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Structure M8-11:
An Overview of Excavations


Structure M8-11 was a range structure with exterior dimensions of roughly 38 x 12 m and contained five rooms, each of them furnished with a bench in the rear part. We excavated part of the northernmost room and the room next to it. Numerous ceramic vessels were recovered with a high portion (45 % by rim counts) of them being serving vessels. This suggests that food consumption was an important function of the excavated area. It is probable that this was a dwelling, but we cannot dismiss the possibility that it was a communal building.


The functions of Strs. M7-34 and M8-11 are not clear. They faced the Causeway and were surrounded by stone walls. The spaces in front of benches were divided by walls running parallel to the long axis of the building. The front parts of the buildings were wide open toward the outside, and spaces were divided only by stone features that may be called pillars rather than front walls. While Str. M8-11 was only partially excavated, completely exposed Str. M7-34 provided more information. The analysis of excavated materials from Str. M7-34 is still in progress, but the number of ceramic vessels in this structure appears to be relatively small. It is important to note the presence of an incense burner and at least six large limestone metates that were probably used for grinding corn. Other dwellings contained no incense burners and only one or two large limestone metates per structure. Inomata speculates that Str. M7-34 was a communal house where feasting took place.