19.000.500.40

32.000.790.318.000.540.493.000.810.449.000.480.34

32.002.270.19

15.001.360.11

371.390.168.001.950.23

27.002.580.14

12.001.880.20

11.003.130.15

11.001.820.274.001.740.04

25.001.550.18

19.001.470.23

32.001.810.128.001.620.323.002.800.089.001.400.31

32.0010.13

0.2115.0012.28

0.1137

11.420.168.00

12.140.22

27.0010.54

0.2512.0010.790.06

11.009.100.10

11.009.690.134.00

11.030.05

25.009.260.11

19.009.730.18

32.008.390.118.00

11.970.323.00

13.430.189.00

12.730.16

32.0011.940.36

15.0031.440,21

3739.310.238.00

28.510.15

27.0045.990.33

12.0035.42

0.2411.0019.110.12

11.0024.650.234.00

28.730.23

25.0014.15

0.3219.0010.100.16

32.0012.680.208.007.380.243.00

39.370.259.00

35.330.52

32.002.370.18

15.002.800.11

372.970.138.003.190.20

27.002.780.14

12.002.950.12

11.002.400.09

11.002.420.154.003.030.10

25.001.770.12

19.001.770.11

32.001.930.128.002.580.183.003.500.229.002.440.13

32.001.750.21

15.002.330.29

372.610.138.002.010.12

27.001.610.23

12.004.720.18

11.002.980.33

11.001.610.144.002.560.12

25.002.600.14

19.002.390.22

32.002.230.148.002.050.363.002.000.089.001.530.22

NEWGP STATISTICS RB1 N of cases1 Mean1 C.V.2 N of cases2 Mean2 C.V.3 N of cases3 Mean3 C.V.4 N of cases4 Mean4 C.V.5 N of cases5 Mean5 C.V.6 N of cases6 Mean6 C.V.7 N of cases7 Mean7 C.V.8 N of cases8 Mean8 C.V.9 N of cases9 Mean9 C.V.


15.2 N of cases15.2 Mean15.2 C.V.16 N of cases16 Mean16 C.V.

Avg. C.V All Groups 0.18


CS BA LA CE EU32.00

114.060.18

15.00101.69

0.1637

82.100.108.00

119.250.10

27.00122.51

0.1512.0095.380.15

11.00153.18

0.0811.0072.570.194.00

88.250.07

25.0066.71

0.1819.0071.550.25

32.0093.610.138.00

86.840.363.00

131.870.269.00

84.130.40

32.007.790.37

15.0010.730.27

375.650.268.009.580.21

27.005.970.16

12.0010.360.25

11.009.220.24

11.003.860.254.004.910.11

25.005.040.25

19.007.350.31

32.008.150.178.007.480.143.005.720.149.006.400.37

32.001192.85

0.3915.00

598.000.26

37496.95

0.378.00

689.250.19

27.001104.61

0.3112.00

1403.560.33

11.001064.27

0.3511.00

1244.200.204.00

1226.750.21

25.001411.28

0.3419.00

374.780.56

32.00324.22

0.388.00

780.830.263.00

1130.670.339.00

848.220.37

32.0029.12

0.1715.0044.87

0.1137

34.650.148.00

26.580.13

27.0031.030.22

12.0033.450.16

11.0041.59

0.1611.0041.82

0.314.00

31.180.18

25.0034.70

0.2319.0058.21

0.2432.0037.280.158.00

52.070.293.00

70.500.199.00

79.980.24

32.0053.240.21

15.0091.81

0.2837

68.300.208.00

49.290.25

27.0056.320.23

12.0057.290.16

11.0074.320.14

11.0080.750.304.00

69.150.29

25.00108.55

0.3319.00

158.300.25

32.0096.340.278.00

81.100.143.00

129.500.369.00

134.560.23

32.000.860.21

15.001.290.30

370.910.248.000.860.23

27.000.680.26

12.001.050.12

11.000.790.22

11.001.030.174.000.870.15

25.000.540.11

19.000.730.29

32.000.550.188.001.610.253.002.310.289.001.990.19

0.23 0.32 0.19 0.24 0.21

NEWGP STATISTICS YB LU HF TA TH1 N of cases1 Mean1 C.V.2 N of cases2 Mean2 C.V.3 N of cases3 Mean3 C.V.4 N of cases4 Mean4 C.V.5 N of cases5 Mean5 C.V.6 N of cases6 Mean6 C.V.7 N of cases7 Mean7 C.V.8 N of cases8 Mean8 C.V.9 N of cases9 Mean9 C.V.


15.2 N of cases15.2 Mean15.2 C.V.

16 N of cases16 Mean16 C.V.

Avg. C.V All Groups 0.16 0.17 0.14 0.17 0.17


32.003.290.19

15.004.660.12

373.630.148.003.230.13

27.003.480.18

12.003.470.14

11.004.910.12

11.004.330.274.004.390.09

25.004.650.22

19.006.690.12

32,004.590.128.005.140.213.006.520.169.006.570.13

32.000.470.24

15.000.660.14

370.500.158.000.470.18

27.000.500.20

12.000.550.18

11.000.670.13

11.000.600.254.000.640.06

25.000.650.23

19.000.930.15

32.000.660.178.000.710.153.000.890.259.000.890.12

32.007.270.19

15.006.450.12

377.920.098.007.390.18

27.006.710.07

12.007.670.14

11.006.790.07

11.007.750.224.009.060.10

25.006.900.14

19.008.210.26

32.008.570.148.006.990.193.006.190.059.007.740.14

32.001.040.26

15.001.150.19

371.150.238.001.050.11

27.001.010.11

12.001.080.12

11.001.200.16

11.001.540.294.001.670.14

25.001.770.13

19.002.070.09

32.001.610.168.000.980.203.000.970.099.001.350.26

32.0011.510.21

15.0014.510.21

379.320.118.00

11.570.14

27.0010.300.10

12.0010.750.18

11.0012.900.13

11.0012.520.134.00

10.260.07

25.0015.570.18

19.0021.460.16

32.0015.370.268.00

13.660.353.00

10.180.029.00

18.410.33

Craig Goralski Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University

409 Carpenter Building, State College, PA 16802 e-mail: [email protected]

Education

Fall 2008 Ph.D. in Anthropology. Pennsylvania State University. ‘An Examination of the Uapala-Usulután Ceramic Sphere Using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis’

Spring 1998 Master of Arts Degree in Anthropology. California State University, Fullerton.

Spring 1996

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology with Honors. California State University, Fullerton.

Fieldwork Yarumela Archaeological Project, Yarumela, Honduras. Principal Investigator: Dr. LeRoy Joesink-Mandeville, CSU Fullerton. Houserville Complex Archaeology Project Co-Principal Investigator with Timothy Murtha, Penn State University Archaeological Field School, Pennsylvania State University, Principal Investigator: Dr. Dean Snow, Penn State University San Miguel Archaeological Project, San Miguel, California. Principal Investigator: Karen Fontanetta, Curator, Mission San Miguel CA ORA 840A Milling Stone Horizon Site. Principal Investigator: LeRoy Joesink-Mandeville, Professor, CSU Fullerton. CSU Fullerton Forensic Investigation Team.

Director, Dr. Judy Suchey, Professor, CSU Fullerton

December 2003 Book Review: In the Realm of Nachan Kam: Postclassic Maya

Archaeology at Laguna de On, Belize by Marilyn Masson. Latin

American Antiquity 14:4: 501-502.

Publications

In Press Monumental Architecture and Site Occupation at Yarumela,

Honduras. In Twenty-Five Years of Settlement Pattern Research

on the S.E. Maya Periphery: Papers in Memory of George

Hasemann. Edited by B. M. Dixon and R.W. Webb

In Prep Comayagua Valley. In Pottery of Prehistoric Honduras: Regional

Classification and Analysis, 2nd ed. Edited by J.S. Henderson and

M. Beaudry-Corbett. (Co-Authored with L.R.V. Joesink-

Mandeville)

mailto:[email protected]�

Documents

AN EXAMINATION OF THE UAPALA-USULUTÁN CERAMIC …