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

5CHAPTER IIEVIDENCE OF MAYA CAVE USEThe archaeological investigation of caves in the Maya area is a growing field ofstudy. These efforts reflect an attempt to better understand the physical and culturalworld of the ancient Maya. These subterranean spaces have been explored, mapped, andinvestigated on a scientific level for over a century. Early archaeological expeditionsdocument the exploration of caves throughout the Maya area, yet thoroughinvestigations were a low priority. Early archaeological efforts were focused on thediscovery of the larger, more impressive architectural achievements of the Mayacivilization. Over time, a significant number of Mayan urban centers emerged from thelowland tropical forests of Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras, and Mexico’s YucatánPeninsula.Despite a general lack of study in the caves of the Maya region, there were thosewho realized their importance and possible role in the physical and cultural world of theancient Maya. The early works of Gordon (1898), Thompson (1897), Mercer (1896),and Joyce (1928), introduced the study of caves into the larger scope of Mayaarchaeology. Albeit cursory, these investigations established a foundation from thatothers would build upon in the decades to come. The continued efforts of J.E.S.Thompson (1959), Digby (1958), Anderson (1962), and others were also significantcontributions to the growing body of literature focusing on the investigation of thesubterranean world of the Maya. In essence, these investigations not only demonstrated