SOIL CHEMISTRY AT PETOA: IRON

The figure on the right shows the distribution of Fe in the plaza. Very high concentrations of Fe can be observed around the seating area. This is likely explained by the observation that men often sit in this area and sharpen their machetes, the filings of which are deposited in the topsoil. Together, these observations suggest that Petoa’s central plaza generally is divided into two areas, one with ritual significance (i.e., the cross shrine and the space in front of the church) and the other associated with more secular activities (i.e., the tree and seating bench area).