Thermal Identification of Groundwater Discharges within Saline Lagoons Surrounding Vista Alegre, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Summary

The Maya port and site of Vista Alegre carried political and trade importance in the Terminal Classic to Early Postclassic periods. Located in the Laguna Yalahau of northern Quintana Roo, Mexico, the site is built on a small and low elevation island surrounded by mangrove. Inland from the site are freshwater wetlands (sabanas), while the near-shore waters of the restricted circulation lagoon are hypersaline. A significant research question is how the inhabitants of Vista Alegre accessed potable fresh water. We investigate this question by exploring the existence of freshwater offshore sinkholes, locally called Ojos de Agua in the surrounding area of Vista Alegre. Through the benchmarking of an aerial UAV based thermal image analysis and calibration at known ojos, we were able to successfully derive salinity variations due to point freshwater discharges in that area of the lagoon. We explain the methodology used to address correct radiometric measurements, thermal image stitching and identification of fresh-water discharge points. While it is still unclear whether such ojos were used for fresh water sources for the ancient Maya, understanding their geology and distribution provides indispensable information for the hydro-geological evolution of the area, and related coastal sites.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 22373