Aguateca Introduction

Aguateca is a Maya center of a moderate size located at the southeastern edge of the Petexbatún horst, or an up-lifted high terrain consisting of limestone formations (Dunning and Beach 1994; Dunning et al. 1991). The center of Aguateca is well demarcated topographically. The eastern side of Aguateca is the Petexbatún escarpment, that is steeper around this center than in other parts of the region, occasionally forming vertical cliffs measuring 10 to 20 m in height. An impressive Grieta (chasm) runs through the site parallel to the escarpment (Graham 1967).

This geological feature measures nearly 50 to 60 m in depth and 5 to 15 m in width in most places. Its walls consist of solid limestone formations and stand perpendicularly. The southern and western sides of the center are delimited by a deep and steep gorge, while the northern edge is demarcated by large sink holes (Figure 3). These topographic features make this center highly defensible, which was most likely one of the primary reasons for the locational decision in developing this fortified capital.

The earliest evidence of occupation at Aguateca comes from the Late Preclassic period (B.C. 300 - A.D. 350) (Foias 1996:262-269; Inomata 1995). The results of the test excavation of large platforms in the western part of the Aguateca center (Platforms K6-1, L6-1, and L6-2) indicate that they were constructed during this period (Moscoso 1991a, 1991b; Wolley 1992). It is likely that other large platforms and one pyramid (Str. K6-1) also date to the same period. These Late Preclassic buildings at Aguateca are similar to contemporaneous architecture at Seibal (Tourtellot 1988:274-284). To date we have no evidence of occupation during the Early Classic period (A.D. 350 - 600). It has been suggested that Seibal was also nearly unoccupied between A.D. 500 and 700 (Sabloff 1975:15; Tourtellot 1988:392-393; Willey 1990).

Epigraphic studies indicate that there existed only one dynasty with an emblem glyph in the Petexbatún region seated at Tamarindito and Arroyo de Piedra at the beginning of the Late Classic period, or early seventh century (Houston 1987, 1993; Houston and Mathews 1985). Although data from Aguateca for this phase are sketchy, it is probable that the area around Aguateca was governed by the Tamarindito/Arroyo de Piedra dynasty. The only possible remains from this phase detected at Aguateca are Groups M6-5 and M6-6 (Chinchilla 1991). Patrick Culbert (personal communication 1993) has suggested that some ceramics from burials found in this group date to the Tepeu I phase (ca. A.D. 600-700), or the early part of the Late Classic period. Moreover, the architectural style of this group is dissimilar to those in other parts of Aguateca. A significant portion of residential structures in this center possess wall construction with vertically placed slabs or blocks, high benches, and room partitions. Structures in Groups M6-5 and M6-6 lack these features and possess low benches. These buildings at Aguateca may share similar architectural styles with non-elite residential structures at Tamarindito. Although data on domestic structures at Tamarindito is still scarce, a site map (Chinchilla 1993) and excavation results (Demarest et al., editors 1995), as well as my surface observation, have suggested that many non-elite residential structures at Tamarindito also lack room partitions.

Probably at the end of the Tepeu I phase or at the beginning of the Tepeu II phase (around A.D. 700), Aguateca turned into a densely occupied center. Among 704 mapped structures, I calculated that 622 were Late Classic (A.D. 600-830) domestic buildings, which include dwellings, kitchens, and other ancillary structures, but exclude Preclassic, civic, and extremely small buildings. The structure densities in the Aguateca center are 718 str./km2 for all structures and 635 str./km2 for Late Classic domestic buildings. These figures are considerably higher than those of other lowland Maya sites. Among systematically surveyed Classic Maya centers, only Copán possesses a higher structure densities, providing the figure of 1,232 str./km2 in the 0.6 km2 urban core (Rice and Culbert 1990: Tables 1.1. and 1.2; Webster and Freter 1990).

Epigraphic studies show that after its establishment in the Petexbatún region the Dos Pilas/Aguateca dynasty expanded its power rapidly through successful war engagements (Houston 1987, Houston and Stuart 1990). Yet, its prosperity did not last long. Ruler 4 of this dynasty appears to have been captured by a Tamarindito/Arroyo de Piedra lord in A.D. 761 (Houston 1987; Houston and Mathews 1985). Investigations at Dos Pilas by Demarest, Palka, and others (Demarest 1990, Demarest et al. 1991b, 1995; Palka 1995) demonstrated that this primary center was abandoned by the elite soon after the possible capture of Ruler 4. A small number of remaining population lived for a time in the former ceremonial plaza defended by concentric walls. A later ruler, who Houston (1993) named "the Ruler of Aguateca," stayed at Aguateca, probably because of the defensible location of this center. Monuments dedicated at Aguateca by earlier rulers were small compared to those at Dos Pilas, but "the Ruler of Aguateca" started to erect large stelae, which implies that Aguateca became the primary capital of the dynasty (Houston 1987:286). The last known monuments dedicated by "the Ruler of Aguateca" date to 9.18.0.0.0 (A.D. 790) (Graham 1967; Houston and Mathews 1985; Inomata 1995:232-235). We have only recovered an extremely small amount of Terminal Classic ceramics, that started to appear around A.D. 830 at Seibal (Foias 1996; Sabloff 1975). It is likely that Aguateca was almost completely abandoned by A.D. 830.