For his doctoral research, Mark Child investigated the famed sweat
baths of Piedras Negras, a feature known elsewhere but of relative rarity
outside the Usumacinta basin. This group contained high-quality masonry
and most likely served as a residence of nobles or lesser royalty. The
advent of this type of structure raises many questions, none answerable
at present: Do they represent a new cult of purification? Do they simply
replace perishable versions as yet undetected? Is their number attributable
to different treatments or illnesses? Or do they correspond to the needs
of different lineages or lords, a conjecture perhaps supported by their
varying date? Whatever their precise use, they served as efficient and
ingenious chambers. P-7 proved to have a cistern above its steam room,
collecting rainfall for bathing. The reconstruction of P-7 allowed Child
to bring hot stones into its rejuvenated fire-box. When basted with
water, the rock generated heat that became almost intolerable within
minutes, particularly if an unwise bather stood atop benches within
the chamber.
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