A Zooarchaeological Analysis of Turtle Deposition at La Punta

Vocabulary flashcards covering the zooarchaeological, taxonomic, and stratigraphic terminology used in the study of turtle remains at Lake Mensabak.

NISP

Number of Identified Specimens; the primary quantitative measure used in the thesis where each identified fragment is counted as one specimen.

Carapace

The dorsal (back) part of a turtle shell, composed of elements like neurals, costals, and peripherals.

Plastron

The ventral (belly) part of a turtle shell, consisting of elements like the epiplastron, entoplastron, hyoplastron, hypoplastron, and xiphiplastron.

Taphonomy

The study of the transition of animal remains from the biosphere to the lithosphere, including processes like butchery, burning, burial, and weathering.

Equifinality

An archaeological problem where different processes can lead to the same material result, such as burning resulting from either cooking or post-depositional fire.

Ritualization

A concept developed by Catherine Bell that focuses on differentiated practices that set certain acts apart from routine or daily life.

Middle-range inference

A methodological approach emphasized by Lewis Binford that uses caution when linking archaeological traces to past human actions.

Chak Aktun

The Lacandon name for Mirador Mountain, meaning "Red Hollow [turtle] Mountain [cave with water]."

Ak

The Lacandon Maya term used for broad tortoise-type fragments, recorded as $Testudinidae\,continental$.

K’anak

The local Lacandon Maya name for the turtle species $Trachemys\,venusta$.

Chak’ich

The local Lacandon Maya name for the turtle species $Kinosternon\,leucostomum$.

T’inak

The local Lacandon Maya name for the large river turtle $Dermatemys\,mawii$.

Led

The local Lacandon Maya name for the turtle species $Staurotypus\,triporcatus$.

Bridge

The lateral region of the turtle shell that joins the dorsal carapace and the ventral plastron.

Level 3

The stratigraphic horizon at La Punta identified as the main concentration horizon, containing $56.9\%$ of the level-scale faunal count.

Carbonized

A specific taphonomic state of thermal alteration where bone is darkened or blackened by exposure to heat.

Calcined

A taphonomic state where bone has been burned at high temperatures to the point of turning white or grey.

Turtle shell idiophone

A musical instrument made from a turtle shell, historically used to symbolize the sound of thunder in Maya culture.

La Punta

A Late Postclassic to Protohistoric ritual site at Lake Mensabak characterized by dense, patterned turtle deposition.

Los Olores

A site near La Punta that appears to have served as a productive or preparatory node, including evidence of a metallurgical workshop.

Gash (corte de tajo)

A specific butchery trace recorded on a costal fragment from Los Olores in the analytical subsample.