Detecting "Invisible" Dwellings in the Maya Area Using Electromagnetic Induction

Significant Findings of a Pilot Study at Chau Hiix, Belize

Bibliographic Data

ID4373876
AuthorsTracy L Sweely
Year2005
Volume16
Issue2
Pages193-208
Publication date2005-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLatin American Antiquity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1045-6635 • E-ISSN: 2325-5080
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/30042811
OpenAlexW2329321044
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited9

Settlement studies of the prehispanic Lowland Maya have tended to rely upon dwelling remains that are visible at the ground surface, though floors and living surfaces that leave no surface indications are known to exist. Such "invisible" dwellings have been encountered beneath platforms and in "vacant terrain" lacking surface indications of architecture, and given more systematic attention, could represent a sizable and socially significant segment of the prehispanic populations in the region. This paper describes the application of electromagnetic induction, a geophysical technique, for locating nonplatform dwellings at Chau Hiix, Belize. A conductivity signature for nonplatform dwellings was identified that includes plaster, nonplatform floors, both in an area of vacant terrain and beneath a residential terrace, in association with trash pits and episodes of limestone bedrock mining, presumably for the acquisition of raw material for the floor. The technique also holds promise for locating ground-level floors, use-areas, and possibly footpaths. While this pilot study was limited in scope, it demonstrates the enormous potential of electromagnetic induction for locating these otherwise elusive features

Archaeology · Bedrock · Cartography · Geography · Geomorphology · Maya · Mining engineering · Settlement (finance · Terrace (agriculture · Terrain · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Computer Science · Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Geology

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