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AMCS Bulletin 12 — Chapter 4 61Figure 4.4.3. Modified entrance portal to Akab Ch’en.entrance, is smoothly arched and may have been artificiallymodified. At the landing, the stairway/pathbifurcates into two separate stairways—one passingthrough each of the two portals.The lower room of Akab Ch’en is characterizedby two small pools divided by a crude altar. The twopath/stairways leading from the twin entrances jointogether in front of the altar. This feature consists of1×2 m circular mound of stones placed atop a flowstoneslope. A dripstone column and a drapery formationflank the altar and the flowstone slope. Two short pathsdiverge in front of the altar, each one leading to separatepools. At the edge of the larger of the two pools(which measures approximately 5×7 m, and .5 m deep)is a submerged step or landing which may have facilitatedwater collection when levels were periodicallylower. The smaller pool to the southwest is located ina tiny alcove and contains a semi-circular stone featureon its floor. Both pools are permanent and markthe current water table (which in this area is roughly20m below the ground surface).Though sherds are scattered across the lower room(including the floors of the two pools), no discreteofferings or whole vessels were observed. Access tothe cave is easy and the lower room appears to beheavily trafficked. My guide informed me that localhunters often use the cave as a source of drinking waterwhile out in the bush, and modern bottles were foundedstashed near the pools. If any whole vessels or artifactswere deposited in the cave, they have no doubtbeen removed. Like most of the caves in the survey,evidence of speleothem breakage and removalis present. No intact large speleothemswere observed and soda straws grow frommany of the stumps on the ceiling.A number of structures were observedin the immediate vicinity of Akab Ch’en,and likely corresponded to the site of SanCosme. A square platform (25 m on a side)with well-preserved Megalithic masonry islocated 15 m east of the edge of the sinkhole.At least six substantial residentialplatforms were identified within 75–100m of Akab Ch’en. No wells were found inthe area. However, two small aguadas(which appear to have been carved into thebedrock) were found near the mounds.Figure 4.4.4. Entrance to lower room of Akab Ch’en. Photographwas taken inside the room, looking northwest. The portal on the leftappears to have been the preferred entrance and may have beenmodified. The stairway in the foreground leads to the altar.Closing RemarksIn the absence of readily availablewater sources in the area surrounding AkabCh’en, it is certainly conceivable that the