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

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

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Figure 6.4. The red dashed l<strong>in</strong>e outl<strong>in</strong>es <strong>the</strong> basal platform <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Olmec Throne<br />

Complex. The depression area is identified by concentric contour l<strong>in</strong>es that illustrate<br />

<strong>the</strong> sloped surfaces that dra<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> surface <strong>of</strong> Plaza 1.<br />

field, and <strong>the</strong> slop<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> surround<strong>in</strong>g surface effectively dra<strong>in</strong>s and reta<strong>in</strong>s <strong>the</strong> ra<strong>in</strong><br />

run-<strong>of</strong>f from Plaza I. Due to <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>habitants’ ability to create large level surfaces, as<br />

demonstrated by <strong>the</strong> major portions <strong>of</strong> Plazas 1 and 2, it would appear that <strong>the</strong> depression<br />

is an <strong>in</strong>tentionally constructed feature and that it can serve as a water retention bas<strong>in</strong>. The<br />

skill, detail, and plann<strong>in</strong>g evident <strong>in</strong> all o<strong>the</strong>r aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> complex suggest that this<br />

depression was not <strong>in</strong>advertent or an un<strong>in</strong>tended result.<br />

This type <strong>of</strong> surface dra<strong>in</strong>age system is also present and clearly identifiable<br />

around <strong>the</strong> stand<strong>in</strong>g water feature <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> northwest corner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> platform. The surface <strong>of</strong><br />

Plaza II is dra<strong>in</strong>ed by <strong>the</strong> slop<strong>in</strong>g terra<strong>in</strong> immediately north, south, and west <strong>of</strong> Structure<br />

78 that carries <strong>the</strong> run-<strong>of</strong>f <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> stand<strong>in</strong>g water feature. Surface water features <strong>of</strong> this<br />

nature have been referred to as ponds or lagunas at San Lorenzo, where <strong>the</strong>re has been<br />

270

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