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

52Dos Pilas as a dominant polity in the region (Scott 1994b:553). Ceramics dating to theTerminal Classic period may suggest that the cave was still utilized after the decline ofDos Pilas (Scott 1994b:553).The largest proportion of human skeletal material from this cave was surfacecollected from Operation CKP2. Nearly every lot produced some skeletal remains,however, some lots contained larger deposits than others. The other four operations inthis dry portion of the cave produced little to no skeletal material. The last threeoperations (CKP7-CKP9) represent the wet portion of the cave. The river passagewaymade investigation and artifact recovery more difficult in the latter portion of this cave.(Scott 1994b:550). Despite the watery environment, a few skeletal elements wererecovered from these last three operations.The investigation of Cueva de Kaxon Pec produced impressive examples ofartificial constructions and cave modifications. Evidence of floor terracing, restrictedaccess ways, and altar construction clearly demonstrate the time and energy invested bythe Maya in an effort to transform the physical environment into a space of ritual andsacred importance. This is clearly exemplified in some of the more impressive artificialfeatures of this cave. For example, an elaborate altar constructed out of a flowstone bedsupported by a base of broken speleothems contained a large cache of calcified caveformations (Scott 1994b:553).Cueva de Los QuetzalesCueva de Los Quetzales is located 12.5 km southeast of Dos Pilas, underneaththe site of Las Pacayas. Hereafter, Cueva de Los Quetzales will be denoted by the code