LITHIC AND FAUNAL EVIDENCE FOR CRAFT PRODUCTION AMONG THE MIDDLE PRECLASSIC MAYA AT CEIBAL, GUATEMALA

Abstract This study examines artifact production using lithic, animal bone, and shell materials at the lowland Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala, to explore emergence societal role early crafting specialists. During Middle Preclassic period (1000–350 b.c. ), ancient society went through a critical transition sedentary settlements, including development large-scale monumental construction endeavors for ceremonial activities, increasingly nucleated settlement patterns, differential control prestigious objects. Excavations across Ceibal recovered one largest assemblages lithic faunal material date. We examine these in order understand nature their manufacturing processes, association between bone/shell processing meat production, compare activities with evidence from other sites later Classic period. find that middens are often disturbed or incorporated into episodes over many generations, making identification such difficult, although not impossible, identify archaeologically. Evidence is found near structures where Ceibal's elite would have been present, suggesting they were closely involved process.