Sampling Cerros' Demise: A Radiometric Check on the Elusive Protoclassic

Methodology

Because the CCADP focused on identifying and dating Protoclassic/Early Classic Hubul Phase deposits, a special effort was made to collect usable carbon samples from these deposits. Unfortunately, most contexts were not sealed by subsequent construction, and few datable samples were extracted; these stemmed primarily from Str. 4. Although systematically sought, no datable samples outside the monumental architectural core were obtained. Excavations did reveal good, sealed samples from earlier contexts. Of the 20+ contexts sampled by the CCADP, 15 were considered for this project (Figure 6) and, after pretreatment, 7 samples were selected for actual radiocarbon assay. At least one sample from every building providing charcoal was included for analysis, although one (Str. 3A) produced a modern date. Good dates were returned from Strs. 4A/B, 5E and 6A/E. Due to small sample size, AMS processing was required on all but one sample, adding expense and reducing the number of samples which ultimately could be tested. Three processed samples remain available for future AMS testing.

Six uncalibrated radiocarbon dates run in SMU's radiocarbon lab in the late 1970s were included in this analysis. Although the original data sheets are now unavailable, details about their reporting and context were drawn from Freidel and Scarborough (1982), Cliff (1982, pers. comm. 2004), Scarborough (1991) and Freidel (pers. comm. 2004). They were recalibrated to better compare with the new dates. Four of the six SMU dates stem from household or canal debris associated with the early village occupation. Of the two remaining, one sample (SMU-906) was drawn from Str. 29, a large pyramid considerably south of the site core. The last (SMU-776) was collected from a small public building within the nucleated village just east of the site core. Prior to the present research, SMU-776 had been the only radiocarbon assessment available for dating monumental construction in the site core itself, despite the fact that it was actually from the nucleated village below Plaza 2A.

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