Synopses & Reviews
In this abundantly illustrated third and final volume on the artifacts found by Edward H. Thompson in the Well of Sacrifice, specialists analyze the great variety of objects and debate whether they represent evidence of dateable prehistorical ritual. The collection includes the rare remains of hundreds of textiles, wooden objects, and copal incense offerings that were preserved in the waters of this limestone sinkhole, as well as the lithics, ceramics and bone and shell artifacts commonly found in Maya burials and caches and about 250 mammalian remains. These objects are remarkable for having been cut, torn, broken, and burned before they were thrown into the green waters of the sacred well at Chichen Itza.
Review
Fascinating reading throughout and a treasure of information, it belongs in all Maya archaelogy collections. Choice
Table of Contents
Foreword by Gordon R. Willey Acknowledgments Contributors 1. The Sacred Well of the Itzaes
Edward H. Thompson
Topography of the Region About Chichen ltza
Chichen ltza
Description of Chichen Itza
Topography of Chen Ku, the Sacred Well
Etymology of Chen Ku
Traditions and Accounts of the Sacred Well
The Strange Visitor
Notes
References
2. Dredging the Cenote
Clemency Chase Coggins
Thompson's Early Work in Yucatan
Chichen ltza: Hacienda and Archaeological Site
Dredging the Cenote: 1904 to 1905
Dredging the Cenote: 1906 to 1907
Dredging and Diving in the Cenote: 1908 to 1909
The End of Work in the Cenote: 1910 to 1922
The Years 1923 to 1944
Mexican Work in the Cenote
Publication of the Artifacts from the Cenote
Notes
References
3. Textiles
Joy Mahler Lothrop
The Textiles
Thompsons References to the Textiles
Previous Studies of the Cenote Textiles
Method Used in Analysis
Limiting Factors
Age of the Textiles
Specimens of Cenote Textiles in Other Museums
General Considerations
Fibers
Spinning
Spindle Whorls
Other Weaving Tools
Dyes
End and Side Selvages
Technical Analysis
Plain Weaves Grouped by Yarn Structure
Techniques Other Than Unadorned Plain Weaves
Summary and Conclusions
Notes
Appendix 3.A: Basic Data on all Measurable Specimens
References
4. Basketry, Twined Sandal Soles, and Cordage
Jill J. Mefford
Basketry
Sandal Soles
Cordage
Notes
References
5. Objects of Stone, Shell, and Bone
Hattula Moholy-Nagy and John M. Ladd
Description of the Collection and Comparisons with Other Sites
Stone: Pecked, Ground, Polished, and Unworked
Shell: Extensively Worked, Original Form Largely Preserved, and Unworked
Other Marine Invertebrates
Marine Vertebrates
Other Bone: Worked and Unworked
Social Contexts of the Collection
Materials Associated with High Social Rank
Materials Associated with Intermediate Social Rank
Materials Associated with Low Social Rank
Unique or Undiagnostic Materials
Accidental Inclusions
Areas of Origin
Estimated Time Spans of Use
Comparisons with Other Cenote Sites
Cenote Xlacah
Other Cenote Sites
Summary and Conclusions
Notes
Appendix 5.A: Obsidian Hydration Report
Fred Trembour
References
6. Chipped-Stone Artifacts
Payson D. Sheets, John M. Ladd, and David Bathgate
The Collection
Large Bifaces
Tanged Bifaces
Side-notched Bifaces
Corner-notched Bifaces
Lanceolate Bifaces
Unclassified Bifacially Flaked Fragments
Bifacial Thinning Flakes
General Microcrystalline Debitage
Obsidian Debitage
Obsidian Prismatic Blades
Obsidian Polyhedral Cores
Conclusions
Comments on a Preliminary Analysis of Cenote Lithics
Observations on Cenote Lithics
Comparison of Cenote Xlacah at Dzibilchaltun and the Chichen ltza Cenote
Comparison of Mayapan and Chichen ltza Cenote Lithics
Chichen ltza Cenote and Tula Lithic Artifact Comparisons
Cenote Lithics Compared with Zaculeu Lithics
Similarities with Quelepa, El Salvador
General Comments
Appendix 6.A: Hydration Dating of Obsidian Artifacts from the Sacred Cenote, Chichen ltza
Fred Trembour
Appendix 6.B: Hydration Analysis of Non-Cenote Obsidian from Two Surface Localities, Chichen Itza
Fred Trembour
Appendix 6.C: Use-Wear Analysis of Chipped-Stone Tools
April K. Sievert
References
7. Ceramics
Joseph W Ball and John M. Ladd
Study of the Collection
Analysis
Summary
Catalogue
Whole and Nearly Whole (Broken) Vessels
Fragmentary Vessels and Sherds
Notes
Appendix 7.A: Occurrences of Types Organized by Ceramic Complex
References
8. Wooden Artifacts
Clemency Chase Coggins and John M. Ladd
Catalogue
Ear(?) Ornaments
Weapon Assemblage
Handheld Objects
Effigies
Perforated Ornaments(?)
Implements
Miscellaneous
Discussion of the Wood Collection
Condition and Preservation
Types of Wood
Woodworking
Coatings
Destructive Activity
Purpose and Dating of Cenote Ritual
Notes
References
9. Copal and Rubber Offerings
Clemency Chase Coggins and John M. Ladd
Copal
The Collection
Discussion
Rubber
Notes
References
10. Miscellaneous: Palm Nut Artifacts, Decorated Gourds, Leather, and Stucco
Palm Nut Artifacts
Hattula Moholy-Nagy And John M. Ladd
Decorated Gourds
Clemency Chase Coggins and John M. Ladd
Leather
Clemency Chase Coggins and John M. Ladd
Stucco
Clemency Chase Coggins
Notes
References
11. Mammalian Remains
Mary Randolph Hopkins
The Cenote as a Depositional Environment
Catalogue of the Collection
Marsupialia
Insectivora
Chiroptera
Edentata
Lagomorpha
Rodentia
Carnivora
Perissodactyla
Artiodactyla
Unidentified
Summary
Notes
References
12. Conclusions
Clemency Chase Coggins
References