The "invisible" Maya: Minimally mounded residential settlement at Itzan, Peten, Guatemala

Through analyses of data recovered at Itzan, Guatemala, this paper examines the architectural morphology and the probable functions of "invisible" building remains in the Maya Lowlands. Invisible building remains are buried, leave no surface traces, and cannot be detected during surface surveys, which is the principle settlement detection technique employed by Mayanists. Data at Itzan and other sites suggest that Maya invisible buildings are a more abundant settlement category than many archaeologists have supposed.