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AMCS Bulletin 12 — Chapter 3 35cenotes, though the archaeology of these features isnot discussed. Such oversights are disappointing sinceeven the briefest investigation of a small cave takesonly a little more time than mapping a platform or aseries of albarradas (and is equally as important).The exploration of underwater caves in QuintanaRoo—by professional, avocational, and researchorientedcave divers—has exposed a new dimensionto Maya cave scholars. Much to their credit, recreationalcave divers have adopted a do-not-disturbpolicy regarding the archaeological deposits they sooften encounter. Additionally, they have been judiciousabout sharing news of their discoveries so as not tolure unscrupulous and inexperienced divers to thecaves. Nevertheless, references to artifacts that werefound in underwater caves along the coast are numerous,and range from popular magazines (e.g. Agar1998) to recreational diving and tourism literature (e.g.Madariaga 1999). Even the companion volume to therecent IMAX film (Taylor 2001) contains referencesto artifact bearing caves in northern Quintana Roo,which have not yet been reported by archaeologists.Cenote diving in Quintana Roo has the potentialto reveal purportedly Archaic material that was depositedwhen cave passages were above current sealevel (Coke et al. 1991; see Andrews and Corletta1995, for synopsis of the Carwash Cenote discovery),as well as recover objects tossed into cenotes by theancient Maya. Gerrard (2000) has created an impressiveand authoritative diver’s guide that will ultimatelybe of use to both underwater cave archaeology andsettlement studies. Formal archaeological investigationsare currently in their formative stages and willno doubt make a substantive contribution to cave researchin the region.Prior to the present survey, few cave sites havebeen reported in the northern inland portion of thestate. Reddell (1977:251) lists two small caves at themajor regional center of Cobá: Aka Chen and ActunHa (the latter of which is located within the site core).Bonor Villarejo (1989a:128) mentions a cave at Cobá(named after the site), that was originally reported byNavarrete et al. (1979:44) and likely corresponds tothe Actun Ha locale visited by Reddell. Navarrete etal. (1979) describe a carved, yet highly eroded boulderor stela in this small, water-bearing cave. No specificcaves are mentioned by Folan et al. (1983) in theirbook on Cobá; however, the elaborate sascaberas atthe site, which were mapped and photographed (pp.24–30), may have functioned as symbolic caves.The absence of more developed caves and cavernsystems at Cobá can be attributed to the site’s proximityto the water table. It is conceivable that residents ofancient Cobá made pilgrimages to larger caves—possiblyto the slightly more elevated northeast. The broadterritorial extent of Cobá places the southern-mostportion of the Yalahau region relatively close to thesite’s periphery. For this reason, possible contactbetween Cobá and the caves of this survey will beconsidered later in the dissertation.In the community of San Juan, south of Cobá, is alarge cavernous cenote that was mentioned in an articlein the popular magazine México Desconocido(Jufresa1997). Apparently, local residents use the cenotein the Ch’achaak ceremony and one could assumethat evidence of use by ancient residents of Cobá ispresent in the cave as well. An article about a well atPunta Laguna, just northeast of Cobá, appeared in thesame magazine (Lagarde 1996). Inside, diver’s encounteredartifacts and human remains. There is alsoa fairly large grotto at the site of Punta Laguna, reachedby an ancient stairway, but to my knowledge, it hasnot been reported in the literature. Incidentally, therecently confirmed political boundary places thecommunity of Punta Laguna in the state of Yucatán(see figure 3.2). However, the location of the well(mentioned above) relative to the community, is notmentioned in the article.It is important to note that documentation ofadditional cave sites in northern Quintana Roo, particularlyalong the coast, is currently in preparation by anumber of Mexican archaeologists. Nevertheless, thisreview of the cave literature (and a quick glance atthe map in figure 3.2) makes it clear that the northerninland portion of the state has long remained unstudied.Closing RemarksThis review of Yucatecan cave archaeology, withrespect to established notions of function and frequency,provides the interpretive framework of the dissertation.Though it is certain that the deep and remotecave pools of the Puuc possessed sacred qualities, theywere nevertheless depended upon as regular sourcesof water when other means were unavailable. The openand accessible cenotes in other parts of Yucatán wereoften the only source of water for surrounding settlements.In the water-rich Yalahau region, as will bedemonstrated, the cave pools were neither used as “lastresorts” nor as primary sources of much needed water.Rather, the reverential appropriation of caves inthe Yalahau led to their controlled and limited access,and ritual use. The frequency of caves with respect tosettlement in the Yalahau suggests that the high numberof caves at sites such as Mayapan is likely a commonand widely distributed phenomenon that has simply