Abstract

It is generally conceded that the archaeologist most often works with artifacts known only by their discard locations, and that from this he must interpret relationships between these artifacts and features, as well as identify the presence or absence (and intensity) of any activities he believes to have been carried on at the site. Using one artifact class as an example, namely pottery, various modes of refuse disposal and abandonment are discussed in the context of Tzeltal Maya households. The distributional patterns of pottery and other durable remains resulting from discard behaviour are outlined. The reuse, or the more infrequent lack of reuse, of buildings before a house-site is abandoned and post-abandonment activities are identified as major factors affecting the final distribution of pottery fragments before the house-site enters the archaeological record, under most conditions.