K'axob Picture of WetlandsThe lush wetlands of K'axob were a magnet to ancient Maya colonizers two thousand years ago. Through the course of time, these First Americans reclaimed the wetlands through the construction of canals and island fields shown here. More recently, relict traces of this industry attracted archaeologists and cultural geographers who were inquisitive as to the timing and nature of these constructions in the wetlands. In 1979 and 1981, a multi-disciplinary team lead by noted geographer, B. L. Turner II, and famous Maya archaeologist, Peter D. Harrison, investigated-with financial backing of the National Science Foundation-the ground patterns throughout the wetland basin locally called Pulltrouser Swamp as well as the remains of ancient settlement on the higher ground peripheral to the wetland. In 1981, then graduate student Patricia A. McAnany was assigned the eastern side of southern arm of Pulltrouser Swamp to survey. At this time the remains of a site we came to call K'axob were discovered, mapped, and test-excavations completed. Evidence of early and sustained occupation at K'axob (from about 600 B. C. to A. D. 900) led to several field seasons of excavations (1990, 1992, 1993) focused on the Formative Period during which a thriving village existed at K'axob. Ritual practices indicative of ancestor veneration became greatly elaborated during this time. During the ensuing Classic Period (investigated during the 1995 season), pyramid-building at K'axob fundamentally changed the nature of the settlement from a village to a center of ritual and political activity. Throughout both the Formative and the Classic periods, the wetlands were a vital resource to the people of K'axob and current field research (1997, 1998) at the site is focused on gaining a better understanding of wetland utilization.

For these reasons, the Narrative and Images section is divided into three sections: Formative Village, Classic-period Center, and Wetland Environment. You may view the images of our research on these topics in any order that you wish by selecting the Narrative and Images link on the table of contents on the top.