Preliminary characterization of archaeological sites in the Mayales River subbasin, department of Chontales, Nicaragua

Journal article

In 2015 and 2016, the Proyecto Arqueológico Centro de Nicaragua ( Pacen) conducted several fieldwork seasons which focused on surface survey and mound recording. The main goal of this research was to systematically document the synchronic and diachronic variability in pre-Hispanic material culture found throughout the Mayales River subbasin, particularly in the valley north of Juigalpa, in the department of Chontales. The study started as a full-coverage, high intensity surface survey in a 52 sq km area, as well as the recording of all sites featuring architecture within a 42 sq km subarea. Surface ceramics were mainly found on the riverbanks, while chipped stone presented lower densities distributed uniformly throughout the area, similar to groundstone, which occurred in even lesser quantities. Ceramic and chipped stone distribution and frequency seem to be related to raw material procurement practices rather than the chronological depth of sites with architectural features. In the process, 1,300 mounds were documented during 2015 and 2016. Including the previously registered site of Aguas Buenas, the total of 1679 mounds was divided in 47 clusters, following specific environmental and material culture patterning. Preliminary results of this study suggest that pre-Hispanic communities in the research area formed a historically complex social landscape.

Authors: Donner, N; Arteaga, A; Geurds, A; van Dijk, K

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: University of Costa Rica
• Journal: Cuadernos de Antropologia
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 1-26
• Publication date: 2018-02-13
• Acceptance date: 2017-10-13
• DOI: 10.15517/cat.v28i1.32358
• EISSN: 2215-356
• ISSN: 1409-3138
• Keywords: mounds; survey; Aguas Buenas; Lower Central America; surface