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277 Introduction One of the most important regions of the peninsula of Yucatán for the study of post-Classic Maya history is northern Quintana Roo. We know from Spanish accounts that this area, especially the northernmost part of it, was well populated at the time the Spaniards arrived and that its inhabitants were considered to be more sophisticated and cultured than thoseelsewhereinnorthernYucatán.Lothrop’s(1924) study of the architectural style of the east coast of Yucatán indicates quite clearly that post-Classic sites were numerous in the region. “Toltec” influence was evident in many sites, especially at Tulum. Actually, there is very little evidence of Classic occupation of at least the strictly coastal strip. We also know that in post-Classic times Cozumel Island ranked along with Chichén Itzá as a center for holy pilgrimages. Finally, the Spanish accounts indicate that trade along the east coast was extensive and important in the economy of the northern Maya area. Aside from Lothrop’s work and a few brief surveys by archaeologists from the Instituto Nacional de Antropologia, very little serious archaeology has been done in this region and next to no excavation . We know that the majority of the archaeological remains are post-Classic but we do not have a refined chronology for this period. We do not know whether major centers, such as Tulum, Tancah, and El Meco, are contemporary with the Toltec-Chichen or Mayapán or post-Mayapán periods. The primary objective of the 1954 field season was to obtain sherd samples from as large a number of cities as possible for cross-dating with established ceramic sequences of northern Yucatán. Secondarily, data were collected on architecture, modern subsistence patterns, and site settlement patterns. Approximately 40 sites were visited and excavated (Figs. 24.1 and 24.2). The average time spent at a site was about two days. At each place several test excavations were made, principally along the edges C u r r e n t R e p o r t s Carnegie Institution of Washington Department of Archaeology No. 24 February 1955 An Archaeological Reconnaissance of Northern Quintana Roo William T. Sanders William T. Sanders 278 of ceremonial or domiciliary structures, or in clearing out temple floors. Our sherd samples, therefore, are in general equivalent to Ford’s (1949) surface collections and only suggest mean possible datings of sites. Aside from excavations, numerous trails were cut in the forest in the vicinity of the ceremonial structures to aid us in site mapping and to give a rough idea of settlement patterns. This work was done by four or five laborers retained for the entire field season; they were taken from the village of Kantunil Kin, where the quality of labor is high. Owing to the sparse population of the Territory of Quintana Roo, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to carry on the kind of archaeology described above without using a permanent crew. Thesiteplansandarchitecturaldrawings do not pretend to be highly accurate. The time at each site did not permit us to make first-class plans, although at some places considerable time was spent in the mapping. Compass bearings are, with few exceptions, rough approximations. In the first year of our study of the east coast of the peninsula of Yucatán attention was concentrated in that part of Quintana Roo north of a line from Tulum on the coast to Coba inland behind Playa del Carmen. Topographically this area is a vast plain very much like most of the state of Yucatán and obviously a continuation of the same geographical area. There are no ranges of hills or prominent elevations, but the terrain is broken and difficult to travel in. As in the state of Yucatán, there is practically no surface drainage; numerous cenotes and stretches of low areas or bajos form dry scrub savannas during the dry season and shallow swamps in the wet season. The soil cover is scanty; large areas of exposed rock have little or no soil. Rainfall runs somewhat higher than at Merida but is approximately that of Valladolid and Tizimin in eastern Yucatán, between 1,000–1,200 mm a year. The vegetation in general is almost climax, and the effects of agricultural operations are slight. The forest is not impressive in either height or exuberance and looks very much as a climax forest would appear in the state of Yucatán if not heavily exploited by slashand -burn...

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