The Jolja’ Cave Project
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Research Year:  2001
Culture:  Contemporary Ch’ol Maya
Chronology:  Early Classic to Post Classic
Location:  Misopa’ Mountain, Chiapas, México
Site:  Jolja’ cave

Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Site Location and Name
Regional Description
Sacred Caves
Regional Archaeological Reports
Postclassic and Colonial History
The Previous Studies of Jolja’
The 2001 Jolja’ Cave Project Field Season
Description of Jolja’ Cave #1
The Paintings
Group 1
Group 2
Painting 1
Painting 2
Painting 3
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Group 7
The Nature of Don Juan
The Day of the Cross
List of Figures
Sources Cited

Abstract

The site of Jolja’ consists of three caves on a mountain cliff at the headwaters of the Ixtelja River, Chiapas (N 17 20.916’ W92 19.509’). The caves are on the property of the Ch’ol Maya ejido of Joloniel. All three caves contain pre-Columbian pottery shards. An Early Classic Maya mural and seven groups of hieroglyphic texts are painted on the walls of Cave #1.  These are the only Early Classic cave paintings ever found in the Maya region, and they refer to rituals performed in the cave between A.D. 300 and A.D. 435.  The Ch’ol Maya of the region believe a god named Don Juan inhabits Jolja’ and each year at Cave #1 they perform a Day of the Cross ceremony in his honor.

Submitted 02/28/2002 by:
Karen Bassie
rick.bassie@nucleus.com

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