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

47including three additional cave entrances. This extensive cave system is actually formedby a central branch more than 400 m in length (Brady 1990b:440). A surfaceinvestigation revealed various mounds and other architectural structures associated withthis elaborate cave system. This surface exploration also uncovered an opening that mayhave been deliberately blocked with rocks (Brady et al. 1991:655). Moreover, anexploration of the deeper passages of Cueva de Sangre revealed a chamber with largequantities of human remains (Brady et al. 1991:655). Given the size of the cave and thelarge volume of artifactual material recovered, it would be best to consider this cavesystem in terms of the various operations conducted.Cueva de Sangre represents the most elaborate cave system associated with thesite of Dos Pilas. Because of its sheer size and numerous side passages, this cave systemwas divided into four operations during the 1990 field season. Operation III is a smallbranch that runs parallel to Operation II. Several side passages were found associatedwith Operations II through IV. During the following two field seasons, seven moreoperations were carried out in Cueva de Sangre (Figure 6). The artifactual material andthe human remains that were surface collected throughout this extensive cave systemclearly demonstrate the use of the caves by the ancient Maya.The remains of three architectural structures were found in close proximity to thecave entrance of Operation I. One of these structures appeared to be the remains of awall that may have been built to seal off this entrance (Brady 1990b:442). Six squaremeters of limestone pavement were also discovered near this entrance. A large quantityof ceramic was deposited on the cave floor. Many complete vessels as well as