Cerros
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Cerros is a Maya archaeological site in northern Belize that reached its apogee during the Mesoamerican Late Preclassic (Sharer 1994:181). The site is strategically located on a peninsula at the mouth of the New River where it empties into Chetumal Bay. As such, the site had access to and served as an intermediary link between the coastal trade route that circumnavigated the Yucatán Peninsula and inland communities. The inhabitants of Cerros constructed an extensive canal system and utilized raised-field agriculture.
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[edit] Site organization
The core of the site immediately abuts the bay and consists of several relatively large structures and stepped pyramids, an acropolis complex, and two ballcourts. Bounding the southern side of the site is a crescent-shaped canal network that encloses the central portion of the site and encloses several raised-fields. Residential structures continue outside of the canal, generally radiating southwest and southeast; raised-fields are also present outside of the canal system (Sharer 1994:118-122).
[edit] Structure 5C-2nd
The northern most structural complex, located adjacent to the waterline, is referred to as Structure 5C-2nd, which contains a modest size temple. Estimated to have built around AD 50, the organization of Structure 5C–2nd adheres to that of an E-Group. Of importance are four stucco mask reliefs placed against the platform’s stepped walls and that flank either side of the stairway leading up the complex’s central pyramid. These four masks, which face southward towards Cerros’ core, have been interpreted as reflecting general themes prevalent in Maya mythology, specifically those pertaining to Maya astronomy emphasizing the movement of the sun and Venus through the sky.
The four masks, as mentioned, flank the structure’s main stairway, are located on two different levels (separate stepped façades), and face outward towards the site center. When looking at the structure and its four masks, they appear as such: upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right.
- Lower right: contains hieroglyphs for first (yax) and sun (k’in), and an additional element representing the horizon. This mask has been interpreted as representing the rising sun
- Lower left: interpreted as representing the setting sun
- Upper masks: represent Venus as the morning and evening star.
The masks have also been interpreted as representing the Maya Hero Twins of the Popul Vuh, Ixbalanque and Hun-Ahpu. If so, they may indicate an assertion similar to that of the divine right of kings, wherein the rulers of Cerros may have legitimized their sociopolitical position by claiming ties to the mythical twins. The four-mask pattern has also been documented at the massive El Tigre pyramid at El Mirador, one of the largest Preclassic centers of the Maya area.
[edit] Present-day conditions
Much of the site remains unexcavated. It is now possible to travel to Cerros over a gravel road from Corozal Town. There is an archaeological information officer on site.
[edit] References
- Sharer, Robert J. (1994) The Ancient Maya (5th edition). Stanford University Press, Stanford.
