Residential architecture on Albion Island, Belize

Abstract

The discovery of small, residential-sized mounds in the northern Yucatan composed of solid or nearly solid rubble limestone triggered a vigorous debate within Maya archaeology over the actual function of these mounds. Many Mayanists found it difficult to accept that these were indeed housemounds based on their size and composition. A review of recent excavations of similar mounds from various regions within the Maya area is combined with new evidence from Albion Island, Belize, to posit that rubble construction is merely an alternate form of construction dictated by geologic and geographical constraints. Group 200 on Albion Island is a group of five mounds which in size, shape, and cultural artifacts fall within the designation 'housemound,' but which are composed mainly of limestone cobbles and boulders.