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Underwater Excavations Of Two Ancient Maya Salt Works, Paynes Creek National Park, Belize, Elizabeth Cory Sills
Underwater Excavations Of Two Ancient Maya Salt Works, Paynes Creek National Park, Belize, Elizabeth Cory Sills
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Abstract Underwater excavations were conducted at an Early Classic (A.D. 300-600) and a Late Classic (A.D. 600-900) submerged ancient Maya salt works in Paynes Creek National Park, Belize. The archaeological investigations included underwater excavations, artifact analysis, marine sediment chemical testing, and source identification of obsidian—an important indicator of trade. The excavation and analysis of the salt works in Paynes Creek add a new perspective on ancient Maya craft production and the economies of other ancient civilizations. The archaeological excavations reveal activity areas associated with a substantial salt industry for distribution to the southern Maya inland inhabitants, where this biological requirement …