Proyecto Santa Bárbara, Yucatán, México

Survey of the Site Center

An area of .22 km² (400 by 550 meters) of the site center was mapped with a total station. Additional reconnaissance revealed that all major architectural groups except the N4E2-1 Group were located in this small area. All surface features were mapped, including wells, standing walls, metates, modern albarradas, tranvia lines, and plain columns. The survey progressed rapidly as the site was virtually clear of vegetation. Unfortunately, two blocks of survey data were lost. These areas can be noted in the topographic map (Figure 2). Therefore, detailed sketch maps of these areas were used to reconstruct the location of structures in the Maler-style maps.

In addition to disturbance by looters, Santa Bárbara was used by historic populations who modified the landscape. Metal artifacts such as pots and bowls were located at several loci including large vaulted groups. An historic tranvia extends from N1W2-4, past N1W1-3 and across S1E1-1 and S1E1-3. All of these structures were impacted by this construction. Additionally, albarrada walls were constructed during the use of the site as a ranch. These walls made use of stones from ancient architecture. Column drums, veneer stones, and metates are often found in these walls. Although Santa Bárbara is not characterized by an extensive albarrada system such as the Early Classic albarrada system identified at Chunchucmil (Magnoni, 1995), several short segments of what appear to be ancient albarradas were encountered during the survey. They are consistent with the range of albarrada construction defined at Chunchucmil and may indicate that albarrada use did not cease after the Early Classic in western Yucatán.

Several general architectural forms were recorded during the survey; vaulted groups, large platforms, small platforms, large rectangular foundation braces, small rectangular foundation braces, circular foundation braces, and bedrock outcrops modified with retaining walls. Structures were given coordinate designations with sequential numbers. The site was gridded into 100 x 100 meter blocks. Each structure was given the grid coordinate with a number (e.g., Str. N1W1-14). Basal platforms, as well as superstructures were given structure numbers.

Vaulted Groups

Vaulted groups consist of coherent arrangements of architecture including at least one vaulted masonry structure. Twelve vaulted groups were recorded at Santa Bárbara. These include a variety of architectural forms. Three of these groups compose a central core area of the site, while the other nine are spaced at distances of approximately 75 to 125 meters from each other. Most of these groups occur to the north of the core area. All vaulted structures were found to be looted. Much of this activity exposed walls and floors.

The core area is composed of three vaulted groups, the S1W1-6, S2W1-1, and S1E1-4 groups, that share a common raised plaza area designated Str. S2W1-7. In addition to these three coherent groups, two other vaulted structures, Str. S2W1-8 and Str. S2E1-2, bound the southern edge of the S2W1-7 platform. Surface features suggest that Str. S2W1-8 is a ten room masonry vaulted structure. The rooms appear to be arranged in two rows of five. The northern row opens north towards the plaza and the southern row appears to be composed of interior rooms opening into the northern row. Extant architecture indicated a mix of Early and Late Puuc-style core veneer walls. Boot-style vault stones were encountered in the surface collapse. Although Andrews (1979) argued that these stones are indicative of the Terminal Classic, evidence suggests that they may have been used during the Late Classic as well. Several mosaic façade fragments were noted including two ’X’ symbols and elements of a jaguar or Chak mask. A very large plain column altar was located along the centerline of the front of the structure. Str. S2E1-2 was found to be heavily disturbed, but it appears to have faced the plaza.

Architecturally, the S1W1-6 Group appears to be the oldest at the site. The group includes seven vaulted structures arranged in a roughly circular pattern around a central altar-like structure. Low curved platforms occur between some areas of the structures ensuring that the group is completely enclosed. Similar groups have been noted at other Puuc-style sites including Labná, Yaxuná (Toscano H. et al., 2000), and Chac II. Exposed architecture revealed Early Puuc style construction, including preserved corbel vaults. A single column drum was found in association with Str. S1W1-8. On the eastern side of the group, the lone causeway, Sacbe 1, extends to the S1E1-4 Group. The juncture of this causeway and the group consists of a ramp. On the western side of the group is a complex of low platforms and heavily disturbed low mounds. These structures are associated with the group. Additionally, Str. S1W1-1, the largest mound at the site (approximately 11 meters), appears to be associated with the circular group. A small looter’s excavation at the apex of the mound revealed segments of the back wall of a room. This wall was constructed in an Early Puuc style. The alignment of this wall suggests that the structure faced directly into the round group.

The S2W1-1 Group bounds the southwestern corner of the S2W1-7 platform. This group is composed of four vaulted structures arranged around a central patio. Additionally, Str. S1W1-4, located to the northeast of the group and two foundation brace structures to the west of Str. S2W1-1 appear to be associated with it. The largest structure is located on the southern side. Looting activity exposed the remains of vaulted rooms on every side of this structure. Additionally, a substructure, Str. S2W1-1-sub-1 was partially exposed. The exposed area of this substructure reveals a well-preserved roof comb and the front façade and room on the northern side. It is within this room that Mayer (1999) discovered the fragmented mural paintings. The façade of the substructure is in a simple Early Puuc style. During the subsequent modifications of the building, it appears as though this façade was used as the back wall of a new northern vaulted room. If so, access to the substructure would have remained open suggesting its continued importance to the occupants of the group. Both Str. S2W1-1 and Str. S2W1-2 appear to be ’palace’ or range structures. Column drums were recorded on the southern side of Str. S1W1-3.

The S1E1-4 Group is located at the eastern end of Sacbe 1. This group consists of numerous small vaulted structures arranged on a very large, roughly rectangular platform. Str. S1E1-10 is the largest structure at the group, but is only comprised of four rooms. A central altar-like structure containing a column drum is located in the central platform area. A large, plain column was also located at Str. S2E1-4. The style of the exposed architecture is Late Puuc. In fact, several mosaic façade pieces were noted during the survey. These included several circle and line elements (Figure 3) and columnettes.

Only one group is located to the south of the core group. The S2W1-10 Group is located directly to the south of Str. S2W1-8 and is composed of a three room vaulted structure and several rectangular foundation braces on a large platform. It was difficult to assess the style of the cut masonry. One small rectangular foundation brace, Str. S2W1-13, was found to have very nice cut stones. Although it is possible that this structure, too small to be used for sleeping, was constructed from robbed stones, several similar structures were located at other platforms across the site.

To the west of the S2W1-1 Group lies the S2W2-1 Group, composed of two small vaulted structures on a large platform. Str. S2W2-2 exhibited Late Puuc style veneer stones, but no evidence of a mosaic façade. Capital 3 was located on the northern side of Str. S2W2-2.

The N1W2-1 Group consists of a six room vaulted structure situated on a complex platform with numerous foundation brace walls. Although stones used to construct most of these foundation braces and the platform retaining walls are large roughly cut boulders, Str. N1W2-2 was constructed with Late Style Puuc veneer stones.

The N1E1-1 Group consists of two vaulted structures, a large low platform, and several foundation braces on a large basal platform. Late Puuc style veneer and boot-shaped vault stones were noted. Str. N1E1-5 is characterized by very large stone architecture and a large number of metates (N=6). The basal platform of the group is very irregular and appears to have been constructed in several stages.

The N2W1-3 Group also consists of several vaulted structures and foundation braces arranged on top of a large basal platform. Like the S2W1-1 Group, the N2W1-3 Group consists of four vaulted structures arranged around a central patio and the largest structure is on the southern side. This structure, Str. N1W1-1 is a palace-type structure as well. The style of the exposed architecture is all Late Puuc style, although no mosaic façade elements were noted. Thirteen metates were associated with the group. Additionally, a column fragment was discovered in the central patio area.

The N2E1-8 Group is a large and complex group composed of numerous structures situated on top of two large connected platforms, Str. N2E1-1 and Str. N2E1-8. While the N2E1-1 platform is quite large, it exhibits little surface evidence of superstructures. Two heavily disturbed superstructures were noted in the southwestern corner of the platform. Str. N2E1-3 exhibits evidence that it had masonry vaults and well cut veneer stones were noted in the surface collapse. A large circular altar is located to the east of this structure. A few foundation braces were noted in the northern portion of the platform suggesting that perishable structures once existed. The architectural situation at the N2E1-8 platform is more complex. The focal building is Str. N2E1-10, a tall conical mound. Looting at this structure exposed two small parallel tombs on the southern side of the building. Measuring less than a meter in height, these tombs extend north/south and are characterized by corbel vaults. Although the tombs were empty, reports from workers indicate that each tomb contained one body and numerous ceramic vessels. Similarly constructed tombs have been found at Oxkintok (personal observation, 2001). To the east and west of Str. N2E1-10 are attached vaulted structures. Str. N2E1-14 is one of the more complex vaulted structures at Santa Bárbara. This structure is composed of three rows of rooms. Two rows face west across the patio and one faces east towards the back side of the platform. A large column with raised bands is located in front of the structure along its western side and an altar-like structure exists in the central patio area. The walls of Str. N2E1-14 exhibit a mix of Puuc architectural styles and the front row of rooms contains an interior basal plinth at the level of the stucco floor. Architectural evidence suggests that this group was occupied and modified for a longer time than many others.

The N2W2-1 Group consists of three vaulted structures and several foundation brace structures arranged around a central patio. Although heavily disturbed, the southern structure, Str. N2W2-3, exhibits evidence that it was a multi-room vaulted structure. Yet, it is difficult to discern its plan. In contrast, Str. N2W2-2 is a well-preserved vaulted structure composed of two long rooms. The walls of the structure are comprised of well cut veneer stones. A column drum is located in the center of the patio. Interestingly, a large number of metates were located at this group. Including the three metates near Str. N2W2-8, a small platform located just to the south of Str. N2W2-3, 18 metates are associated with the group.

The N3W1-1 Group is a low platform with several disturbed superstructures. Although several of the buildings may have been vaulted, only Str. N3E1-1 exhibits surface evidence that it was once vaulted. A large plain column is located in the patio in front of this structure.

The N4E2-1 Group was not mapped with the total station as it was located just outside of the grid. Yet, we located the group using a pace and compass method and made a rough Maler-style sketch map. This group is centered around a large five room palace structure, Str. N4E2-2. Several Puuc Mosaic façade elements were recorded in the collapse including a kin sign and a skeletal face flanked by simple decorative elements. One large stone was found to have a carving of a human face in a niche (Figure 4). While the entire composition was not noted, this piece may represent a figure emerging from the mouth of a cave, a common theme in elite shamanic art.

Large Platforms

Large platforms consist of low platforms having at least one side with a length of 20 m or more and no vaulted architecture. Although ten large platforms (N1W2-4, N3W3-1, N3W3-7, N3W3-14, N3W2-1, N2W3-1, N2W1-1, N1W1-13, S1E1-1, and S1W3-1) were encountered in the mapped area, reconnaissance indicated that more platforms occur to the west of the mapped area. Large platforms exhibit evidence that they were loci of domestic habitation and production. They are similar in construction to the contemporary platforms that dominate Late/Terminal Classic occupation at Chunchucmil (see Dahlin and Ardren, 1999; Stanton, 2000c). They often have three to five metates associated with them.

Small Platforms

Small platforms are low platforms having sides of less than 20 meters and no vaulted architecture. Numerous small platforms were recorded during the survey. Several indicated evidence for perishable superstructures and a few were associated with metates.

Large Rectangular Foundation Braces

In contrast to other contemporary sites across the peninsula, these foundation braces are rare at Santa Bárbara. In fact, only Str. S2W3-2 is such a structure. Consisting of a multi-room foundation brace placed on the ambient ground surface, this structure is composed of roughly worked large stones.

Small Rectangular Foundation Braces

These structures are similar to the large rectangular foundation braces except for the fact that they are small one-room buildings. All of the walls are only one course high and one course wide. The construction of the foundation braces varies from structure to structure. Some are composed of well worked stones such as Str. S2W1-13. Although it is possible that such structures used robbed veneer stones for their construction, as mentioned previously, their consistent association with platforms makes this hypothesis questionable. Regardless, the dimensions of these structures are always small. Excavations of a similar structure located on top of a metate platform at Chunchucmil did not reveal data indicating a use for this type of structure (Stanton, 2000c), although its form suggests a storage bin. Other foundation braces in this category are composed of roughly worked stones. Such structures are occasionally found on top of platforms, but are also located in isolated areas.

Circular Foundation Braces

Circular foundation braces are one course circular walls ranging in diameter from two to three meters. The stones composing the walls are always large and roughly cut. These structures appear to be associated with modified bedrock outcrops, small rectangular foundation braces, and small platforms. They are usually located in lower areas. Their distribution suggests that they are ancillary structures for domestic groups, although their use is unclear.

Bedrock Outcrops Modified with Retaining Walls

Although the landscape of western Yucatán is relatively flat, small bedrock outcrops do occur. At many sites, such outcrops are often modified for architectural construction and activity areas. At Santa Bárbara, numerous, but not all, bedrock outcrops were modified. Modifications are usually identified by the presence of large boulder retaining walls and the presence of fill, usually chich. In some cases it is possible to discern areas where the outcrop was quarried, but this is often difficult due to the weathering of the bedrock. Artifact distributions usually occur in low levels around these areas. The artifacts tend to be less well preserved than those from other surface contexts at the site.

Previous Page  |  Table of Contents  |  Next Page

Return to top of page