An Unexplored Realm in the Heartland of the Southern Gulf ... - Famsi

Figure 4.16. Olmec Throne Complex. Longitudinal medial axis
is illustrated by dashed line. Coordinates withheld by author.
platform-like structure relative to the Throne Complex. The full extent of this structure
will never be known due to the loss of land by the river’s erosive actions. Nearby there
are low areas that may have served as borrow pits for these elevated structures.
Depressions and Water Features
Along with the elevated constructions are a series of depressions, and Figure 4.17
points out four of these areas at El Marquesillo. Depressions B and C may be natural low
areas that were subjected to human modification, possibly for fill or water retention.
Depression D is a shallow, rectangular-shaped feature with a relatively level bottom. Its
form and position relative to Structure 84 is reminiscent of a sunken courtyard or plaza.
Depression A may have been used as a borrow pit for the fill used to elevate and level the
north side of Structure 77. In Villa Alta phase complexes, which are to the south and
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