Maya Settlement Patterns and Land Use in Buena Vista, Cozumel, México

Soil Profiles

We selected two rejolladas, two huayas, a hill, and a plain area with abundant fragments of limestone and outcrops (tzekel), to test soil profiles:

Rejolladas:

Two rejolladas were sampled, the first located in the southwest quadrant, 350 m west of the main platform. This rejollada had the deepest soil profile in our sample, 84 cm depth from surface to bedrock. Five soil horizons were distinguished in this profile: The first horizon (0-5 cm) of dark brown color (5YR 2.5/2) and rich in organic material. The second (5-17 cm) a little lighter (2.5YR 25/1) with 35% of limestone. The third (17-47 cm) dark/light brown (5YR 2.5/1) with little concentration of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). The fourth (47-60 cm) light/dark brown (5YR 2.5/2) with little concentration of CaCO₃ and 25% of gravel. And the fifth (60-84 cm) brown of clayish texture (7.5YR 3/2) with little concentration of CaCO₃ and 5% of gravel.

The second rejollada located in southeast quadrant presents a profile only 18 cm depth. It had the first three horizons of the first sample at (0-4 cm), (4-7 cm), and (7-18 cm).

Top of a Hill:

This area located 300 m west of main platform presents a soil profile 50 cm depth, with three horizons: The first (0-6 cm) of dark brown color (7.5YR 2.5/1) rich in organic material with a little concentration of CaCO₃. The second (6-18 cm) of black color (2.5Y 2.5/1), rich in organic material and 20% of limestones. And the third (18-50 cm), of black color (2.5Y 3/1), of characteristics similar to the preceding horizon, but with some larger stones.

Huayas:

Two huayas were sampled, both of them located in the northeast quadrant inside the selected Area 1. Profiles were similar in both huayas, showing a depth of 50 to 60 cm with three basic horizons: First (0-4/8) of dark brown color (7.5YR 2.5/2) with no CaCO₃ and rich in organic material (50%). The second (4/8-20/25) of brown color (75YR 3/2) with a little concentration of CaCO₃ and less organic material than the upper horizon. The third horizon (20/25-31/60) was of brown color (7.5YR 3/3) with clayish texture.

Tzekel:

This type of soil is the dominant in selected Area 1, where we tested several spots. It is only 7-10 cm depth of light brown color (10YR 2/1) to brown reddish (10YR 2/2), with high concentration of limestone rocks and free of CaCO₃.

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