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27-June-2002
Excavations in the southwest quadrant began with sub-operation 35A, an axial trench running west to east through the western side of site 35. As with the other axial trenches (35B, C, and D), the goals for 35A were to determine the locations of the outer borders of the structure, to determine the dimensions and orientation of the structure, and to locate any interior walls and floors. The excavation of 35A began on 10-June-2002 and was completed on 17-June —2002. 35A included a total of 13 lots, and as a sub-operation was 5 meters in length, 1 meter in width, and of various depth ranging from 30 centimeters to 20 centimeters. We encountered the outermost Western Wall with 35A/006 (0-10 cm BGS, east of 35A/004 and west of 35A/009) and followed it down with the underlying lots 35A/007 (10-20 cm BGS) and 35A/008 (20-30 cm BGS). We named this wall "SHAKIRO." We left the rocks of SHAKIRO in place for photographing and diagramming purposes; we also wanted to keep the wall intact so that we could more easily follow it and more fully understand the structure as a whole, especially since the this type of architecture produces a lot of tumble, making clear boundaries quite difficult to determine. Outside (West) of wall SHAKIRO (lots 35A/001-35A/005) we found a lot of tumble but few artifacts. East of SHAKIRO, we found more artifacts, however, we could not identify a floor with confidence such as was possible with the flat limestone slabs found in sub-operation 35D, the axial trench in the South portion of the site. Some of the artifacts found include a biface in the Northeast corner of 35A/010 and pieces of an incensario in the southern portion of 35A/013, approximately 30 cm BGS. Information regarding sub-operation 35A can be referenced in notes of Excavator 53 (Alunni), pages 1-12. On 17-June-2002 sub-operation 35E was opened to follow wall SHAKIRO to the South. The first lots begin adjacent on the South side of 35A/006. Due to an extension on the South side of the structure that we consider to be a porch, we had to extend 35E beyond the original southern boundary we set. From the southern edge of 35A/006, 35E extends 5 meters South, then 3.5 meters East, and then 6 meters North (the North-running lots are 1m X 0.5m and cover the Southwest bulk. Two addition lots, 35E/018 and 35E/019, were opened West of 35E/006 and 35E/005, respectively. These additional lots have the common dimensions (for this site) of 1m X 1m X 10cm. Some finds from 35E include large pot sherds from 35E/002 and 35E/005, just outside of SHAKIRO, possibly from a trash pit; large cut stones in 35E/010 and 35E/011; large portions of a plate in 35E/013 in the bulk (found by Excavator # 60, Alejandro Figueroa); and the Southwest corner of the structure in 35E/007. Excavation was concluded in sub-operation 35E on 25-June-2002. Additional information may be referenced in the notes of Excavator 53 (pages 12-20) and in the notes of Excavator 60 (pages 1 and 2). The goal of sub-operation 35F was to identify the floor named MARTA. We were never able to positively identify a floor in this sub-operation, however. It was necessary to leave rocks in place for drawings, and due to time constraints we were not able to dig more than fifteen centimeters in any unit. 35F included nine lots and covered a total area of 4m (running North-South) X 2m (running West-East) extending South of 35A/009 and 35A/011. Excavation began in this sub-operation on 17-June-2002 and was completed on 24-June-2002. Some artifacts include a bead possibly made of jade in the Southeast corner of 35F/004 and bone fragments in 35F/007. Both of these lots were sifted once we found the mentioned artifact and remains. More information can be referenced in the notes of Excavator 53 (pages 12 and 17-24) and in page 1 of Excavator 60’s notes. There are also two lot charts included in Excavator 53’s notes that can used to reference the locations of all lots in 35A, 35E, and 35F. Lots to be read: 35F/007, 35E/013, 35E/008, 35E/002, & 35A/010 |