Site 410 is 400m north of Site 411, 650m northwest of Site 128, and within 300m south of the Rio San Bartolo. The land here slopes up gradually from that perennial stream on the north towards Site 410, the settlement’s principal buildings (Strs. 410-1 and 410-2) occupying the crest where this ascent levels off to the south. On the surface, Site 410 appeared to contain one extensive, L-shaped structure which, after excavation, turned out to consist of two closely spaced platforms (Strs. 410-1 and -2). Structure 410-1 bounds a patio on the north while Str. 410-2 closes off this space on the west; the remaining directions are open. In addition, a surface-invisible construction (Str. 410-Sub1) was located 11.4m north of Str. 410-1. There was no evidence of looting at Site 410 when it was last visited in April, 1996 nor did the settlement appear to have suffered from significant disruption by that time.
Both physically salient edifices at Site 410 were completely cleared during excavations extending from March 4-April 3, 1996. In addition, 40 test pits were dug extending in the cardinal directions from the site center, one of these encountering Str. 410-Sub1 on the north. The latter was investigated but not fully exposed due to time limitations. Fully 147m2 were exposed in the course of work at Site 410 supervised by M. Turek assisted during the final weeks by R. Johnson.
Structure 410-1 (Figures **)
Structure 410-1, lying 0.45m northeast of Str. 410-2, bounds the Site 410 patio on the north. A total of 43m2 was excavated here in Subop. 410B and D, digging being carried down to a maximum depth of 1.02m and 0.45m below modern ground surface outside construction and into architectural fill, respectively. Two principal construction phases were identified in the course of this work directed by M. Turek.
| Time Span | Construction Phase | Units | Strata | Features | Date |
| 1 | - | - | S.1-5 | - | LCLII/III? |
| 2 | Str. 410-1-2nd | U.1-6 | - | - | LCLIII/II |
| 3 | Str. 410-1-1st | U.7-31 | F.1 | - | LCLIII/II |
| 4 |
- |
- |
S.6-7 | F.2 | - |
Time Span 1
Covering S.1 by 0.18-0.22m is S.2, a dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) loosely consolidated soil that contains a few rocks and artifacts. Stratum 2 dips down from north-to-south, dropping 0.13m over the 0.44m where it blankets S.1. It then continues to rise at a more gradual slope on the north, ascending an additional 0.21m across 2.3m in this direction. From this point for at least 1.7m northward S.2 levels out and runs more-or-less evenly.
Unlike S.1 and 2, S.3 was located only on the south side of Str. 410-1-1st where it was encountered in a probe 1.94m beyond that building’s southern basal facing (U.7). This dark yellowish-brown (10YR 3/4), hard compacted, rock-free level declines 0.15m over an exposed 1m from south-to-north. Strata 2 and 3 are fairly similar in color and may represent the same layer whose expression varies somewhat over its full extent. If so, Str. 410-1 seems to have been built over a broad, shallow depression defined on the south and north by the sloping surfaces of S.3 and 2, respectively (said dip is approximately 10.26m across). What created this dip is not known, though it may be part of a shallow run-off channel.
Strata 4 and 5 seem to be continuations of the same earth level encountered in discontinuous segments south and north of Str. 410-1-1st, respectively. They consist of brown/dark grown (10YR 4/3) loosely consolidated gravelly soil that seems to have been the base for later construction (at least for Str. 410-1-1st). Unlike S.2 and 3, S.4/5 runs more-or-less flat over long distances, dropping 0.12m over 11.2m south-to-north. Whether intentionally introduced or not, S.4/5 had the effect of evening out the surface on which at least Str. 410-1's final version was erected.
Recovery of artifacts from S.2 indicates human presence in the area prior to construction of any version of Str. 410-1.
Overall, TS.1 witnesses the gradual, probably, natural deposition of S.1-3, these levels filling in, and/or being cut by, a shallow channel that most likely fed into the Rio San Bartolo. The introduction of S.4 and 5 seems to have filled in this presumed run-off, creating a relatively flat surface for construction. Whether Site 410's builders introduced S.4 and 5 to facilitate their construction plans or took advantage of a fortuitous in-filling event to build their edifices is unknown.
Time Span 2
Structure 410-1-2nd is a stone-faced platform whose form is largely hidden beneath renovations made during TS.3. Its perimeter is defined by cobble facings standing 0.3-0.43m high (U.2-5) that bound a nearly square platform measuring 3.42x3.64m. These walls contain fill (U.6) composed of a mixture of earth (a dark yellowish-brown [10YR 3/4], loosely compacted soil) and some stones. How the summit might have been organized remains unknown; subsequent construction during TS.3 significantly modified this space leaving little of whatever earlier architecture might have existed here in place. One possible survivor of this rush to renovate is U.1. The latter construction is a cobble line flush with the summit surface, exposed for 1m at an orientation of 85 degrees, and at least 0.1m wide; the element’s north side is obscured beneath later architecture (U.24). Unit 1 may have been a footing for a room divider that partitioned the superstructure into two enclosures. The northern compartment measures 2.15x3.42m while its southern neighbor encompasses 1.5x3.42m. Any additional architectural elements that once graced this superstructure were removed or hidden by later, TS. 3, construction.
Overall, Str. 410-1-2nd was a 0.3-0.43m high stone-faced platform covering 12.5m2 and aligned roughly 2 degrees. Its summit was divided into at least two rooms set in a south-north line and measuring approximately 5.1m2 and 7.4m2, respectively. No other fragments of superstructure architecture were identified, though significant modifications to the edifice during TS.3 may have obscured or obliterated such features. All Str. 410-1-2nd units are fashioned of unmodified river cobbles set in a mud mortar and oriented so that their naturally flatter aspects are directed outwards.
Time Span 3
Structure 410-1-1st’s builders used the edifice’s predecessor, Str. 410-1-2nd, as a core onto which they appended additions. The complexity of these modifications implies that they were introduced over a protracted span. At some point in the sequence, the platform’s basal facings were transformed to varying degrees. On the south, U. 7, a 0.35m wide by 0.33m high facing was appended onto, and buried the lower portion of, U.2. The latter seems to have projected ca. 0.1m above the top of its southern addition, creating a set of two steps that run for all but the western-most 0.45m of Str. 410-1-1st’s south face (no effort was made to continue U2's line west of its earlier corner with U.3). On the west, U.8 fronts and buries U.3 over that facing’s southern extent. Unit 8 runs 2.36m north from its intersection with U.7, stepping back 0.32m to the east where it abuts U.3; the latter continues to define Str. 410-1-1st’s western facing north of this point. Roughly 0.28m was added to U.3's northern terminus, bringing it in line with U.9, the newly established northern basal wall. Unit 9, 0.26m high, envelopes U.4 and corners with U.10 which runs south for 2.76m fronting and covering U.5. Unit 10, in its turn, then extends back 0.68m westward where it abuts U.5's southern continuation. That portion of U.5 left exposed during TS.3 then proceeds south where it corners with U.7, forming Str. 410-1-1st’s southeast corner. The resulting basal platform has the appearance of two adjoining rectangles the northern of which is offset 0.32-0.68m east of its southern neighbor. The southern element defined by the U.7/2 steps on the south, along with U.8 and 5 on the west and east, respectively, measures 1.82m (on the east) to 2.55m (on the west) and is 3.75m long; its northern neighbor delimited by U.3, 9, and 10 covers 2.65x4.05m.
The superstructure was entered from the south over the U.7/2 steps which gave way to a 0.65x0.95m stone-surfaced vestibule (U.16) in the building’s approximate center. The entryway is bounded on the east and west by stone footings 0.14-0.23m high by 0.3-0.45m wide (U.15 and 20, respectively). Unit 15 runs back 1.45m to the north where it intersects the latest version of the summit’s east-west running medial wall, U.24. East of U.15 on the summit there is a narrow space, 0.3m wide, open on the east. This elevated area may have been under the eaves and provided a space where people could sit out of the elements. Unit 20 on the west is L-shaped, the southern leg extending 0.9m west from its exterior corner with its eastern element. The western leg of U.20 runs immediately behind (north of) U.2 and may have deflected traffic up these steps east towards U.16. In the crux formed by U.20 there is a stone-floored cubicle (U.14) measuring 0.55x0.76m. This diminutive space is bordered by an earthen-floored compartment on the north (U.17, covering 0.55x1.6m; U.1 is visible on U.17's northeast margin). On the west, U.14 is bounded by a ca. 0.14m high stone-faced, earth-surfaced bench (U.13) that is 1.75m long north-south by 0.9m wide east-west. The southern rectangular platform composing Str. 410-1-1st, therefore, supported a formal vestibule that gave way on the north to an L-shaped room; the east-west running segment of the enclosure is earthen-floored U.17 while its stone-surfaced southern extension (U.14) runs south from U.17's western margin. A bench (U.13) is located in a secluded spot on the room’s western edge, reaching U.13 requiring turning left after entering across U.16.
Going straight ahead through the 0.46m wide doorway in the medial wall (U.11) provides access to the northern rectangular platform’s summit. Unit 11 is an east-west running wall which is very roughly 0.2m high by 0.3m wide and divides the summit into southern and northern segments. The latter is dominated by two extensive, stone-faced benches. Continuing the line of U.11's western doorjamb to the north is a ca. 0.25m high by 2.05m long stone-faced, earthen-surfaced bench that measures 1.35m across its approximate center (U.21). Facing the doorway over a small space floored with a mixture of earth and stone (U.29) is another bench (U.18). Unit 29 measures 0.7x1.2m whereas U.18 on its northern margin is 0.17m high, 1.58m long east-west, and 1.05m north-south. The latter is faced and surfaced with stone and abuts U.21 on the west. Backing U.18 on the north is a 0.28m wide stone-surface (U. 30) set 0.18m below U.18's summit. Unit 30 is 1.58m long east-west, coterminous with U.18's extent, and is set 0.28m back (south) from the north face of U.9. The architectural significance of U.30 is unclear; it might have been a shelf wedged between the back of the U.18 bench and the superstructure’s outer northern wall (set on U.9). East of U.18/30 are two small enclosures open over the basal terrace facings. The northern of these entities (U.22) covers 0.55m east-west by 0.9m north-south and is paved with stones. Unit 22 is bounded by U.18 on the west and a 0.26m high by 0.35m wide footing on the south (U.19). A moderately dense concentration of bajareque (F.1) was found resting on U.29's floor, buried under architectural debris fallen from U.18. These fragments of burnt earth may be remnants of the perishable walls that formerly defined the superstructure’s eastern limit. Immediately south of U.19 is another cubicle, this one covering 0.45x1m and surfaced with a mixture of earth and stone (U.31). Unit 31 is bordered on the west by U.20, a 0.3m high by 0.3m wide stone foundation while its southern limit is defined by the eastward continuation of U.11. Unit 31 was completely open to the east over U.10, Str.410-1-1st’s eastern basal facing. The summit of the northern rectangular platform, hence, supports two sizable benches bordered on the east by two diminutive enclosures that were open where they overlooked the platform’s basal facings. There is no clear sign that these compartments could be accessed from within the superstructure–more likely, their contents were retrieved by reaching into them from outside the building.
Some of the latest additions to Str. 410-1-1st consist of a room appended to the edifice’s eastern flank and changes made in the medial wall. In the latter case, U.11 was superseded or, perhaps, simply widened by the construction of U.24. The latter is 0.3m high and extends 0.2m south of U.11. In the process of adding U.24 the doorway connecting the northern and southern segments of the superstructure was preserved. Rather than running the full east-west width of the summit, as U.11 had done, U.24 stops on the west where it abuts U.13. The upshot of this modification was the creation of a medial wall that was 0.5m wide over all but its westernmost extent where it narrows to ca. 0.3m and borders U.13 on the north.
Construction of U.26, 27, and 28 created an earthen-floored, surface-level room whose western margin is defined by U.5, Str. 410-1-1st’s southeast basal wall. Units 26, 27, and 28 stand 0.17-0.25m high and are 0.65m to, minimally, 0.25m across (the east face of the eastern foundation [U.27] was not encountered). The space defined by these units measures 0.95x1.4m and is completely open on the south. An indentation, covering 0.3x0.4m, is located in the compartment’s northwest interior corner. Units 26 and 28 abut U.10, the platform’s northeast basal wall.
By TS.3's conclusion, Str. 410-1-1st was a 0.3-0.44m high platform covering 18.9m2 and aligned roughly 2 degrees. Two steps span most of the southern flank and give access to a stone-paved vestibule measuring 0.62m2. This space was, in turn, succeeded on the north by an L-shaped room encompassing 1.3m2 bordered on the west by a 0.14m high, 1.75m long, by 0.9m wide stone-faced and earth-surfaced bench. The latter was situated in such a way that its occupants could not be seen through the door; one had to turn left when leaving the vestibule to encounter the U.13 bench. The 0.46m wide door into the northern enclosure is also offset from the southern entryway, again ensuring the privacy of those using the two stone-faced benches in this back room. The last two constructions together form an ‘L’ fronted by an 0.84m2 floor of earth and stone. The earthen-surfaced western stem of the ‘L’ is ca. 0.25m high, 2.05m long north-south, and 1.35m wide; the stone-paved eastern leg extends 1.58m to the east, is 0.17m high by 1.05m wide. A 0.28m wide stone shelf runs along the north face of the latter bench and is set roughly 0.18m below that unit’s top. Immediately east of the north room are two small cubicles covering 0.5m2 and 0.45m2, set in a north-south line, and open over Str. 410-1-1's basal facings. The northern compartment is paved with stones, its southern neighbor surfaced with a mix of earth and stone. There is no obvious passage linking either the southern or northern superstructure enclosures with the eastern cubicles, suggesting that the latter were accessed from outside the building. A 1.45m long by 0.3m wide portion of the summit, completely open to the east, lies immediately south of the eastern compartments and may have provided a seat sheltered from the elements. An earthen floored room erected on ground surface and measuring 1.33m2 was added directly east of this space late in TS.3. This enclosure is open to the south and is bordered on the west by Str. 410-1-1st’s southeast basal facing.
Time Span 3 construction of Str. 410-1-1st consists primarily of river cobbles set in a mud mortar, their naturally flatter aspects directed outwards. A few angular stones are also included in these units.
Time Span 4
Following Str. 410-1-1st’s abandonment, the building was covered by the natural deposition of S.6 and 7. The former is a brown/dark brown (10YR 4/3) tightly compacted, root-rich soil that covers S.2, 4, and 5 north and south of the platform by 0.09-0.46m. Stratum 7, a dark yellowish brown (10YR 3/4) loosely compacted soil, is localized on the building’s summit where it grades imperceptibly into Str. 410-1-1st’s fill (U.6). Moderately dense concentrations of stones tumbled from final-phase construction (F.2) were found embedded in S.6 and resting on the S.6 basal interface up to 1.26m south and 2.74m north of construction. Beyond these limits, F.2 thins out and its component rocks are widely dispersed.
Structure 410-2 (Figures **)
Structure 410-2 was originally mapped as a western continuation of Str. 410-1. Excavation revealed that what appeared to be one edifice on the surface was, in fact, two buildings separated by a scant 0.45m. Structure 410-2 extends south from a point approximately equivalent to Str. 410-1-1st’s southwest corner and closes off the east side of the patio bordered by Str. 410-1 on the north. Fully 28m2 were dug in Subop.410C in the course of completely exposing Str. 410-2. Digging was pursued to maximum depths of 0.28m and 0.64m below modern ground surface within and outside architecture, respectively. One major building phase, subsequently modified by additions made to the edifice’s north and west flanks, was identified in the course of this work. Investigation of Str. 410-2 was overseen by M. Turek assisted by R. Johnson.
| Time Span | Construction Phase | Units | Strata | Features | Date |
| 1 | - | - | S.1-2 | - | LCLII/III |
| 2 | Str. 410-2-1st | U.1-4, 7, 8 | - | - | LCLIII/II |
| 3 | Str. 410-2-1st | U.5-6, 9 | - | - | LCLIII/II |
| 4 |
- |
- |
S.3 | F.1 | - |
Time Span 1
This interval witnessed the natural deposition of S.1 and 2. The former is a dark yellowish-brown (10YR 5/4) hard-packed silty soil with little included gravel. It was revealed to a maximum thickness of 0.11m at the base of excavation in a probe dug off Str. 410-2-1st’s south face (S.1's base was not encountered). Stratum 1 drops 0.02m from south-to-north over the 2m its was exposed. Stratum 2, a brown/dark brown (10R 4/3) silty, loosely consolidated soil covers S. 1 by 0.25-0.41m and contains a mix of gravel ranging from 0.2-2cm in diameter. This layer ascends 0.07m over 2.9m south-to-north, south of Str. 410-2-1st but maintains a level surface over the 1m it was uncovered north of the platform. Time Span 2 architecture rests on or is set ca. 0.05m into S.2.
Time Span 2
Structure 410-2-1st is a stone-faced platform bounded on all sides by basal walls standing ca. 0.35m tall (U.1-4). The fill retained by these constructions is a yellowish-brown (10YR 5/4), hard-packed silty soil (U.8). Surmounting this earthen core over all of Str. 410-2-1st’s summit is a stone pavement (U.7). Unit 7 runs out to U. 1-4. Otherwise, Str. 410-2-1st’s summit is featureless, lacking any other architecture.
Structure 410-2-1st, therefore, is a ca. 0.35m high stone-faced and -surfaced, earth-filled platform measuring 2.73x2.93m, and oriented approximately 354 degrees. The summit area is coterminous with the edges of the basal walls, covering 8m2. No other superstructure construction was noted. All TS.2 architecture is fashioned using a mix of river cobbles (predominately) and angular rocks set in a mud mortar. The naturally flatter faces of these stones are generally oriented outwards.
Time Span 3
During this span Str. 410-2-1st was expanded 0.3m and 0.56m to the north and west, respectively. In the former direction, U.5 covered its predecessor, U.1, while on the west, U.6 buried U.4; U.3, the southern basal facing, was retained but expanded 0.56m westward to form the platform’s new southwest corner with U.5. The summit’ form remained unchanged throughout TS.3, expanding now to encompass 10.63m2. The last construction attested to at Str. 410-2-1st is the addition of a ca. 0.15m high, 0.9m wide wall (U.9) that extends 1.32m south from its abutment with the platform’s southwest corner.
By the end of TS.3, Str. 410-2-1st covered 3.29x3.23m (10.63m2), still stood about 0.35m high, and retained its earlier orientation of roughly 354 degrees. The summit remained largely featureless, paved stones over its 10.63m2 extent. The architectural significance of the wall running south of, and appended to, the platform’s southwest corner is unclear; it may have been a shelf used in activities conducted off the building’s southern flank. All additions are fashioned from a mix of rocks dominated by river-rounded cobbles supplemented by angular stones, all set in a mud mortar. The naturally flatter aspects of most of these rocks are directed outward, though this tendency is not as clearly marked in the case of U.9 as it is in U.5 and 6.
Time Span 4
Following abandonment, Str. 410-2-1st was covered by S.3, a very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2), hard-packed, root-rich horizon. Stratum 3 blankets S. 2 by 0.1-0.33m. A moderately dense concentration of stones fallen from final-phase construction (F.1) is embedded in S. 3 and extends for 0.96m south, and at least 1m north, of Str.410-2-1st. Any of these rocks rest on the S.2/3 interface, suggesting that this level is close to the ancient ground surface above which Str. 410-2-1st was raised.
Structure 410-Sub1 (Figures **)
Remnants of Str. 410-Sub1 were encountered 11.4m north of Str. 410-1-1st in tests dug searching for activities unassociated with surface-visible architecture. Once signs of this building were identified, two days (April 2-3) were devoted to exposing as much of Str, 410-Sub1 as possible (not surprisingly, the edifice was encountered on the penultimate day of excavation). Fully 36m2 were dug within Subop. 410I revealing portions of Str.410-Sub1. Excavations pursued to maximum depths of 0.45m and 0.6m below modern ground surface within and outside the bounds of architecture, respectively, uncovered a single construction phase. Work here was overseen by R. Johnson and M. Turek.
| Time Span | Construction Phase | Units | Strata | Features | Date |
| 1 | - | - | S.1 | - | LCLII/III? |
| 2 | Str. 410-1-1st | U.1, 2 | - | F.1 | LCLIII |
| 3 | - | - | S.1, 2 | F.2 | - |
Time Span 1
Time Span 1 saw the natural deposition of S.1, a dark yellow-brown, tightly compacted, coarse-textured soil. This layer was exposed to a maximum thickness of 0.16m underlying TS.2 architecture; S.1's base, however, lies beyond our excavation limits. It is not clear if artifacts came from S.1.
Time Span 2
Structure 410-Sub1 is a very casual construction made up of two roughly parallel lines (U.1 and 2 on the south and north, respectively) composed of small (0.2m or less in diameter with about half measuring 0.1m or less across), primarily river-rounded, stones. Units 2 and 1 are oriented approximately 77degrees and 68 degrees, respectively, and separated by 1-1.55m of earth. Unit 1 was traced for 3.6m while its northern counterpart was exposed over 5.95m. Both are one stone, or 0.1m high, 0.8-1.1m wide, and may be parts of foundations that originally supported perishable upper walls. There is a 0.74m wide by 0.44m deep indentation in U.1's north face. A similar “niche,” 0.53m across by 0.4m deep was tentatively identified in U.2's northern flank. Units 1 and 2 run more-or-less straight over their exposed extents, though U.2's western segment, fronting the aforementioned niche in U.1, does curve convexly south to a point 1.07m from its southern counterpart. The indentations and curves noted above can not be securely identified because of the poor state of preservation exhibited by Str. 410-Sub1's construction; a few missing or slightly displaced rocks could easily create the impression of complex architectural features that were never part of the original builders’ plans. There is no tendency for the U.1 and 2 rocks to be oriented with their flatter faces looking outwards.
About 0.4m south of U.1 a stone concentration (F.1) roughly 0.55m in diameter was recorded. These rocks seem to have been laid down roughly contemporary with the erection of Str. 410-Sub1, though their architectural significance is eminently obscure. The general paucity of rocks noted in the test-pitting program and the proximity of F.1 to U.1 and 2 suggest that the stones in question did not arrive here by natural means. They may have been stockpiled for use in building, or renovating, Str. 410-Sub1 or were part of a construction associated with that building, a construction whose function remains beyond our ken.
Overall, Str. 410-Sub1 was probably an earthen-floored, surface-level building covering at least 5.95m northeast-southwest, oriented 68-77 degrees, and measuring 3.35m across. The space enclosed by these 0.1m high casual walls is 0.8-1.1m wide.
Time Span 3
Following abandonment, Str. 410-Sub1 was buried by continued deposition of 0.08-0.18m of S. 1 which, in turn, was blanketed by S.2, a dark brown, coarse-textured, tightly packed soil containing few rocks. Stratum 2 accumulated to an average depth of 0.3m above S.1; together they covered U.1 and 2 by 0.32-0.38m. A very few small rocks were found scattered throughout S.2 and upper S.1 (F.2) and are most likely stones fallen from TS. 2 architecture.
Test Pits
A total of 40 test pits measuring 1x1m and dug to depths of 0.4-0.7m below modern ground surface were excavated in lines running east (Subop. 410F), north (Subop. 410G), south (Subop. 410E), and west (Subop. 410H) of Strs. 410-1 and -2. These probes were spaced 4m apart and extended 43m east, 28m north, 55m west, and 51m south of these buildings. Very few artifacts and no clear architecture, save for Str. 410-Sub1 described above, were found in the course of this work. In general, artifact density declines gradually with distance from Strs. 410-1 and 2, picking up somewhat in the immediate vicinity of Str. 410-Sub1.
Chronological Summary
Occupation at Site 410 and its immediate vicinity seems to have been initiated during Late Classic II/III, possibly as early as Late Classic II. Ceramics diagnostic of the latter period are found mixed with Late Classic III pottery around all three excavated buildings. Unfortunately, no pure pre-construction contexts were examined during 1996; analyzed materials from these settings were mixed in the field with items from terminal debris contexts. While a Late Classic II or Late Classic II/III date for first settlement of Site 410 seems reasonable, therefore, it can not be established with the data in hand. All versions of Structures 410-1, 410-2, and 410-Sub1 were raised and used during Late Classic III/II and III. This also seems to be the interval when the site’s population reached its maximum. Artifact collections retrieved from the test-pits were usually too small to permit chronological assignments. In those cases where dating was possible, the estimates are almost universally Late Classic III and III/II; one probe yielded scant evidence of an Early Postclassic presence roughly 6m west of Str. 410-1-1st. This is the only indication of a post-Late Classic III date for settlement at Site 410. There is no sign that any of the investigated structures were built or modified at this time, though we can not rule out their use during the Early Postclassic.