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searchable PDF - Association for Mexican Cave Studies

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68AMCS Bulletin 12 — Chapter 41996:89), the Petén of Guatemala (Brady 1999b), andelsewhere in Quintana Roo (Martos López 1994a:76–77; see also chapters 4.1 and 4.13 of present study).These simple faces may not all share the same significanceand are difficult to both interpret and date.A deep solution feature (figure 4.5.15) serves as anatural boundary to the portion of panel E illustratedin figure 4.5.13. As visible in the photograph, at leasttwo images are present to the left of this feature (butwere not drawn). They were faint and difficult to discern;however, the upper figure appears to be a facewith a partial body and arms, while lower might be asimple face. The arc of the solution pocket also appearsto have been altered or embellished. A localejidatario told me that this hole once held a cross, butit was stolen many years ago. Surely, this <strong>for</strong>tuitouslylocated natural niche did not go unnoticed or unusedin antiquity.Figure 4.5.13. Pak Ch’en Panel E (drawing by D. Rissolo).Panel F (figure 4.5.16)This panel is located directly below panel E andabove the entrance to the pool. The most striking imageis what appears to be a very realistic rendering ofa vagina. Perhaps it was intended to clearly mark thepool as a watery and womb-like place and the sacredepicenter of the cave. It is unclear whether or not thezig-zag line to the left is a completed petroglyph or ifit represents an unfinished series of vulva-like images.Lower on the panel are short horizontal lines, whichappear to compose a number of crude faces. A circularand more identifiable face is located tothe far left. This face is the last image onthe curving gallery of rock art that beginswith panel A.Figure 4.5.14. Cueva Xcosmil (after Strecker 1985:fig. 10).Panel G-1 (figure 4.5.17)Panel G is located on the western sideof a large boulder, which sits across frompanel C (see map, figure 4.5.1). The top ofthis boulder is at roughly the same level asthe broad natural terrace on which the datumwas established. There are two distinctcarved images on the boulder and they havebeen cataloged as G-1 and G-2. The profileof the figure on panel G-1 has beenidentified by Karl Taube as that of God C(personal communication). Particularlydiagnostic characteristics include the largelippedmouth, pug nose, and blunt <strong>for</strong>ehead.The element attached to the back of hishead might be a hanging ear ornament notFigure 4.5.15. Pak Ch’en solution feature.

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