Terraces appear to have been constructed primarily for residential occupation rather than cultivation The team has discovered domestic architecture on all of the excavated terraces thus far. Excavations have revealed that the structures generally consisted of a patio surrounded by a set of rectangular rooms. Most of these rooms had well-constructed stone foundations, plastered floors, and, occasionally, the remnants of adobe brick walls. Other domestic features on the terraces include small hearths, ash pits, large circular ovens, and a small firing area for making ceramic vessels. The team also has found numerous burials, which is consistent with a domestic occupation. Like other prehispanic Mesoamerican peoples, the valley inhabitants kept their deceased ancestors close to home. In addition, most of the compounds on the excavated terraces were rebuilt many times, an indication that there was long-term (possibly centuries of) residential occupation. The elaborateness of the domestic residences vary from the bottom to the top of El Palmillo. For the last several field seasons we have been excavating a series of larger, more elaborate residences near the apex of the hill. During our last field season (2007) we patially excavated a s mall ballcourt that was nestled in between two residential compounds and began excavations on an adjacent residence. We plan to continue and expand the excavatino of this elaborate compound in 2008.