The Red Bank formation as a local source for Belize Red pottery

• Belize Red pottery was widely distributed in Maya area during the Classic period. • Belize Red contains volcanic ash, previously of unknown origin. • The ash naturally occurs in bentonite clays of the Red Bank formation. • There was no need for the long-distance trade of vast amounts of ash for pottery production. The origin of volcanic ash in the fabric of ancient Maya pottery known as Belize Red (formally called British Honduras Ash Ware and Vinaceous Tawny Ware) has long posed a puzzle. We propose that the bentonite and volcanic ash deposits of the local Red Bank formation were the source of “ash-tempered” pottery during the Preclassic and Classic periods. This is consistent with models of ancient production that favor the use of locally available resources, but initial comparison of published geochemical data gathered by different methods is still inconclusive. Further geochemical analyses of both archaeological pottery and Red Bank samples are needed to test our hypothesis, which offers a new perspective on Maya ceramic production in the Belize River Valley.