HUMAN SKELETAL REMAINS OF THE ANCIENT MAYA IN THE ...

120Cueva de Los QuetzalesThe skeletal deposit excavated from this cave represents the smallest samplerecovered from the caves of the Petexbatun region. Forty skeletal elements represent thematerial recovered from three operations, most of which consists of teeth and bones ofthe hands and feet. Several incomplete long bone shafts constitute a small portion of thesample, however, a nearly complete left femoral shaft shows clear cut marks. Therelative skeletal element frequencies as well as possible cut marks may indicate bothprimary and secondary depositional activity. The most accurate MNI and PNI estimatefor this cave is at the level of the operation, with five individuals. This estimate includesan adult male, three adults of unknown age and sex, and a subadult. Despite the absenceof articulated remains, the relative skeletal element frequencies suggest primarydeposition and the identification of cut marks points to possible secondary activity.InterpretationI examined several lines of evidence in an attempt to decipher the types ofdepositional activity or activities responsible for the skeletal collection recovered fromthe six caves of the Petexbatun region. Based on the analysis of the relative skeletalelement frequencies, estimates of the minimum and probable number of individuals, andcut marks caused by human agents, there is insufficient evidence to support myhypothesis that the remains are the result of the secondary burial or deposition of a selectgroup of individuals. I was unable to determine whether the remains deposited withinthese caves represent a select group of individuals, an ancestral lineage, or individualsdrawn from the general population. However, individual assessments of each cave