Investigating Ancient Maya Late Postclassic Period Households and the Associated Function of the Buildings at Santa Rita Corozal, Belize

Previous archaeological research conducted by the Corozal Postclassic Project (1979-1985) focused primarily on the Postclassic Period at the site of Santa Rita Corozal in northern Belize. Through that research, Santa Rita was demonstrated as an important Postclassic Maya city which likely served as the capital of the ancient Maya province of Chetumal. Given the major reorganization that occurred in the Maya Lowlands at the end of the Classic Period, the assessment of a Postclassic site would demonstrate what, if any changes in the organization of Postclassic Period sites, took place. An extensive analysis of the associated artifact assemblages of six selected household or plazuela groups at Santa Rita Corozal was undertaken to more thoroughly understand the organization of a Postclassic Period household to determine the functions served by individual buildings within these groups. This research expounds on the implied functions of buildings based on the variation of artifact distributions from selected household groups at Santa Rita Corozal. This study contributes to a better understanding of ancient Maya households and the intricacies of a Late Postclassic community