Group B
Group B is approximately 780 meters north of Group A. During the 2000 season, we mapped all of Group A, all of Sacbe 1, and an area between about 10 and 200 meters east of Sacbe 1. We also began mapping Group B in 2000, but were only able to record the north-central and northeastern portions of the Group. The remainder of Group B was mapped in 2001. Some large structures to the west, east, and north of Group B have not yet been mapped. We hope to record these in 2002. The portion of the Group mapped at present measures approximately 500m N-S and 350m E-W.
One
of our most important discoveries of the season was the existence of major
fortifications at Group B. Above is a section that runs westward from the
area where Sacbe 1 meets Group B. This section is
approximately four meters tall and four meters wide (some collapse has
occurred). This massive wall was clearly not a "last ditch
effort" to save the site, as its construction would have required
considerable effort. It probably would have had a wooden palisade running
along its top.
After this long, straight section (above), the fortification turns at a 45
degree angle. At this point, there is an inside stepped addition to allow
defenders to raise themselves to hurl rocks or weapons over the wall, while the
attackers would have still faced an abrupt four meter wall (topped with
sharpened wooden spikes?).
The photo above is taken from the inside of the fortified area. The one meter tape is resting on the stepped level that the defenders would have used. We do not know the date of the fortifications, but assume them to be relatively late in Yo'okop's history, because they run over earlier constructions and do not appear to have been built over by anything themselves.
In 2001, more fortifications were located in Group B, including the low wall (left photo) seen emerging at the left edge of the photo that heads towards the right, then turns and continues through the center of the picture. This low wall (base for a palisade) is located in the center of Group B (near Structures N6W1-2, N6W1-8, and N6W1-7). The right photograph shows a fortification wall to the north of N8W1-2, on the northern edge of Group B.
In addition to many range structures and
pyramids, Group B has quite a few Postclassic shrines. These small
structures postdate the Group's monumental architecture and are generally placed
on top of relatively high structures. This structure (N5W1-4) is located
on a long range structure. The range structure (N5W1-3) is on a larger
platform (N5W1-1) or acropolis, which marks the terminus of Sacbe
1 at Group B. As these Postclassic shrines are much later than other
architecture, they are generally in much better condition. Structure
N5W1-4 is currently threatened by a large tree growing on its roof,
however. Other shrines, such as this one (below), are located throughout
the unmapped portion of Group B, on top of earlier architecture. They too are at
risk of collapse soon. However, the same trees that weigh down the
buildings are using their roots to hold together significant portions of the
construction. For this reason, any future tree removals associated with
these shrines must be done very carefully and only under expert supervision.
Here (left) are the stairs on Structure N8W1-2 that lead to Structure N8W1-3 (right), another example of Postclassic constructions over Classic structures.
Here are photos of Yo'okop's ballcourt, located in the southwestern portion of Group B (Structures N5W2-6 and N5W2-7). The identity of these structures was confirmed in 2001 with the location of a partial ballcourt ring (below at left). This ballcourt is unusually tall (below right) and short; it is similar to Coba's recently reconstructed ballcourts.
Smaller residences surround Group B and fill the area between the site's four zones of monumental constructions (Groups A, B, C, and D). At left is an example of a residential platform with low mounds. At right is a "pila" (aka metate), that was used to grind corn; such artifacts are common in residential areas.