Caracol - Excavations, Investigations, and Modern Development

Excavations, Investigations, and Modern Development

The site was first noted and documented archaeologically in 1937 by A. H. Anderson. More extensive explorations and documentation of the site was undertaken by Linton Satterthwaite of the University Museum at the University of Pennsylvania from 1950 to 1953. During this time Satterthwaite primarily focused on finding and documenting monuments, later removing several stelae and altars to the University Museum. In the early 1980s, Paul Healy of Trent University investigated Caracol’s core area, recording several architectural groups, and noting the extensive terrace systems and high population density for the surrounding area.

The Caracol Archaeological Project (ongoing every year since 1985) is directed by Drs. Arlen and Diane Chase of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, United States. The 1988-1989 field seasons researched the southeast section of the site, between the Conchita and Pajaro-Romonal Causeways, to determine the impact of the Tikal-Naranjo wars. From 1994 to 1996, the project focused investigations in the northeast section of the site (near the Puchituk terminus) which showed great time depth dating to the Middle Preclassic, and on the growth and cohesion of the site during Caracol’s two major periods of aggression. In the spring dry season of 2009 they conducted a LiDAR survey with an aircraft that allowed a very rapid assessment of the entire site and surrounds, mapping 200 square kilometers, with results published in May 2010.

The only road Caracol may be accessed by is paved for the last ten miles and leads to the Western Highway between San Ignacio and Belmopan and to Santa Elena.

Caana ("sky-palace") is the largest building at Caracol. It remains one of the largest man-made structures in Belize.

Exploration Timeline
A.D. 1937 Caracol rediscovered by Rosa Mai

1938 A. H. Anderson initially visits Caracol

1950-1953 Linton Satterthwaite and the University Museum conducts investigations focusing on recording monuments, and makes a limited map

1956, 1958 A. H. Anderson returns to Caracol and excavates in the A Group and South Acropolis

1980 Paul Healy of Trent University investigates agricultural terraces and notes unusually high settlement density

1985 Caracol Archaeological Project begins; Structures A6, and B20 investigated

1986 Discovery of Altar 21 leading to the reexamination of the “Classic hiatus”; Painted Tomb of a royal woman found at Caana, dated to A.D. 634. Conchita and Pajaro-Ramonal Causeways located.

1987 Initiation of settlement research; Causeway system discovered

1988 Southeast settlement research – Demonstrates the increase in population after the Tikal-Naranjo wars

1989 Southeast sector settlement work continues; Agricultural fields, housing, and causeways demonstrated to be post-war phenomena. Construction on Caana demonstrated to be post-A.D. 800

1990 Structures A2, A7, and A8 excavated; Early Classic construction of South Acropolis found.

1991 Exploration and mapping of causeways. Ceiba and Retiro Termini located. Structure A6 excavated; found stone box cache with jade mask and mercury. Intact stucco frieze found on earlier construction of Caana. Belize government declares the Caracol area a national park.

1992 Ruler’s tomb discovered in the South Acropolis; royal tombs found in the Central Acropolis. Belize government constructs road to the site

1993 Investigations on Canna; royal tomb located in Structure B20; ritual deposits located in B19. Hieroglyphic texts found in non-elite contexts

1994, 1995 Northeast sector investigated to determine settlement density and dating; mapping and reconnaissance indicate no settlement drop-off for 6 km, and the radius of the site determined to be 10 km from the Cahal Pichik, Ceiba, Retiro, and Hatzcap Ceel Causeways and Termini

1996 Central 9 square kilometers of the site mapped. Preclassic shrine dated to 100 B.C. found in front of Structure B34 of the Northeast Acropolis

1997 Mapping of central 16 square kilometers completed. Southeast sector residential groups with open, collapsed, and looted tombs explored

1998 Basal architecture of Structures A1, A3, and A8 explored. Mapping recorded the Retiro and Ceiba termini and their associated causeways

1999 Basal stairs of Structures A2 and A3 trenched. Residential group immediately north of the center excavated. Mapping recorded an east-west transect 6 km north of the center. Caracol Site Museum opens

2000 Excavations focused on structures within the southwest walled area, and one residential group immediately south of the area. Terraces in the Chaquistero area mapped. Dr. Jaime Awe and the Belize Tourism Development Project (TDP) began “tourist-proofing” Caracol’s buildings

2001 Palace structures of Barrio and Caana excavated in preparation for their stabilization. Terminal Classic trash deposits recovered in Barrio; two elite tombs found at the base of Structure B19

2002 Excavations focused on Structures A13, B28, and F4, as well as the plaza in front of Structure B33. A new Stela was found in front of Structure B28; a stucco text was recovered in association with Structure B19. The materials from the TDP’s excavations of two residential tombs were analyzed

2003 Excavations focused on five smaller buildings adjacent to the South Acropolis in order to determine the presence attached specialists; TDP begins stabilization of the South Acropolis. Four burials and a collapsed Protoclassic chultun were also recovered.

2004 Continued focus on attached specialists; small structures immediately east of Barrio and West of Caana excavated, recovering Terminal Classic line-of-stone buildings and three Early Classic interments. TDP concluded their work

2005 Investigations focused on locating non-palace Terminal Classic occupation associated with small structures in the center. Excavations of Structure I20 produced late use-related materials and a burial; Structure B59 proved to be of late construction. Structures B40, B42, and B44 showed a series of tombs and caches spanning from the Protoclassic to the Terminal Classic

2006 Investigations of epicentral structures which were utilized within the broad Late and Terminal Classic social and economic system. Excavated structures include A31, the Northwest Acropolis (Structures A61-A69), and the Gateway residential group (Structures B139-143).

2007 Recovery of early caching practices both in the center and in an epicentrally proximate residential group revealed variant caching practices and associated ceremonial activities. These findings raised issues of ritual variability throughout the center and immediately adjacent residential groups. Investigated structures included Structures A16, B7, D2, and I2-I8.

2008 Excavations were undertaken in the Culebras and Palmitas residential groups on either side of the Pajaro-Romonal Causeway to determine whether differential composition of residential complexes existed in close proximity to the center. The causeway running from the center to the Ceiba Terminus was extended and mapped all the way to La Rejolla, a site which exhibited monuments with the Caracol emblem glyph.

2009 The use of LiDAR was introduced to the site and the mapping of 200 square kilometers revealed the presence of eleven new causeways, five new termini, and thousands of residential groups and agricultural terraces. Excavations were also undertaken in the Northeast Acropolis and the Culebras residential group (especially focusing on Structure C20).

2010 Investigations focused on ground-checking the remote sensing data gained from LiDAR in 2009, especially on the location of caves. Excavations focused on Structures F30-F42 of the double plaza complex Alta/Baja Vista, as well as further excavations of the Northeast Acropolis.