Chacchoben

Chacchoben - aerial view

Chacchoben is a Maya ruin site in the southeast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo .

location

The ruins of Chacchoben are just under 200 kilometers south of Tulum and about 11 km southwest of the small town of Chacchoben , which gave the archaeological site its name. The port city of Chetumal is about 100 km (driving distance) further south.

history

As far as we know, the place was already populated in the pre-classical period of the Maya culture (around 200 BC); the temple pyramids visible today , however, date from the classical era (approx. 700 AD).

After the fall of the Mayan civilization, the place fell into oblivion. In 1940, an Indian family bought farmland near the tree and shrubbery site. But it was only during helicopter flights that the Mayan city was opened in 1972 by the American Dr. Peter Harrison rediscovered and mapped. Since 1994, the site has been excavated, scientifically measured and restored or reconstructed by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH); Even if the research work continues on the site, the ruins of Chacchoben have been open to visitors since 2003. Detailed research results have not yet been published.

Attractions

Chacchoben - Great Temple Pyramid

The main attractions of Chacchoben are three temple pyramids, the largest of which is isolated, multi-tiered and has four stairs - only slightly protruding from the structure of the pyramid. On the aerial photo it becomes clear that the pyramid seems to have been changed, because the stairs on the side end after the sixth level.

The other buildings are grouped around a slightly elevated square. The second tallest pyramid is also tiered, but only has an outside staircase; the situation is similar for the smallest pyramid. As remains of stucco and traces of paint show, the limestones of the buildings , which were not or only roughly hewn, were formerly covered with stucco and painted in color.

A ball playground has not yet been discovered. Only two steles were found on site; they carry glyphs , which, however, are no longer legible due to their poor state of preservation.