Aguada
The aguada at Yo'okop is somewhere between a pond and a swamp. In the past, when regularly cleaned, it would have supplied the site with clean water throughout the year. Without maintenance, it has silted up and become covered in a tall grass. Located next to Group A, it is the site's only water source.
This is what the edge of the aguada currently looks like - the tall grass in the background marks the usual waterline.
If you look carefully at this photo of a tree near the aguada, you can see a brown discoloration on the lower ~30 centimeters of the bark. This marks the regular flood level of the aguada. According to our informants, the aguada regularly rises to this level during "nortes," storms bringing heavy rains and cooler temperatures.
In 2002, part of the vegetation covering the aguada was accidently burned by a local farmer (below left). This revealed linear features containing cut stones along the northern edge of the aguada (below right).
This mound (Structure S3E1-5), located just at the modern edge of the aguada, dates to the Terminal Classic. During modern "nortes," much of the base of the mound would be flooded. This indicates to us that the mound was likely built during a drier time. Interestingly, climate data from a nearby lake (Lake Chichancanab) shows that the Terminal Classic was very dry. This was the time that many southern Maya sites collapsed. In 2002, Structure S3E1-5 was fully excavated and consolidated. Check out the "Excavation" page for details.
Near Structure S3E1-5, the aguada was rimmed with cut stones.
