Dissertation Research: Classic-Period Ceramic Production at Copan, Honduras: A Behavioral Approach to Ceramic Change

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9403700 Andrews Under the direction of Dr. E. Wyllys Andrews, Ms. Cassandra Bill will collect data for her doctoral dissertation. She will analyze a large series of ceramics excavated from the site of Copan in Honduras. Copan was a major Mayan center which supported a large population and is marked by impressive stone temple mounds. Under the direction of Dr. Andrews three seasons of excavation resulted in the exposure of a royal compound consisting of residential buildings as well as special purpose structures. The dates indicate that two periods are represented. The first marks the height of Copan's power while the second relates to the polity's decline. Large stratigraphically secure samples of ceramics were recovered which fall within each of these intervals. Ms. Bill will analyze these materials from a number of perspectives. She will carry out a standard stylistic analysis. In addition she will attempt to determine the functional characteristics of vessels, reconstruct the manufacturing process and conduct a technological analysis of the clay fabric. On this basis she will gain insight into how ceramic production and use changed over time. Because ceramics preserve well and are abundant in many archaeological sites, they have traditionally provided a focus for archaeological analysis. In recent years, researchers have come to realize that such material can not only provide insight into cultural affiliation and chronology, but also can be used to gain understanding of economic and social organization. A group of scholars, including Ms. Bill are developing new techniques to further this end. The situation at Copan provides an excellent context for such studies because the two ceramic collections are not only large and well dated, but they represent a single culture at very distinct stages of its development and decline. Thus the secure archaeological framework provides an excellent context to develop and test analytic techniques. This research is impor tant for several reasons. It will provide data of interest to many Middle Americanist archaeologists. It will assist in the development of analytic techniques which may be used in many archaeological situations. Finally it will assist in the training of a promising young scientist. ***