Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2009

Department 1

Anthropology

Abstract

The site of Cerro Palenque, the largest settlement in the lower Ulua Valley (Sula Valley) in Honduras during the ninth and tenth centuries AD, was a locus of craft production of figurines and pottery, feasting, the ballgame, and other events associated with its ballcourt. Based on the analysis of imported obsidian, the evidence for ritual and craft production, and the layout of the settlement, Cerro Palenque maintained long distance trade connections with Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. It also took part in local rituals and events with its smaller neighbors in the valley.

Comments

Revised version of a paper presented at the 74th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, in the session, "Archaeological Research in Honduras: Understanding Ancient Lifeways in the Intermediate Area," in Atlanta, GA, in 2009.

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