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18AMCS Bulletin 12 — Chapter 1Figure 1.1. Location of the Yalahau Region.likely that the region’s high water table (which isthought to be indicative of cave-poor terrain), theabsence of massive civic-ceremonial centers (on theorder of Chichén Itzá or Cobá), and the introvertednature of local ejidos have all contributed to theregion’s academic isolation.In 1993, Scott L. Fedick and Karl A. Taube directedan archaeological reconnaissance of the region(eds.1995). This field season led to the developmentof the Yalahau Regional Human Ecology Project—along-term, interdisciplinary research effort focusingon the relationship between the ancient Maya and theenvironment of northern Quintana Roo. After visitinga number caves in 1993, I became aware of both thefrequency of caves within the Yalahau region and theomnipresent signs of human activity found withinthem. I returned in 1995 in order to conduct a moredeliberate reconnaissance. After only a few shortweeks, we had identified nine additional caves. Evidenceof ancient Maya activity included deposits ofpottery and other artifacts, altars, architectural features,haltunes (carved stone troughs), modificationsof cave interiors, mining, speleothem breakage andremoval, and rock art. Having identified the requisitedata, I initiated the Yalahau Archaeological Cave Surveyin 1996 and began my dissertation research inearnest.each of the caves within a manageable sample (seetable 1.1). My primary goal was to isolate the ritualfunction of the caves and identify evidence of theirspecialized appropriation. The secondary goal was todetermine the extent to which the archaeology of theregion’s caves could provide functional and chronologicalinformation regarding both regional settlementand the overall cultural organization of the landscape.At the same time, the cave survey hoped to take advantageof on-going investigations of surface sites byintegrating their results into the analysis of cave functionand chronology.The most obvious question concerned the natureof cave use in a water rich environment. Given theaccessibility of surface water in the region, were thecaves reserved for ceremonial purposes? If so, whatare the material correlates of ritualized water collection?Furthermore, what are the possible emic criteriafor specialized cave selection or appropriation and howwas it achieved? These were the fundamental questionsthat shaped the research design.If water can be easily procured at the surface viaa range of sources, one would expect evidence of watercollection from caves to be characteristic of more ceremonialbehavior. Moreover, if water from remote andrelatively inaccessible cave pools (or from drippingResearch Goals, Questions, and HypothesesMy initial task was to evaluate the nature and extentof cave use in the Yalahau region. This could beeasily accomplished by conducting an objective assessmentof the identifiable deposits and modifications inFigure 1.2. Caves of the Yalahau Region. Regional andwetland boundaries are delineated.