North Eastern Maya Sites

 

Northeastern Maya Sites

Sarteneja Peninsula and Shipstern Lagoon

        

       Northeaster Belize Maya sites include Sarteneja, Shipstern, Cenote(isla), Bandera, Aragon, Condemned Point, Condemned Point 11, Ramonal, Ramonal Lookout, Cave, Lagoon Islet, and Rocky Point. Evidence of Pre Classic inhabitation was found at Sarteneja and at Shipstern. During the classic period, at least ten settlements and large activity areas are known is northeaster Belize. At this time Sarteneja and Shipstern probably functioned as central places for the religions directly north and south, respectively of Shipstern lagoon. Both sites possibly had populations that exceeded 1,000 inhabitants. Continuation of settlements is maintained during the Early Post Classic and may have been particularly robust during the Late Post Classic. 

       A network of satellite communities including Aragon, Cave, Cenote, and Bandera surrounded Sarteneja during the Terminal Classic and Post Classic. The site probably served as an economically differentiated central place. Supporting evidence is found at Cenote-in the form of an enigmatic network of dry-laid low stone walls. At Bandera, a specialized walkway facilitated year-round transport and communication through a seasonally flooded savannah, and provided Sarteneja access to the shore of the Lagoon. Finally, the quantity and variety of trade goods at Sarteneja –such as large concentration of obsidian, including three blades from Pachuca, Mexico, and an incised bone pendant of sophisticated Nahuatl-style workmanship—indicated the site participated in a dynamic trade network during the Postclassic.  

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  Janet…Swallowed by the waters of the bay ... Narrated by Yolanda Sosa Written by Jason Quintanilla   Yolanda Sosa was a 10 year old child when she first saw the real force of nature.  Yoli, as we knew Yolanda, was one of the youngest daughters of Lucia and Sabas Sosa. They lived in a tiny thatched roof, plastered house along with her four other siblings; Celia (1yr), Efrain (10yrs), Rosilia (11yrs), and Paulina (15yrs). They knew nothing about hurricanes, in fact they only knew of Chaak Norte(strong cold Fronts). The Sosa family didn’t own a radio, and probably no one in Sarteneja did at that time.  Despite not having a radio, they knew that a storm was on their way.   “It is a simple stupid Chaak Norte”, commented my father. In the community there were rumors that a very strong hurricane named Janet was on its way. What was a hurricane? My father was unaware of the term “hurricane” as it was the first time he was hearing about it. As a child,...
Read more
Image
Janet…Swallowed by the Waters of the Bay Part 2    Jorge was 21 years old when the most powerful hurricane in the history of Northern Belize; Janet, slammed Sarteneja and left his entire community homeless. This is his story:   I remember the day when Janet came like a demolisher back in 1955. It was a very stormy morning due to an unusual cold front that was affecting our region. Despite this uncommon weather condition, my day started like any other day. I was at Punta Col, south of Sarteneja when I was informed that a very strong storm was about to hit Belize. This shocking news caused panic among the other fishermen in the area and they left everything to go back to their families. I was young and adventurous, this news didn’t cause a single drop of fear and so I continued as if nothing was happening.     I fished that entire afternoon until I caught enough fish to take back home. As I was paddling back around four in the evening, I became concerned when...
Read more

Salvada por un jalon… Por Nora Scheunone

Image
 Salvado por un jalon… Por Nora Scheunone Nora tenía 5 años cuando presenció el peor huracán de su vida. Era la segunda hija más joven de la señorita Dominga y el señor Peter Young. Wilhem, Wilhemina y Douglas eran los hermanos mayores de Nora, mientras que Madeline era la más joven. El siguiente pasaje es un recuento de los hechos ocurridos aquella noche del huracán Janet. Me quedé devastada con lágrimas corriendo por mis ojos al ver a mi madre navegar hacia el pueblo de Corozal en busca de atención médica para mi hermana menor, Madeline. Madeline tuvo fiebre fuerte durante los últimos días y necesitaba atención médica urgente. Wilhemina y Douglas acompañaron a mi madre en ese arriesgado viaje en bote a Corozal mientras Wilhem y yo teníamos que quedarnos con papá en Sarteneja. Después de partir esa tarde tormentosa, nos dirigimos a casa y nos preparamos para lo desconocido. Recuerdo claramente asegurar la casa y luego mudarme al refugio más tarde esa noche. Llegamos al refugio mie...
Read more