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

42I) consisted of an excavation in a steep incline that extended from the cave entrance tothe first room of the cave. This initial area received plenty of natural light. Thefollowing operation (Operation II) consisted of excavations in a large, dry room, whichcontained the largest proportion of surface artifacts found throughout the cave. Twolarge holes at the north end of the room were interpreted as the disturbance of looters(Brady 1990a:336). The final operation (Operation III) consisted of two large tunnelswith low ceilings. This portion of the cave system was designated as the official “darkzone” of the cave. The muddy floor was evidence of flooding, most likely during therainy season (Brady 1990a). Many artifacts were buried underneath this layer of mud.Each operation will now be considered in more detail.Operation I – The remains of a stone construction were discovered under amound of rocks in front of the cave entrance. A surface collection of the area producedartifactual material, as well as worked stone from under these rocks. According toBrady et al. (1991:680), the worked stone may represent an attempt to close off the onlyentrance to this cave during its use in antiquity. After passing through a wide caveentrance, a depth of 7 m was traversed on a 10 m descent from the cave entrance to thefloor of the first room. Suboperation CD1-01 was the continuation of a surface surveythat sought the remains of a staircase that was thought to have led into the cave.Unfortunately, these stairs were never uncovered. An area 2.5 x 3 m was surfacecollected on the west side of the cave entrance. Ceramic sherds dating to the LatePreclassic and Early Classic periods were found at a depth of 1.5 m (Brady et al.