The Pomoná Kingdom and its Hinterland

Rancho La Herradura

Rancho La Herradura is located on a natural platform surrounded by seasonally inundated lowlands, 7 km downstream from Panhale and about 5.5 km southeast from Pomoná. The platform lies 20 m above the river level covering an extension of about 30 hectares. Three distinct groups were constructed on the top of the platform (Figure 18). The mounds were constructed out of river gravel and red clay, none of which exceed a 2-m height. Of the three groups, Group RH-A is the only one that has a distinct formal arrangement of a well-defined patio group limited on three of its sides by low platforms.

From this site both Pomoná and Panhale are clearly visible. These topographic characteristic and its proximity to the Usumacinta River 200 m due east, would make the site the ideal setting for an outpost to control and/or monitor fluvial access to Pomoná. Along the north side of the long platform runs a perennial stream tributary of the Usumacinta: the Tacalate. This stream follows in a west to east course until it reaches the Usumacinta. The Tacalate could have been used by the ancient Maya to move goods from the river to Pomoná, as it runs only 1 km south of the latter.

The ranch owner reported the existence of remains of a gravelled causeway that goes from the river to Pomoná, however, he noted that this causeway was only visible during the dry season. Accompanied by a couple of the ranch hands, we surveyed the area on horseback looking for traces of the causeway, however, the present-day land divisions and the extensive areas inundated hindered our recognisance of the terrain. Nevertheless, during our zigzagging transect from La Herradura to Pomoná we did note the presence of river gravel on the higher firmer land.

Although the visibility at the site was good, no surface materials were observed. A 1 × 1 m test pit was excavated following arbitrary 10-cm layers, until a depth of 60 cm, where the layer void of archaeological artefacts was reached. The highest concentration of artefacts was recovered from Layers 4 and 5 at a depth between 40 to 50 cm. Apart from ceramic shards; various lithic artefacts that included two projectile points were recovered.

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