Graduation Semester and Year

2009

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Anthropology

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

First Advisor

Kathryn M. Brown

Abstract

This thesis examines the marine shell artifacts recovered from Structure B1 at the site of Blackman Eddy, Belize. Typological and taxonomic analyses provided useful information on the types of artifacts used and the species utilized at the site. Two categories were identified in this assemblage, 1) worked shell artifacts and 2) shell debitage. An analysis of both worked shell artifacts and shell debitage was important to this study as it provided information about the use and significance of each category in the past. A contextual analysis helped to identify patterns of use and deposition. Examining the contextual designations of all marine shell artifacts recovered provided information about the use life of the artifacts themselves and the value of these artifacts to the ancient inhabitants. Finally, a diachronic perspective was used to examine the results of the typological, taxonomic, and contextual analyses to identify changes in shell use patterns over a 2,000-year period. The examination of the dataset diachronically allowed for the recognition of patterns of continuity and discontinuity within the assemblage.

Disciplines

Anthropology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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