Abstract

Detecting and Mapping Ancient Mountain Trails and Ritual Sites
Track: Archaeology
Author(s): Elaine Schele

The Classic Maya ruins of Palenque, Mexico are located on a ridge at the base of the east side of Don Juan Mountain. Like so many mountains in Mesoamerica, Don Juan has special significance for the existing local Maya population. Archaeologists working in this part of Mexico believe that the ancient Maya viewed mountains and their caves as sacred places where the rain god resided. Ancient temple shrines have been found on this mountain, as well as caves with evidence of ancient Maya ritual pilgrimage activity. Through the utilization of ArcGIS and ERDIS tools and by using a digital elevation model, aerial photographs, satellite imagery and written sources the ancient paths, streams, caves and springs were detected and mapped on and across Don Juan Mountain.

Elaine Schele
University of Texas
5604 Lemonwood
Austin , Texas 78731
United States
Phone: 512-343-6943
E-mail: eschele@austin.rr.com