Classic Maya Polychrome Stucco Sculptures from Louisville, Belize

Description

This work presents archaeological data assembled at the ancient Maya site of Louisville in northern Belize. In addition to survey and mapping, the project focused on two main goals: to conduct salvage work in order to provide a chronology of the site through surface collection and testpit excavations; and to recontextualize the finds from previous work at the site, in particular by determining through excavation the original location of Thomas Gann’s trenches and the source of the stucco heads now held at the British Museum and at Tulane University. It describes the geographical location of Louisville and its environs, introduces the history of research at the site, describes the collections of stucco material from the British Museum and Tulane University in an annotated and illustrated catalog, and combines this data with that recovered from the archaeological research conducted in 2000 and 2002 to offer a chronology and analysis.