NO. I HONDURAS STRONG, KIDDER, AND PAUL 29 



bordering the rapid, sparkling, Naco River made us appreciate the 

 remark of the soldier-historian that " here is the best water we have 

 found in New Spain." 



It is not the purpose of the present report to discuss fully the 

 excavations at each site nor to analyze the archeological findings in 

 any detail. Instead, a brief summary of significant excavations will 

 be given, and at least one stratigraphic or horizontal artifact record 

 at each site will be outlined in an effort to indicate the apparent 

 trend of local cultural development. This preliminary analysis will 

 be confirmed or amended in the final report in accord with the full 

 statistical findings and in relation to all the excavations. Although no 

 numerical record of artifact or ceramic types is given at this time, 

 an effort has been made to discuss them quantitatively rather than 

 selectively. In regard to ceramics, which greatly preponderate over 

 any other artifact types throughout the entire Ulua drainage, we 

 have here attempted to suggest the relative proportions of all wares 

 at each site or in each stratigraphic section discussed. When the very 

 extensive sherd collections of the expedition have been analyzed and 

 the data fully presented it will be possible to check this preliminary 

 analysis against the complete record. In regard to technical names 

 applied to various soil layers these have been used in a very general 

 sense. When our soil samples have been fully studied by experts it 

 may be possible to supplement the cultural record with the detailed 

 findings of soil analyst and sedimentation expert. 



As previously indicated, the ruins around Naco are extensive, and 

 our detailed survey deals with only the central area. The map (fig. 3) 

 gives the essential data in regard to mound orientation and elevations. 

 In general, the Naco mounds are low and rounded, apparently form- 

 ing the foundations of houses, but the group just northeast of the ball 

 court differs in this regard. Mound 6 appears to have been the center 

 of the complex. It is still the highest and was, in all probability, 

 originally faced with squared stones, forming a square-faced pyramid 

 with a flat top (fig. 3). A few of the cut stones are still in place. 

 It has been sadly damaged by the disruptive effects of tree growth. 

 According to local authorities it has also suffered by an earthquake, 

 by having its stone facing removed for road foundations, and, about 

 1902, by treasure-hunting excavations. It is still quite impressive, 

 however. Mound 6 is flanked by mounds 3, 4, 5, all of which are 

 exceptionally large. To judge by mound 3, which we cross-sectioned 

 near its southern end (fig. 4), mounds 3 and possibly 5 were origin- 

 ally capped by thick white plaster. This had eroded off the steep 

 sides of mound 5 but was present at the base and over the flattened 



