David M Pendergast
Biographic Data
| ID | 163134 |
|---|---|
| NAME | David M Pendergast |
| GIVEN NAMES | David M |
| FAMILY NAME | Pendergast |
| SIGNATURE | PENDERGAST D M |
| AFFILIATIONS | Royal Ontario Museum |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 59 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 233 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 59 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1955 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 8 |
European Beads from Spanish-Colonial Lamanai and Tipu, Belize
Excavation of the contact-period components of the Maya sites of Lamanai and Tipu in northern and west-central Belize, respectively, have yielded moderate collections of European glass and other beads. The archaeological data are augmented by ethnohistorical documentation regarding the length of Maya/Spanish interaction. Contexts do not provide unequivocal stratigraphic evidence of sequential bead importation, but known dates of bead varieties as…
Of Watery Rocks and Slumbering Crocs: Reassessing Middle Preclassic Occupation at Altun Ha and Lamanai, Belize
Excavations in northeastern Belize have generated one of the more detailed regional databases of Middle Preclassic (1000–350 b.c.) settlement in the Maya Lowlands, providing the basis for developmental models of later Maya civilization. Modest Classic period architecture permitted extensive exposures of early occupations at several sites, but contemporaneous settlements at large, later centers remain poorly understood, despite the insights they m…
Shattered: Object fragmentation and social enchainment in the eastern Maya lowlands
A New Radiocarbon Sequence from Lamanai, Belize: Two Bayesian Models from One of Mesoamerica’s Most Enduring Sites
The ancient Maya community of Lamanai, Belize, is well known for its span of occupation from the Early Preclassic (before 1630 BC) to the present. Although most centers in the central and southern Maya Lowlands were abandoned during the Terminal Classic period (AD 750–1000), ceramic and stratigraphic evidence at Lamanai has shown continuous occupation from the start of the Early Preclassic to the Spanish Conquest. In this paper, we present the fi…
Lamanai, Belice, durante el Posclásico
Desde su inicio en 1974, el proyecto de excavaciones del Museo Real de Ontario en el sitio de Lamanai, situado en el norte de Bel ice (Fig. 1), se ha centrado en las investigaciones de todas las fases de la ocupación, pero con especial énfasis en el periodo que, potencialmente, es el más significativo: el Post-clásico. A la fecha se han llevado a cabo siete temporadas de excavaciones, y quedan pendientes por lo menos dos mas, seguidas por un ano …
Altun Ha’, Honduras Británica: Temporadas 1964 y 1965
Como resultado de las investigaciones y excavaciones de prueba hechas por el autor en 1963 con un subsidio de la Wenner-Gren Foundation y el Fondo de Estudios Científicos de la Universidad de UTA, el centro ceremonial de Altun Ha, situado alrededor del pueblo de Rockstone Pond, unos 50 kms. Al norte de la capital de Honduras Británica (fig. 1), fue seleccionado por el Museo de Real de Ontario para un programa de excavaciones de cinco años de dura…
Excavaciones en la cueva Eduardo Quiroz, Distrito Cayo, Honduras Británica
En la primavera de 1963, la Universidad de Utah, con la ayuda económica del National Science Foundation, comenzó excavaciones en la Cueva Eduardo Quiroz, Distrito Cayo, Honduras Británica. Con las excavaciones se pretendía el salvamento de material arqueológico en peligro de destrucción y también la obtención de datos adicionales par reforzar las sugestiones de Thompson (1959) sobre los usos de las cuevas por los mayas
Breve reconocimiento arqueológico en Honduras Británica
Este artículo presenta la descripción de un reconocimiento arqueológico hecho por el autor en el Distrito El Cayo, Honduras Británica, en 1961, con la valiosa ayuda económica de la Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Universidad de Utah. Además de la ayuda (le la Comisión, quiero agradecer la colaboración del señor A. H. Anderson, Comisionado de Arqueología de Honduras Británica, cuyas generosas contribuciones de tiempo y consejos hicie…
Altun Ha, Honduras Británica (Belice): Temporadas 1966-1968
En 1964, el Real Museio de Ontario inició un proyecto de excavaciones en el sitio Maya de Altun Ha, Honduras Británica (Belice). El proyecto, inicialmente con una duración planeada de cuatro años, ha sido extendido hasta la temporada de 1970, principalmente a causa de la importancia de los resultados de las excavaciones ya llevadas a cabo, no sólo en el sentido de la riqueza de la cultura material, sino también en el sentido más amplio de las con…
The Context and Significance of Copper Artifacts in Postclassic and Early Historic Lamanai, Belize
We consider the archaeological contexts in which copper objects have been recovered at the ancient Maya site of Lamanai in northern Belize and the significance these objects had for the residents of the community during Postclassic (ca. A.D. 950–1544) and Spanish colonial (post 1544) times. More copper objects have been recovered from controlled archaeological contexts at Lamanai than any other site in the southern Maya lowlands area. Bells make …
The houses in which they dwelt: The excavation and dating of Taino wooden structures at Los Buchillones, Cuba
Excavations at Los Buchillones, on Cuba's north central coast, have revealed the existence of not only numerous wooden artifacts but also remarkably well preserved thatch-roofed wooden structures. We present here the results of two series of AMS date determinations undertaken on structural elements together with comments on the significance of the dates, accompanied by ethnohistoric observations regarding Taino buildings of a generally similar na…
Social Complexity and Food Systems at Altun Ha, Belize: The Isotopic Evidence
This study reports stable carbon-isotope ratios for both bone collagen and apatite, and nitrogen-isotope ratios for bone collagen for 72 Maya skeletons from 9 zones representing contrasting status groups at Altun Ha, Belize. The sample spans the Preclassic to Postclassic periods, approximately 800 B. C. to after A. D. 950. Although Altun Ha has a maize-based (C-4) diet, it has a much stronger marine/reef component than any other Maya site studied…
The Problems Raised by Small Charcoal Samples for Radiocarbon Analysis
The availability of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon analysis has greatly broadened the range of dating opportunities for the field archaeologist, but at the same time has opened the door more widely to use of samples for which cultural association is unclear. Understanding of sample confidence level is essential if spurious dates are not to emerge from the use of small amounts of carbonized material for dating purposes
News and Short Contributions
Excavations at Los Buchillones, Cuba
Between 1989 and 1994, north coast fishermen Nelson Torna and Pedro Guerra salvaged approximately 195 well-preserved wooden artefacts, mostly of lignum vitcre, from recently disturbed marine sediments near their village of Punta Alegre, in Ciego de Avila, Cuba. They had collected the artefacts from a shallow lagoon, and from the shoreline near their village at a place known as Los Buchillones. The wooden artefacts include pins, eyed needles, hook…
Dressed to Kill: Jade Beads and Pendants in the Maya Lowlands
Jade was a material of paramount importance in ancient Maya life owing to its symbolic significance. The meanings of jade's color lent to the stone, and to those adorned with objects fashioned from it, an unmistakable aura of power. As a result, jade objects figure very prominently in the archaeological record, and their forms and contexts bespeak their ancient meanings. The tracing of the shapes, carving, production techniques, and use history o…
Now the Game is Over
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The Old Order Changeth
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One Person's Impact on Archaeology
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Further Matters of Great Moment
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On the Care and Feeding of LAA
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The Ceramics of Tikal: Vessels from the Burials, Caches and Problematical Deposits
The center and the edge: Archaeology in Belize, 1809?1992
Locating Maya Lowlands Spanish Colonial Towns: A Case Study from Belize
Recent excavations of the Spanish Colonial Maya communities of Lamanai and Tipu, Belize, combine with extensive ethnohistorical research to provide guidelines for the location of other Historic-period sites in the region. We present brief case studies of community-location data from the ethnohistorical record, followed by observations regarding survey expectations and approaches appropriate to identification of Spanish Colonial-period sites. Thou…
Archeology: Cuello: An Early Maya Community in Belize. Norman Hammond
Social Complexity and Food Systems at Altun Ha, Belize: The Isotopic Evidence
This study reports stable carbon-isotope ratios for both bone collagen and apatite, and nitrogen-isotope ratios for bone collagen for 72 Maya skeletons from 9 zones representing contrasting status groups at Altun Ha, Belize. The sample spans the Preclassic to Postclassic periods, approximately 800 B. C. to after A. D. 950. Although Altun Ha has a maize-based (C-4) diet, it has a much stronger marine/reef component than any other Maya site studied…
Excavations at the Marco Gonzalez Site, Ambergris Cay, Belize, 1986
Excavations at the small site of Marco Gonzalez at the tip of an offshore cay, for coral island, off the northern coast of Belize yielded evidence of occupation from early in the Christian era to perhaps as late as the beginning of the Spanish contact period, ca. A.C. 1544. During the community's apogee, ca. A.C. 1150–1300, its material culture closely resembled that of the Postclassic center of Lamanai on the New River Lagoon in northern Belize.…
Metal Artifacts in Prehispanic Mesoamerica
Metal artifacts are discussed as possible indicators of relationships within Mesoamerica and between Mesoamerica and the American Southwest. All known forms of Mesoamerican metal artifacts for which age and provenience data are available are included in a typological classification, presented as a basis for comparisons and distribution studies. Data on spatial and temporal distribution, with indications of centers of manufacture or use of some ty…
Locating Maya Lowlands Spanish Colonial Towns: A Case Study from Belize
Recent excavations of the Spanish Colonial Maya communities of Lamanai and Tipu, Belize, combine with extensive ethnohistorical research to provide guidelines for the location of other Historic-period sites in the region. We present brief case studies of community-location data from the ethnohistorical record, followed by observations regarding survey expectations and approaches appropriate to identification of Spanish Colonial-period sites. Thou…
The Context and Significance of Copper Artifacts in Postclassic and Early Historic Lamanai, Belize
We consider the archaeological contexts in which copper objects have been recovered at the ancient Maya site of Lamanai in northern Belize and the significance these objects had for the residents of the community during Postclassic (ca. A.D. 950–1544) and Spanish colonial (post 1544) times. More copper objects have been recovered from controlled archaeological contexts at Lamanai than any other site in the southern Maya lowlands area. Bells make …
Ecological Interpretation in Archaeology: Part I
Interpretations of man's relationship to his environment are basic to the understanding of archaeological data. Such interpretations are made by almost all archaeologists in the course of presenting their findings, and there is a growing trend toward more precise delineation of human ecology in prehistoric times. Yet much archaeological writing of this sort tends to be sketchy and fragmentary, and techniques of value are often overlooked or ignor…
Evidence of Early Teotihucan-Lowland Maya Contact at Altun Ha
Discovery of a typical Miccaotli phase offering at Altun Ha, British Honduras (Belize) indicates contact between Teotihuacan and the central Maya lowlands in the second century A.D., 2.5 to 3 centuries earlier than previously recognized
The center and the edge: Archaeology in Belize, 1809?1992
And the Loot Goes On: Winning Some Battles, But Not the War
Excavations at Altun Ha, Belize, 1964-1970, Volume 1
Lamanai, Belize: Summary of Excavation Results, 1974-1980
Folk Traditions as Historical Fact: A Paiute Example
proved in many cases to be consistent with archaeological evidence. This suggested that the Paiute had preserved some historical knowledge of the Puebloid people for about 800 years, during which period accurate information was transmitted in an oral tradition. In the summer of 1956, only seven specific statements relating to the prehistoric people, called Mukwitch by the Paiute, were collected. Five of these seven statements are to some extent v…
A Maya Tooth Offering from Yakalche, British Honduras
A New Radiocarbon Sequence from Lamanai, Belize: Two Bayesian Models from One of Mesoamerica’s Most Enduring Sites
The ancient Maya community of Lamanai, Belize, is well known for its span of occupation from the Early Preclassic (before 1630 BC) to the present. Although most centers in the central and southern Maya Lowlands were abandoned during the Terminal Classic period (AD 750–1000), ceramic and stratigraphic evidence at Lamanai has shown continuous occupation from the start of the Early Preclassic to the Spanish Conquest. In this paper, we present the fi…
Excavations in the Great Plaza, North Terrace and North Acropolis of Tikal
This report is integral and pivotal to the entire Tikal publications series. Produced in six separate casebound volumes (3 of text, 2 of illustrations, a map box for oversize plans and sections), this monumental study looks at the very hub of Tikal. Tikal Report 14 is a tribute to its author, William R. Coe, who not only was able to salvage Tikal from the jungle but meticulously recorded all the resulting data in detailed plans, sections, drawing…
Lamanai, Belize: Summary of Excavation Results, 1974–1980
Excavations at the ancient Maya center of Lamanai, Belize, were begun in 1974 and are expected to continue through 1983. Selected because the presence of a 16th-century Spanish church indicated occupation in late pre-Conquest times, the site is now known to have been occupied continuously for more than two millennia. Excavations have revealed the presence of late Pre-Classic (300 B.C. or earlier) ceremonial and residential construction north of t…
One Person's Impact on Archaeology
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The practice of primicias in San José Succotz, British Honduras (Belize)
1972). The practice of primicias in San Jose Succotz, British Honduras (Belize) Ethnos: Vol. 37, No. 1-4, pp. 88-96
Of Watery Rocks and Slumbering Crocs: Reassessing Middle Preclassic Occupation at Altun Ha and Lamanai, Belize
Excavations in northeastern Belize have generated one of the more detailed regional databases of Middle Preclassic (1000–350 b.c.) settlement in the Maya Lowlands, providing the basis for developmental models of later Maya civilization. Modest Classic period architecture permitted extensive exposures of early occupations at several sites, but contemporaneous settlements at large, later centers remain poorly understood, despite the insights they m…
Shattered: Object fragmentation and social enchainment in the eastern Maya lowlands
The houses in which they dwelt: The excavation and dating of Taino wooden structures at Los Buchillones, Cuba
Excavations at Los Buchillones, on Cuba's north central coast, have revealed the existence of not only numerous wooden artifacts but also remarkably well preserved thatch-roofed wooden structures. We present here the results of two series of AMS date determinations undertaken on structural elements together with comments on the significance of the dates, accompanied by ethnohistoric observations regarding Taino buildings of a generally similar na…
The Ceramics of Tikal: Vessels from the Burials, Caches and Problematical Deposits
Perspectives
Palenque: The Walker-Caddy Expedition to the Ancient Maya City, 1839-1840
Metal Artifacts from Amapa, Nayarit, Mexico
Artifacts recovered during U.C.L.A. excavations in 1959 are described in terms of a new typological classification for Mesoamerican metal artifacts. In addition to a number of artifact types known elsewhere in Mesoamerica, the excavations yielded several new forms. Possible relationships of Amapa, and West Mexico in general, to other areas of Mesoamerica, suggested by similarities in metal artifacts, are discussed. Association of metals with Maza…
Additional Data on Fired Clay Human Figurines from California
Since the analysis by R. F. Heizer and R. K. Beardsley (1943) of 7 fired clay figurines from 3 localities in California, archaeological investigations in the central and northern areas of the state have produced more knowledge of the types and occurrence of this form.The 25 figurines discussed here include 3 from site 4-Son-299, 4 from site 4-Mrn-168, sites excavated by the University of California Archaeological Survey, and 18 from Gunther Islan…
Further Data on Pacific Coast Fired Clay Figurines
Since publication in 1955 of a comment by R. F. Heizer and the present author concerning fired clay figurines in California (Heizer and Pendergast 1955), some additional data have come to light which are suggestive of a need for revision of views on the distributional pattern of this trait on the Pacific Coast.In March of 1956 Roscoe Barkhurst of Tulelake, California, submitted to the author for analysis 2 fragmentary figurines which had been col…
Ecological Interpretation in Archaeology: Part II
In a previous paper (Meighan and others 1958), we considered techniques whereby the archaeologist can derive conclusions concerning prehistoric man's relationship to his environment. We limited our study to hunting and gathering societies since we felt that these were most directly and intimately affected by environment. In the present discussion, we have attempted to expand our study to include archaeological communities marked by the presence o…
Ecological Interpretation in Archaeology: Part I
Interpretations of man's relationship to his environment are basic to the understanding of archaeological data. Such interpretations are made by almost all archaeologists in the course of presenting their findings, and there is a growing trend toward more precise delineation of human ecology in prehistoric times. Yet much archaeological writing of this sort tends to be sketchy and fragmentary, and techniques of value are often overlooked or ignor…
Folk Traditions as Historical Fact: A Paiute Example
proved in many cases to be consistent with archaeological evidence. This suggested that the Paiute had preserved some historical knowledge of the Puebloid people for about 800 years, during which period accurate information was transmitted in an oral tradition. In the summer of 1956, only seven specific statements relating to the prehistoric people, called Mukwitch by the Paiute, were collected. Five of these seven statements are to some extent v…
Metal Artifacts from Amapa, Nayarit, Mexico
Artifacts recovered during U.C.L.A. excavations in 1959 are described in terms of a new typological classification for Mesoamerican metal artifacts. In addition to a number of artifact types known elsewhere in Mesoamerica, the excavations yielded several new forms. Possible relationships of Amapa, and West Mexico in general, to other areas of Mesoamerica, suggested by similarities in metal artifacts, are discussed. Association of metals with Maza…
Metal Artifacts in Prehispanic Mesoamerica
Metal artifacts are discussed as possible indicators of relationships within Mesoamerica and between Mesoamerica and the American Southwest. All known forms of Mesoamerican metal artifacts for which age and provenience data are available are included in a typological classification, presented as a basis for comparisons and distribution studies. Data on spatial and temporal distribution, with indications of centers of manufacture or use of some ty…
Palenque: The Walker-Caddy Expedition to the Ancient Maya City, 1839-1840
A. H. Anderson, 1901-1967
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. As you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button
Palenque: The Walker-Caddy Expedition to the Ancient Maya City, 1839-1840
Palenque: The Walker-Caddy Expedition to the Ancient Maya City, 1839-1840
A Maya Tooth Offering from Yakalche, British Honduras
Four Maya Pottery Vessels from British Honduras
Chance discoveries in recent years in British Honduras have produced four pottery vessels of considerable interest, ranging in date from late Preclassic to Late Classic. Three of the vessels suggest relationship between British Honduran sites and Tikal, while the fourth is decorated with a complex scene not elsewhere recorded in the Maya area
Mexican Archaeology. An Introduction to the Archaeology of the Mexican and Mayan Civilizations of Pre-Spanish America
Altun Ha, British Honduras (Belize): The Sun God's Tomb
Evidence of Early Teotihucan-Lowland Maya Contact at Altun Ha
Discovery of a typical Miccaotli phase offering at Altun Ha, British Honduras (Belize) indicates contact between Teotihuacan and the central Maya lowlands in the second century A.D., 2.5 to 3 centuries earlier than previously recognized
The practice of primicias in San José Succotz, British Honduras (Belize)
1972). The practice of primicias in San Jose Succotz, British Honduras (Belize) Ethnos: Vol. 37, No. 1-4, pp. 88-96
Die Zeremonialzentren der Maya: Ein Beitrag zur Untersuchung der Planungsprinzipien
Die Zeremonialzentren der Maya: Ein Beitrag zur Untersuchung der Planungsprinzdpien
The Classic Maya Collapse
Lamanai, Belize: Summary of Excavation Results, 1974–1980
Excavations at the ancient Maya center of Lamanai, Belize, were begun in 1974 and are expected to continue through 1983. Selected because the presence of a 16th-century Spanish church indicated occupation in late pre-Conquest times, the site is now known to have been occupied continuously for more than two millennia. Excavations have revealed the presence of late Pre-Classic (300 B.C. or earlier) ceremonial and residential construction north of t…
Lamanai, Belize: Summary of Excavation Results, 1974-1980
The Kaminaljuyu Chiefdom
Excavations at Altun Ha, Belize, 1964-1970, Volume 1
Excavations at Altun Ha, Belize, 1964-1970
Archaeology (47 works) · Geography (43 works) · History (33 works) · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies (29 works) · Maya (23 works) · History (20 works) · Geology (19 works) · Geology (17 works) · Ancient history (16 works) · Art (16 works)