Introduction

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Drawing of T23 and its extensions

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Excavation of the Tesoro 23 area over the previous two years has yielded a great deal of ivory inlays in addition to carved ivory figures, a carved bone sphinx, and various bronze finds ( MC I , MC II , MC III ). A heavy stone packing was uncovered in 1979 ( MC III, pg. 197 ) which maybe indicative of some architectural remains, but as yet a building in this area which might serve as a source of the ivory and bronze deposits has not been located.

Originally, excavation of the T23 area was initiated to investigate the possible existence of a building along the south-east wall of the upper building.  Such a structure was hypothesized since foundations have been unearthed along the northwest and northeast of the upper building, the former being the so-called lower building.

In order to further investigate the stone packing uncovered in 1979 at the southern end of T23-1979 Extensions, (running approximately east-west), recover more ivory, bronze,

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Drawing of T23 and its extensions: location relative to the upper building June 15, 1980

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and bone artifacts, and continue the search for the source of these artifacts, T23-1980 Extension was opened approximately wast of the 1979 Extensions.  The grid system employed by Matthew Caras ( MC I, pg. 7 ) will again be utilized during this year's excavation of the T23 area.

See MC II, pg. 96 for grid system correction/explanation

Note: Each casseta of tile will be indicated by I

Each box of pottery be be indicated by I

I = 1                       IIII = 4

II = 2                      etc.

III = 3

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