| Str. M7-35, measuring 10.1 x 6.2 m on the exterior, had three rooms in its main section, and three small rooms in the back (Fig. 10). We refer to them as the east room, central room, west room, and back rooms. The quality of construction was slightly better than Str. M8-10. We did not excavate the NE corner of the structure because of a standing tree in this section. The distribution pattern of artifacts clearly differentiates one room from another. | |
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Though superior construction, including a wide bench with a niche, characterized the central room, the quantity of artifacts in this room was relatively small. Recovered artifacts included three jars, several small bowls, a few cylinder vases, long obsidian blades, and a bone imitation of a stingray spine. Of special interest was a finely elaborated polychrome vase found directly in front of the niche. We believe that the vase was originally placed in the niche. At Cerén and Copán, excavators have found ceramic vessels in niches (Sanders 1989: 97; Sheets 1992: 65-68). The painting of this vessel presented glyphic texts and a court scene with a noble receiving visitors (Fig. 13) (Inomata 1995: fig. 8.62, 1997: fig. 15). It is probable that the central room was where the resident(s) received visitors, precisely as depicted on the vase. The imitation stingray spine and long obsidian blades appear to have been placed close together on the eastern edge of the bench and were possibly related to ritual bloodletting. | |
We found even fewer artifacts in the east room, which
suggests that it may have been a sleeping area. A small number of artifacts
recovered from this room included figurine fragments. In contrast, excavations
in the west room revealed numerous artifacts, such as jars, plates, bowls,
and a large metate and mano. The room was probably used for storage and food
preparation. Since a large part of the bench was taken up by the metate and
storage jars, it is unlikely that this room was a living or sleeping space
unless it was for a servant. (Distribution of the mano, metate, mortar, pestle, and spindle whorls in Str. M7-35. The sizes of symbols for the mano and metate are to scale, and others are not to scale.) | |
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The back rooms were smaller and of lower-quality construction. Excavated materials included coarse chert tools, polished greenstone axes, and utilitarian vessels. These rooms were too small to be living or sleeping spaces. Most axes showed heavy use-wear, and it is probable that the back rooms were related to certain manufacturing activities such as wood carving.  (Distribution of ceramic vessels in Str. M7-35. The sizes of symbols are to scale.) | |
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Interpretation of the identity of the resident(s) of Str. M7-35 is problematic. The proximity to the Palace Group and its construction quality may indicate that the occupant(s) was/were of slightly higher status than those of Str. M8-10. One possibility is that a priest or wood carver was living alone in this structure. Landa stated that a priest and war leader called nacom was elected every three years and that he avoided contact with other people, particularly with women during his assignment (Tozzer 1941: 122-123). Landa also wrote that wood carvers and priests stayed in a special structure where other people were not allowed to enter when they carved wooden statues (Tozzer 1941: 159-160). It is possible that Classic Maya centers contained buildings for priests and other special offices, which may have been comparable to those of the Contact period or to cargo holders among the modern Maya. The location of Str. M7-35, which projects into the Causeway, may also point to its special character distinct from ordinary residences. The total amount of ceramics and lithics from this structure is roughly one-sixth of those from Str. M8-10, which is also consonant to the hypothesis that the structure was occupied by one person or a small number of individuals. This interpretation of Str. M7-35 is, however, admittedly speculative. It is also important to note that the assemblage includes a large metate and spindle whorls, which indicate food preparation and spinning activities in this building. |