Ancient Maya Traders of Ambergris Caye

Preface

Preface W hen this volume was originally published in Belize, the intent was to return something to the people of San Pedro who helped us over the course of three summers of fieldwork (1986-88). At that time, though we did not really know it yet, the town of San Pedro was just developing its tourism business . In 1986, we rented an entire hotel for $10 per day per room! And, I have a photo of First Street in mid-day with only a sleeping dog on the sand street. Today, both the dog and photographer would be run over by golf carts, taxis, or delivery vehicles within seconds. Our work on Ambergris Caye was aimed at better understanding the ancient trade system that linked the great Maya kingdoms of the mainland . At the time, this was a hot topic among Maya archaeologists, and a half dozen other projects were ongoing along the Caribbean coast of Belize and Mexico- making the interaction among the researchers one of the most satisfying experiences of professional life. Of course, living in a tent camp on a Caribbean beach was not unpleasant either! My co-directors of the project were Jim Garber and David Glassman of Southwest Texas State 1 2 University (now Texas State University) and Herman Smith of the Corpus Christi Museum in Texas. Each of us brought distinctive talents to the project, and without anyone of us, it would not have been a success. Consequently, I received my doctoral degree, Jim and Dave were awarded tenure, and Herman soon retired to live in San Pedro for a number of years. Our success was also a testament to the students from the SWT Archaeological Field School and the volunteers from the Corpus Christi Museum who worked so hard to support us. The Corpus Christi program eventually became the model and seed for the organization that I now direct. I recall that after the first week of fieldwork in the second season, we were camped about thirty miles from the town of San Pedro. We had no chairs and were almost out of water, gasoline, and food. The outboard motor on our boat had broken, and we could not make the two-way radio work despite our best efforts. We took the boat to the Mexican town of Xkalac where there should have been gasoline and water. However, when we arrived, they only had enough gas in town to get us back to our camp and our fifteen volunteers. Happily, there was no lack of cold beer in Xkalac, which served to improve camp attitudes hugely. Eventually the cost of operating in San Pedro inspired Jim and I to found new projects in the Belize Valley and northwestern Belize, respectively , and our work on Ambergris closed after the 1988 season. Nevertheless, much remains to be done. I think of the doctoral dissertation level materials waiting for SOlneone who wants to clarify the ceramic chronology or to look at the Postclassic materials at Laguna Francesa for example. Ambergris is developing rapidly, and someone should do this soon while the opportunity still exists. Finally, I thank my co-directors of the project as well as all of the students and volunteers who made it possible. I especially thank Judith Knight of the University of Alabama Press for suggesting (or did she insist?) that this book should be republished. Fort Worth, Texas November 14,2006 3 Planview of Chac Balam. o 10 20 met e r S ~ Planview of San Juan. 4 6A SWAMP 2A Chac Balam o 5 10 15 20 m I I I I I CARIBBEAN SEA 28 Traveling through the Boca Bacalar Chico, the cut that separates Ambergris Caye, Belize, from mainland Mexico. The author believes the cut was dug by the ancient Maya. Tohil Plumbate vessel from San Juan. A nearly identical vessel was found at Marco Gonzalez at the south end of Ambergris Caye by the Royal Ontario Museum excavators. Tohil Plumbate was only made on the northwest coast of Guatemala. 5 A large Sotuta-style plate from a leader's burial at Chac Balam. This and others were imported from the area of Chichen Itza in the northern Yucatan Peninsula. Punta San Juan on the northwest of Ambergris Caye. The underwater line extending north is a recent feature. Punta San Juan is the first landmark...