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24AMCS Bulletin 12 — Chapter 2Fedick et al. 2000; Fedick and Taube 1995; see alsoLazcano-Barrero et al. 1995). Well-drained portionsof the region are covered with thin lithosols and pocketsof deeper rendzina soils. Fedick and Hovey (1995)provide a sample distribution of what local milperosrefer to as box luum (productive “black soils”) andchaac luum (less productive “red soils”). Soils withinthe inundated wetlands are characterized by silty claylaminae with overlying peaty deposits (Fedick et al.2000). Throughout northern Quintana Roo, the deepestsoils are found within a variety of karstic depressions.Vegetation zones range from seasonal or perennialwetlands (sabanas) and swamp forests (tintale)to upland, semi-deciduous tropical forests. For informationon the ancient manipulation of the region’swetlands, see Fedick (1998), Fedick et al. (2000), andMorrison (2000). For a comprehensive overview ofthe region’s ecology, see Gómez-Pompa et al. (2001).Previous and Current ArchaeologicalInvestigationsThe Yalahau RegionArchaeological reporting from the Yalahau regiondid not appear until 1946, when Alberto EscalonaRamos described his brief visit to Kantunilkin. Sanders(1955, 1960) conducted the first archaeologicalreconnaissance of the region and provides the resultsof surface collections and minor excavations atChiquilá, Monte Bravo, Solferino, Vista Alegre, ElDiez, Leona Vicario, and Kantunilkin (see figure 2.1).The coastal survey by Eaton and Ball (1978) includesthe site of Vista Alegre, which is located on the LagunaYalahau, along the region’s northern boundary.These and other investigations across northernQuintana Roo are summarized by Anthony P. Andrews(1985). A later report on the site of San Angel (seefigure 2.1) was prepared by Taube and GallaretaNegrón (1989). Previous and subsequent trips to theregion by Karl A. Taube, Fernando Cortés deBrasdefer, Edward Kurjack, Rubén Maldonado, SoniaLombardo, and Scott L. Fedick were motivated by adeveloping appreciation for the rich and enigmaticarchaeological landscape of the Yalahau region.As is evident, the Yalahau region proper had receivedlittle archaeological attention prior to the formationof the Yalahau Regional Human Ecology Project in1993. Research conducted during the initial field seasonwas centered in and around the civic-ceremonialcenter of El Naranjal (also referred to as Tumben-Naranjal; see figure 2.2). For a more comprehensiveintroduction to the Yalahau region as well as the resultsFigure 2.1. Sites of the Yalahau Region.of the multifaceted 1993 season, the reader shouldconsult Fedick and Taube (eds.1995).The unique Megalithic architecture at El Naranjal(and nearby sites) was first studied by Taube (1995).This style is reminiscent of Aké and Izamal to the westand is believed to correspond to the Late Preclassic toEarly Classic periods (Taube 1995; see also AndrewsIV and Stuart 1975:80; Roys and Shook 1966:49–50;Sidrys 1978:157; Velázquez Morlet et al. 1991:61;Webster 1979:156–157). In her authoritative study ofthe nature and distribution of the Megalithic styleacross the northern Maya Lowlands, Mathews (1998)evaluated the extent to which this style is suggestiveof a northern interaction sphere during this early timeframe. Issues relating to the identification or designationof interaction spheres that at one time includednorthern Quintana Roo are briefly discussed below.Additional research at El Naranjal between 1995and 1999 involved excavation of the site’s sascaberas(Lorenzen 1998, 1999), recordation of Postclassicmodification to the site’s monumental architecture(Lorenzen 1999), and identification of outlying settlementsand topographic features (Rissolo 1998a).During this same period, a new program of reconnaissanceand mapping was initiated in the northernportion of the Yalahau region. Extensive early settlement