Chacchoben

Chacchoben is an archaeological site of the Maya in the south-east of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

Location

The ruins of Chacchoben is just 200 km drive south of Tulum and about 11 km southwest of the small town that gave its name to the archaeological site. The port city of Chetumal is located just 100 km ( route ) to the south.

History

According to current knowledge, the place was already inhabited in the Preclassic period of Mayan culture ( about 200 BC ); However, the visible today temple pyramids are from the classical period (ca. 700 AD).

After the fall of the Mayan civilization of the place was forgotten. In 1940 bought an Indian family near the overgrown by trees and bushes facility farmland. Yet it was on helicopter flights, the Mayan city of Dr. Peter Harrison was rediscovered in 1972 by the Americans and mapped. Since 1994, the site was excavated by the Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia ( INAH ), scientifically measured and restored or even rebuilt; even if the research go on the site, the ruins of Chacchoben is open to visitors since 2003. Detailed research results are not yet published.

Attractions

Main attractions of Chacchoben are three temple pyramids, the largest of which is isolated, is stepped several times and four - only slightly emerging from the building of the pyramid - Stairs features. On the aerial view it is clear that the pyramid appears to have been changed, because the side stairs end after the sixth level.

The other buildings are grouped around a slightly elevated place. The second highest pyramid is also graded, but only has an external staircase; at the lowest pyramid, the situation is similar. As evidenced stucco residues and traces of color that are not or only roughly hewn limestone buildings were formerly covered with stucco and painted in color.

A ball court has not yet been discovered. Locally, only two stelae were found; they bear glyphs that are no longer legible due to their poor state of preservation, however.

Pictures

Foot of a pyramid

Unrestored pyramid

Ruins in the jungle

Pictures of Chacchoben

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