*Dos Pilas was the base for the extensive Petexbatun Archaeological
Project which excavated Dos Pilas, Aguateca, Arroyo de Piedra, Tamarandito,
various caves in the area and Punta de Chimino.
The Project under the direction of Dr. Arthur Demarest and Dr. Steve
Houston, with capable archaeology students, such as Kevin Johnson,
Takeshi Inomata, Joel Palka, and Teresita Robles found marvels of
the Maya World.
The findings of an unknown tomb site, with the aid of Hieroglyphic
writings is an historical use in combining archaeology and epigraphy.
Their findings of tombs full of jade and ceramic artifacts pointing
to war alliances, heir bloodletting rituals depicted on lintels,
a defense wall hurriedly constructed on top of sacred buildings,
and one beside a man-made moat brings many new insights into the
Maya Noble life.
The 4 year project has sprouted more individual projects by the
members of the original team concentrating on individual sites.
The collapse of the city states are strikingly evident with the
excavations of these sites and the revealing of temple centers under
a state of siege, as with the case of Dos Pilas, or the rapid abandonment
of the site of Aguateca due to burning of the houses by a warring
rival.
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