March 25, 2010

Caracol or El Caracol is the name given to a large ancient Maya archaeological site, located in what is now the Cayo District of Belize. It is situated approximately 25 miles south of Xunantunich  and the town of San Ignacio Cayo, at an elevation of 1500 feet (460 m) above sea-level, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The site was the most important political centre of Lowland Maya during the Classic Period within Belize.

Discovery

The site was first reported by a native logger named Rosa Mai, who came across its remains in 1937 while searching for mahogany hardwood trees to exploit. Mai later reported the site to the archaeological commission for British Honduras, as the British colony, later to become independent Belize, was known at the time. In 1938 the archaeological commissioner, A.H. Anderson, visited the site along with a colleague H.B. Jex, spending two weeks in preliminary surveys and noting a number of carved monuments, stelae and Maya inscriptions. It was Anderson who gave the site its name —from the Spanish: caracol “snail, shell”, but more generally meaning spiral- or volute-shaped— apparently on account of the winding access road that led to the site.[1]

History

Ancient Caracol as a site was occupied as early as 1200 BCE. Its greatest period of construction was in the Maya Classic period, with over 40 monuments dated between 485CE to 889CE which record the dynastic sequence of the rulers. All are in Classic Choltian, the prestige tongue of the Lowland Maya. Its real name is provisionally translated from its glyph, as of 2003, ox witz ha (hispanicised, “Oxhuitza”) or “place of three hills”; K’antumaak is also possible.[2]

The town grew into one of the largest ancient Maya cities, covering some 65 square miles (168 km²) with an estimated peak population of about 120,000, or possibly as many as 180,000 people.

Caracol was at first a client of Mutal (at the Tikal site) 70 km to the northwest. Mutal’s influence weakened during the mid sixth century; losing control of Naranjo, between the two cities, to rival Calakmul. In 553 CE Mutal’s king Double Bird appointed a new lord over Caracol in attempt to outflank Naranjo. But then Caracol also allied itself with Calakmul. Three years later, Tikal declared an “axe war” against Caracol – “a war with intent to destroy” – and defeated it; but not, it turned out, decisively. In 562, Lord Kan (“Water”) I of Caracol, alongside Calakmul, declared a “star war” against Mutal – a holy war, planned in accordance with astrology – and captured and sacrificed Double Bird. This event is seemingly concurrent with archaeological and epigraphic evidence indicating the beginning of the Tikal Mid-Classic Hiatus, when an apparent decline in the Tikal site’s population, a cessation of monument building, and the destruction of certain monuments in the Great Plaza occurred as Caracol’s population and urban development seemingly skyrocketed.[4] After that, the Tikal site took on cultural characteristics of Caracol.

Lord Kan I passed on his throne to the eldest of two brothers 26 June, 599. His younger brother succeeded him 9 March 618 and took the name Lord Kan II. He performed a ritual of alliance in Calakmul’s territory the following January.

Caracol’s sometime ally Naranjo by this time had meanwhile made feelers toward Mutal. So, in 28 May 626, Lord Kan II pre-emptively attacked Naranjo. He attacked again 4 May 627, and sacrificed its king. This destabilised Naranjo, provoking a third attack 27 December 631. He did it a fourth time 4 March 636. On 24 November 637, he capped it off by celebrating his first katun of reign at Naranjo itself; and, on 6 December 642, he imposed the Hieroglyphic Stairs monument upon it.

In 682, Tok-Chan-K’awil of the Tikal royal family-in-exile at Dos Pilas installed his daughter as queen in Naranjo, removing it again from Caracol’s demesne. In 800 CE, Hok K’awil captured the lord of Ucanal. The last recorded date in Caracol (and Choltian-speaking Belize) is 859 CE, on Stele 10.

Excavations, investigations, and modern development

The site was first noted and documented in archaeological terms in 1937. More extensive explorations and documention of the site was undertaken by Linton Satterthwaite of the University of Pennsylvania in 1951 and 1953. A project of archaeological excavations and restorations of the ancient structures at Caracol started in 1985 and is ongoing. The project is currently directed by Drs. Arlen and Diane Chase of the University of Central Florida in Orlando. The site is maintained by residential wardens from the Belize Institute of Archaeology, a sub-division of the National Institute of Culture and History, a government-run agency.

The site currently accommodates an average of 15-20 tourists per day, with greater numbers during the peak season around Easter. A museum to hold the large monuments found at the site is currently being constructed. A visitor center is already at the site, and recent developments include new directional and informational signs and a house for the residential staff.

The only road Caracol may be accessed by is paved for the last ten miles and leads to the Western Highway between San Ignacio and Belmopan and to Santa Elena.

Caana (“sky-palace”) is the largest building at Caracol. It remains one of the largest man-made structures in Belize.

Other area sites

Other Mayan sites within the Cayo province include Xunantunich, Cahal Pech and Chaa Creek.

• Maya Prehistory and Caracol
• History of Caracol
• Calakmul Mayan ruins-Campeche, Mexico
• Description of Words

May 13, 2010

Mayan civilization is one of America pre-Columbian civilization. The Mayan civilization of Central America as a civilization thousands of years in the southeast of Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala in an area extending ruled.  Mexico’s southeastern five-state founded by Maya (Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Yucatán), the dates for hundreds polish have produced and polish some of today still spoken 21-44 Maya language formation has provided. BC this civilization 600 due to the rise in the past, Anno Domini 3. century to the golden age (the classical period, AD 250-900) was a step, the political turmoil of the city-state has collapsed as a result of MS 900, until the existence of a large area and at the end of Spanish occupation was in the process. , if the Mayan civilization ended in many ways, contrary to common belief, is not no Mayans still live in this country and some of the Mayan languages are spoken.

“Ancient Maya” s (Maya point compared to today’s descendants used phrase), astronomy, mathematics, architecture and art at such an advanced level of civilization in many areas, they are. Rabinal Achim, Popol-Vuh, the Mayan Chilam Balam in such works of literature depicting the life of this culture is. 1697 Spanish occupation of the capital of the Mayan Itza Tayasal’ın  and the capital of Guatemala’s Mayan Ko’woj Zacpetén’in completed by taking the last Maya state of the capital in 1901 (Chan Santa Cruz)  has disappeared with the invasion by Mexico.

It is divided into three regions of the yeast home: South of the “Upper Lands” ı south (or the middle) “The Lands” and the north of the “Lower Lands” ı. “Upper Land” in Guatemala and Chiapas territory includes a high-altitude level. The lands south of the above “Land” takes place just north of Mexico Petén’i (Campeche), Quintana Roo’yu, northern Guatemala, Belize and El Salvador covers. Norton’s “The Land” the Yucatan   Peninsula and the rest covers Puuc expand hill.

Classic-month period from the extraordinary structures built and Nakbé, Mirador, San Bartolo, mercury, such as large cities have set up the Mayan classic period, they set up the famous city of some of Tikal, Quiriguá (both World Heritage List was taken) , Palenque, Copán, Río Azul, Calakmul, Ceibal, Cancuén, Machaquilá, Dos Pilas, Uaxactún, Altun Ha, Negras’tır Piedras. Religious center of Maya civilization in the most interesting monuments are the pyramids. The administrator of the palace, decorated with wall paintings and plaster houses of noble people among the interesting monuments are located. One of the interesting work in Maya, they operate with master stone sculpture, manager of the genealogy, military victories have been described, by Maya tetum (“tree-stones”), called monumental obelisks. Jade trade between the goods of yeast, cocoa, corn, salt, and obsidian stone can be considered. Yeast, such as front-Turks gave special importance to the jade stone.

• Description of Words
• Maya Sites, Xel-Ha
• Becan Mayan Ruins In The southern area of Campeche, Mexico
• Tulum Ruins, Mexico

October 1, 2011

An amazing example of isolated oceanic islands, born of volcanic activity more than 2,000 m under the sea, these islands boast amagnificent topography and are home to numerous endemic species, especially birds.

Based in the South Pacific, 700 km north-east of Sydney, the house is included administratively in New South Wales. The preserve includes some 75% of the land area of  Lord Howe Island and all of  the offshore islands and rocks of significant size in the region.

These are the Admiralty Group; Mutton Bird and Sail Rock; Blackburn (Rabbit) Island; Gower Island; and Ball’s Pyramid, together with several of small islands and rocks.

The seaward boundary follows the mean high water mark and therefore excludes all littoral and marine areas. The entire island group has remarkable volcanic exposures unfamiliar elsewhere.

The main island of Lord Howe measures 10 km from north and south and is nothing more than 2 km in width. It roughly describes a crescent, enclosing a coral reef lagoon on its south-western side. The island’s topography is covered with the southerly Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird. Only a narrow isthmus of lowland country in the north-central part of the island is habitable. The northern tip consists of steep hillsides culminating in extensive sea cliffs resistant to the northern coastline.

Lord Howe Island is the eroded remnant of a large shield volcano which erupted from the sea floor intermittently for about 500,000 years in the late Miocene (6.5-7 million years ago). The island group represents the exposed peaks of a large volcanic seamount which is about 65 km long and 24 km wide and which rises from ocean depths of over 1,800 m.

Four separate series of volcanic rocks are recognized on the main island group: tuffs, breccia and basalts, with widespread intrusion of basaltic dykes.

The dominant landforming process on Lord Howe since the last of the volcanic eruptions has been marine erosion, which has cut and maintained major cliffs. Slope failure and accumulation of talus at the foot of some cliffs, particularly in the south, have modified their original shape.

The island supports the southern truest coral reef in the world, which is of Pleistocene to Recent Age and differs considerably from more northerly warm water reefs. It is unique in being a transition between the algal and coral reef, due to fluctuations of hot and cold water around the island.

A wide variety of vegetation types has been described for the islands, with the diversity corresponding with the range of habitats. Variable exposure to wind and penetration of salt spray appear to be the main determinants of vegetation occurrence, structure and floristic.

A population of the large forest bat occurs on the Island. No other indigenous native mammals are known. Introduced species, however, include mice, rats and goats.

There are at least 129 native and introduced bird species. Lord Howe is now the only known breeding ground for providence petrel. Fleshy-footed shearwater breeds in large numbers, with possibly half the world’s population present seasonally. Other important species breeding within the preserve include kermadec petrel, black-winged petrel, wedge-tailed shearwater, little shearwater, white-bellied storm petrel, masked booby, and red-tailed tropic bird in greater concentrations than probably anywhere else in the world.

The earliest European discovery of Lord Howe appears to have been in 1788 by the British. A small permanent settlement was established in the 19th century, subsisting on trade with passing ships. There is no recognized evidence of prior Polynesian or Melanesian discovery or settlement.

• Great Barrier Reef, Australia
• Barrier Reef Reserve System, Belize
• Kakadu National Park, Australia
• Tasmanian Wilderness, Australia

May 5, 2011

Ek Balam is a Yucatec Maya name which may be converted as “the black jaguar” or “bright star jaguar.” The enormous dimensions on the buildings on this site are what be noticed, and also the indisputable fact that two walls surround the central part – an infrequent attribute. The most important structures are found inside the walled enclosure of less than one square kilometer and so are distributed within two large, connected plazas termed as the Central and South Plazas. Numerous constructions of numerous sizes are found around these. The walls have five entrances in several parts of its periphery and five sak be´oob (roads) which depart with the entrances in the direction of the 4 cardinal points. The South side of the wall is a special case. It has two entrances and two sak be´oob. The most important cultural period at Ek Balam was the Late Classic (700 – 1000 A.D.), however the early inhabitants remained living there until after 900A.D., as shown by a few small constructions built next date. Their characteristics are extremely different constitute the older buildings which make it clear that the society suffered some changes and dedicated less resources and work to construction.

Commander Juan Gutiérrez Picón relates while in the “Account of Ek Balam – 1579,” that Captain Francisco de Montejo granted him the administrative centre from the district of Tiquibalon (Ek Balam containing five villages) for having been one of many conquerors of the region. İn accordance with this account, it is also stated that Tiquibalon was founded and populated from the great man called Ek Balam, who built most of the five structures to begin. Other captains under his orders constructed the remaining.

Structure 17 (above) which we call the twins, is situated to the West of the South Plaza to represent the best conserved architectural characteristics at Ek Balam. It is formed with a large foundation where two others were created to support two vaulted buildings of 4 rooms each. The dwelling measures 40 m. in length, 17 m. wide and is approximately 6 m. high.

Structure 10 (above right) measures 43 m. in length, 30 m. wide and is roughly 5 m. high. You’ll find three more structures on its upper part. Two of most are low platforms with no construction on top of them and also the other is a small vaulted temple with thick walls and an alter located in its interior. Because of its architectural characteristics, it’s associated with the “miniature temples” of the East coast of Quintana Roo. Even though the base corresponds to the Late Classic (700 – 1000 A.D.), top of the structures were not built prior to the Post Classic (1200 – 1542 A.D.)

The decoration of Ek Balam’s building facades wasn’t completed with carved figures within the stones as it was at Uxmal and Chichen Itza, though stucco and limestone mortar modeled into distinct forms and painted. Throughout the excavation, two stucco masks put together which formed area of the decoration. The only decorative stone elements in this particular building include the small hoops in the corners of the rooms.

The optimum time to travel to Ek Balam is during a trip to the ruins of Chichen Itza, or even the colonial city of Valladolid in the interior of Yucatan. Ek Balam archaeological zone is roughly a 2 hour drive on the Riviera Maya and is located 40± kms north of Valladolid in relation to Rio Lagartos. From Tulum it’s easiest to accept the Coba road west, stay right with the Coba ruins exit and continue on the street to Chemax and Valladolid. From Cancun it is easiest to take the Cuota road toward Merida and exit at Valladolid, then go north. There exists a sign up the exit bring.

• Mayan ruins of Mayapan
• Chichen Itzá, Mexico
• Muyil Mayan Ruins
• Calakmul Mayan ruins-Campeche, Mexico

May 4, 2011

The ruins of Kohunlich and Dzibanche certainly are a couple real gems. Completely encompassed by the lush foliage with the tropical jungle these time worn ruins possess a mystical quality that is certainly increased by the insufficient vacationers, who seldom project this far south. For this reason these are frequented by various tropical wildlife and exotic birds. On any given day, it’s not unusual to find yourself alone to wander the maze of paths contributing for the different plazas.

Also within the state of QR would be the ruins of Chakanbakan and Oxtankah on the shores of Chetumal Bay; and Chacchoben located off highway 307 north of Bacalar near Limones village moving around from Chetumal to Majahual.

To achieve Dzibanche take highway 307 (Cancun/ Tulum highway) roughly 3.5 hours south of Tulum to where 307 ends with the Chetumal/ Escarcega highway (past the capital of scotland – Bacalar). Turn right. At kilometer 58 (sign for Dzibanche/ Morocoy) turn right again and drive 22 kms on the ruin site.

To reach Kohunlich continue beyond the turn for Dzibanche within the Chetumal/ Escarcega freeway, and travel just 2 kms farther on, then turn left (in conjunction with the sign for Kohunlich) and travel around 9.5 kms for the Kohunlich ruins.

In the nearby state of Campeche you will discover quite a few more archaeological sites together with; Xpuhil, Chicanna, Becan, Rio Bec, Hormiguero and Calakmul. These kind of are turns journey Chetumal/ Escarcega highway, farther west throughout the Quintana Roo / Campeche State border. Some are placed off road and so are very hard to get at. The simplest way to visit the area is to spend the night down within the Bacalar / Chetumal area.

• Becan Mayan Ruins In The southern area of Campeche, Mexico
• Muyil Mayan Ruins
• Mayan ruins, Ek Balam
• Maya Civilization

May 3, 2011

Mayapan, or Banner of the Mayas, is the last great Maya capital, dating from the beginning of the calculation, and reached its golden age during the Post Classic. It is believed that this city was once a population of 12 000 inhabitants. Kukulkan Chichen Itza II Mayapan established between 1263 and 1283 AD. After his death, a family Cocoom aggressively took over and used as a basis for Mayapan subjected to northern Yucatan. They managed through wars Tabascan mercenaries and intermarriage with other powerful families. Cocoom reigned 250 years, until 1441-1461 AD upsart Uxmal is based on a family named Xiu Cocoom rebelled and slaughtered.

Mayapan former grandeur is still evident in its great buildings. There is a strong influence played by Chichen Itza, as seen in its main building, a small copy of the Castillo of Kukulcan. The central square is surrounded by government buildings, administrative and religious houses of the ruling class. These structures were built on the basis of rows of pillars, with temples and shrines, an altar to the rear and benches along the sides. There is also the round buildings known as “observatories” and the small shrines representing ancient cities.

They painted the frescoes, which are still visible, is the style used in the Code of the post classic period. The murals depict scenes of war and events related to the cult of death, evidence of cultural links with the years of the highlands of central Mexico.

Although it is believed that a Mayapan Uxmal and Chichen Itza formed the Triple Alliance, in recent archaeological excavations indicate that the latter two cities actually flourished well before Mayapan. What is true is that the city was the central government to remind Chichen Itza. Mayapan continue to flourish between 1250 and 1450 Mid-1400 marked the end of the city when the rebellion was defeated and nearly destroyed the city Mayapan. The middle of the fifteenth century Mayapan was destroyed, burned and abandoned. More research and studies done in this area is becoming increasingly evident that this city was even more important than previously thought.

Church and Monastery of Mani Yucatan, the site of the infamous 1562 burning of the Mayan codices and manuscripts of Bishop Fray Diego de Landa. Like most Spanish colonial churches of Yucatan was built with carved stones of pre-Columbian Maya temples. The stakes stuck Landa ash nearly all written by Maya. Only three codes are known to have survived. Landa has announced the books contained “nothing but the lies of the devil,” and burned them to support its mission to convert the Maya to Christianity.

Mani is continually occupied about 4,000 years. In the post-classic Mesoamerica, which was home to Xiu Tutal Maya dynasty, who moved their capital here in Uxmal 13th century. Xiu was the dominant power in western Yucatan after the fall of 1441 to Mayapan An annual festival in honor of the god Kukulcan were held here.

The old Franciscan monastery founded in 1549 as the y Exconvento Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel. Inside, there are some wall paintings from the colonial era. restoration of the monastery and his work began in 2001. Mani is about 100 km south southeast of Merida, Yucatan.

• Muyil Mayan Ruins
• Mayan ruins, Ek Balam
• Mayan Ruins, Uxmal
• Chichen Itzá, Mexico

Muyil Chunyaxché and modern names are used to refer to the archaeological site from two large lagoon is located outside the region, both within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Muyil 22 is the most important pre-Hispanic settlements in Sian Ka’an, and is located 12 km from the Caribbean coast, about 25 km south of Tulum Pueblo on Highway 307

Architecturally, the site is divided into two areas: Muyil Muyil and B. The first of these is open to the public and extends for 38 hectares of jungle. It ‘was a densely populated settlement was pre-Hispanic, a large number of civil and religious, and residential construction, only some of which have been discovered by archaeologists. Given the proximity of the city to ruin Muyil lagoon is believed to have been the first stop impotatant Hispanic Maya maritime trade route along the coast. There is evidence that the use of natural input and Maya beaches up and down the coast, the beaches of the ruins of Tulum, Tankah, Akumal, Xaac, Paamul, Chakalal input and Xel-Ha and Xcaret (which are all Mayan ruins of related). Landlocked lagoons and Muyil Chunyaxché connected by a narrow channel of water that will be dredged to allow access to the ancient Maya Despite the Caribbean Sea and Laguna Campechen entrance to Boca Paila.

The secondary sector Muyil is located 2 km northeast of the first and the core is composed of small structures.

The information obtained to date indicates that the Mayan groups began to settle here around 300 BC C. It is the culmination of centuries before the ancient cities of Chichen Itza Maya, Uxmal and Tulum. It is believed that the site was used by the Maya to the first decades of the 16th century, when Francisco de Montejo, led the Spanish conquest of Yucatan. According to documents from the colonial era, the Spanish camp was first established in 1527 by Montejo, near the port and then Maya Xel-ha, and called Salamanca Xala.

• Tulum Ruins, Mexico
• Ephesus, Turkey
• Mayan ruins, Dzibanche & Kohunlich
• Mayan ruins, Ek Balam

May 1, 2011

Tulum’s greatest attraction is its location. It stands on a promontory facing the rising sun from view overlooking the Caribbean that are nothing short of spectacular. Maya, Tulum means “wall”, and the city so named because it is a walled city, one of the few ancients ever built. According to studies, was formerly called Zama or “dawn” of the day, which is suitable as a location. Feels “Tulum” is the name of the site after a visit to the explorers Stephens and Catherwood in 1841, just before the Caste War in 1847, long after the city had to give up and fell into disrepair. They ordered the trees removed and Catherwood drew illustrations of temples, and then published in their famous book “The diversion of travel in Yucatan.” Juan José Gálvez is actually credited to the discovery of Tulum in 1840.

The previous survey for the site is AD 564 (the inscription on a stele) The site of Tulum in the classical period, although we know that its height was much later (1200 to 1521 AD) during the last post-classical period. Tulum is an important link in the network of major Mayan trade. Both sea and land routes converged here. Artifacts found in or near the site of contacts show ranging from central Mexico to Central America and everywhere: the copper rings bells and Mexican highlands around flint and pottery, jade and obsidian Yucatan Guatemala and more. The first Europeans to see Tulum was probably Juan de Grijalva and his men as they sailed recognition along the eastern coast of Yucatan in 1518. The Spanish later returned to conquer the peninsula without realizing Old World diseases that decimated the native population. And Tulum, like so many cities before it was abandoned to the elements.

When visitors arrive in Tulum old prehispanic site they can see the buildings that was once the main city center (ceremonial and political), a monumental wall surrounded by the most famous of the Mayan world. Around this wall, in an area not open to visitors, there were many wooden houses and palm. Today, virtually no evidence of these houses exist.

The town square in the city was probably once used for rituals or ceremonies and is flanked by the Castillo (The Castle) to the west. Castillo, sometimes called the lighthouse is the tallest building in Tulum and the most famous. It is found in over the cliff, overlooking the ocean and the coast for miles in both directions. The structure has undergone several stages of construction and superior rooms lintels are carved with the motif of the feathered serpent. The rooms are arched Classic Maya.

There is another interesting structure. The facade is a figure carved upside down, and the walls show traces of original pigments used by the Maya. The figures downward thought to represent a deity and Tulum appears to have been the center of his worship.

The facade of the Temple of the Initial Series has several stucco figures and the first found in Tulum was a wake in the inner sanctum. Equally important are the temple of the frescoes are filled with murals, now mostly obliterated by time and elements. The temple contains traces of various architectural styles. The House of the columns is more complex than most structures at the site and should be considered. It is a palace-like structure with four rooms, including the main entrance faces south. Six columns support the roof of the main hall is an altar covered. With the exception of its eastern flank, which is open to the sea, Tulum is completely surrounded by a low wall. Views instead of the 2 corners of the west and within each tower is an altar. A small stream at the foot of the cliffs, sandy apron white as snow. This is where trading ships Caleta, sliding to the floor.

• Mayan ruins, Ek Balam
• Muyil Mayan Ruins
• Mayan ruins of Mayapan
• Palenque Mayan, Mexico

History

The name Uxmal means “thrice built” in Mayan, referring to the construction of its highest structure, the Pyramid of the Magician. The Mayans used to build a new church in an existing, and in this case five stages of construction have actually been found. Uxmal was one of the largest cities in the Yucatan Peninsula, and at its peak, home to about 25,000 Maya. Puuc Like other sites, which flourished in the Late Classic period (about 600 to 900 AD). It seems that their leaders also presided over the nearby settlements of Kabah, Sayil and Labná, and several sacbe (white roads of the Maya) connecting the sites. The area is known as Puuc Puuc or route, the surrounding hills. With a population of about 25,000 Uxmal was one of the largest cities in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Architecture

Puuc architecture has several predominant features, including buildings with a flat bottom section and upper richly decorated. Sculptures of the most common snakes, lattices and masks of the god Chac. Chac, the god of rain, greatly revered by the Maya at Uxmal because of the lack of natural water in the city. Despite the rivers of the Yucatan area a few years, most Mayan cities, including Chichén Itzá, used cenotes to access underground water, but no cenotes at Uxmal. Instead, it was necessary to collect rainwater in cisterns or Chultun built on the ground.

Pyramid of the Magician

Magician Pyramid legend says that when certain gong sounded in the city Uxmal would fall guy “was not born a woman.” One day, a young dwarf, who had been beaten a witch, sounded like a gong, which struck the fear of the sovereign, who responded by imposing a boy to be executed. The king has promised that the boy’s life could be saved if he could perform three impossible tasks, one of which was to build a giant pyramid in one night. Boy reached all the functions and became the new ruler.

Stevens and Catherwood

As part of the girl, Tourism Yucatan John Stevens tells the stories of human sacrifice occurred in the largest temple of the House of magician. When the victim is still alive, his heart torn priest of flint knife and throw the body (presumably moving) down the steep stairs.

The stairs and bedrooms

The Pyramid of the Magician is 117 feet (38 m) high. Exceptionally built on an elliptical base, this pyramid is the result of five superimposed temples. Parts of the first temple can be seen climbing the stairs of the West, the second and third can be accessed by stairs from the east, in an internal compartment of the second degree. The fourth temple is clearly visible from the west side, a giant Chac mask marks the entrance and Chac’s mouth is the door! Climb to the top of the stairs to the east to reach the fifth temple and see the entire site. Legend has it that the pyramid is the dwarf boy raised in a single night.

Nunnery Garden is a collection of four buildings around a courtyard. E ‘is called Casa de las Monjas (Nunnery) in Spain from 74 small rooms around the courtyard reminded quarters nuns’ monastery in Spain. Each of the four buildings has a unique ornate façade, and each is built on a different level. North Building is the oldest and largest. Here you can see many typical Puuc decorations, such as Chac masks arranged one another vertically, serpents and lattice. building to the east, and closer to the House of the Magician, is the best preserved, with a group of Chac masks over the central door and snakes over the doors on the left and right.

Governor’s Palace is considered by many experts as the best example of architecture Puuc exist. Governor’s Palace built on an artificial platform, and is believed to be one of the last buildings constructed on site (about 987 AD). The structure is a typical part of the lowlands, and richly carved upper. Among the descriptions are serpents, lattices and masks and also a central seated god-like figure in a long feather head-dress.

Turtle House is adjacent to the Governor’s Palace and at the same elevated platform. The Turtle House is the name of the frieze of turtles carved around the cornice. It was believed that turtles suffered with man at times of drought and also pray for rain Chac. The Great Pyramid was originally nine levels high and was partially restored. It seems that another temple would be superimposed on the existing structure and some demolition had taken place before the plans were suspended, leaving the pyramid in bad condition. You can still see the stone in Puuc fascade.

• Chicanná Mayan
• Mayan ruins of Mayapan
• Palenque Mayan, Mexico
• Mayan ruins, Ek Balam

April 30, 2011

A touch known and easily accesible number of ancient Maya temples, referred to as Xel Ha, is located 15 minutes north of Tulum pueblo on Hwy 307. Xel Ha (which means mixing of the waters in Mayan) is also the name of the large cove and tourist park nearby, famous for it´s magical swimming and snorkeling.

The placement of Xel Ha is vital as a way to realise why this area was so vital to the spiritual life of the traditional Maya people. For it was here that pilgrims originated from all over Maya land (now referred to as Central America and the Yucatan) for their once-in-a-lifetime pilgrammage to the island of Cozumel. In days long past gone, Cozumel was named Ixchel, which is the name of the Maya goddess of love and fertility. For it was here, on this beautiful island only accessed by large canoes, that Maya people performed their ceremonies for abundant fertility, usually right before marriage.

Upon entering the archeological zone of Xel ha, there are two main areas of interesting ruins which are built during the Maya classic period (300 to 900 AD). The first area which is literally alongside the highway, you will find buildings of stone lying in bliss among large Ceiba trees. The Ceiba tree is the Maya tree of life. Seemingly reaching out in all directions, the Ceiba grows fast and strong from the bottom up, growing branches before growing leaves. For the Maya, the Cieba tree is a natural demonstration of the Christian cross or DiVinci´s Vitruvio, exemplifying our connection to the underworld, in all four directions (north, south, east and west) and our link with above (God, space and extra terrestrials).

Among the ruins you´ll find a cirular bath area (which could have already been a choltun, which is a Maya water collector) plus a beautiful ancient wall painting of the honey god, which unfortunately was sandblasted by hurricane Wilma some time ago. Still you will see the red paint hand print from the original mason who constructed the temple on your Maya shaman.

The important secret of the Xel Ha Maya ruins is the original sac be (Mayan for white road) which enters 1 km to the jungle. Towards the end of this natural rocky road, now quite rustic after a milenia of jungle growth, is a beautiful cenote (hole from the rock of fresh healing standard water) along side the mini jaguar house. This mini group of spectacular ancient ruins carries a painting of the descending jaguar, representative of the descending god, person who plays in the underworld. For the Maya, cenotes and oceans represent Xibalba, the innerworld or underworld. Just as everyone snoozes every evening and everyone dies, the Maya metaphorically and shamanistically went into these “worlds” in deep breathing.

Here you can sit because the Maya priest/shaman sat, with his or her returning to the cenote (representing your connection to soul and otherworld through your third eye and crown chakra) and meditate acquire the best together with your physical eyes upon the mini, almost childlike, rock temple only some meters away.

The good thing regarding this magical jungle experience do you think that is birds of many different feathers greet you as you visit, large iguanas scurry in their rock condos since you go by, as tree snakes silently watch every move you create. As this is not just a popular tourist attraction, you could have the entire experience to on your own.

Be sure you refresh yourself by jumping journey rocks in the cool water. But why should you not use suntan lotion if you are planning to swim as it destroys the natural delicate water balance.

• Maya Sites, Yaxchilán
• History of Caracol
• Muyil Mayan Ruins
• Chichen Itzá, Mexico

April 29, 2011

The Yaxchilán archeological site can be reached by an hour long boat ride down the mighty Usamacinta river through one of the last great North American rainforests. It is surely an experience for being remembered. Traveling in a long boat with its large outboard motor you can view Guatemala one shore and Mexico on the other.

If you keep looking out you will see lots of the rainforest inhabitants, from wild monkeys to toucans and eagles. The water itself contains crocodiles many varieties of freshwater fish.

You´ll see large buildings of cut stone peeking through the jungle as you pull to shore. Stepping off the boat and under the rainforest canopy has a cooling effect as you begin your tour of Yaxchilán. Built during the Maya golden age, 200-900 A.D., the site has 86 known buildings. To go in the site you’re going via a building called the labyrinth. The actual using this building in precedent days is unknown, yet its link with the underworld for the Maya is undoubtedly important.

The ceremonial center begins with its huge main plaza and well maintained stele and door lintel carvings. Finding out about the hill you´ll see incredibly intact roofcombs of the second tier of buildings. You may climb to level after level of buildings, each an architectural wonder, each which includes remarkable detail worth noting. Occasionally one can find proof of recent worship with the Lakandons, a dwindling group of Maya that still practice the traditional ways of worship.

The Mayan ruins at Yaxchilán are famous for the extensive history detailed in its well preserved carvings. The majority of lintel and stele carvings commemorate the important historical events occurring throughout the reign of King Jaguar Shield, his famous wives Lady Xoc and Lady Eveningstar, and his awesome son Bird Jaguar who ruled here in the 8th century.

Yaxchilán is exclusive in its large number of depictions of important female personages. Lady Xoc, specially, is depicted engaged in numerous rituals. To quote Linda Schele and David Friedel in A Forest of Kings, ¨The depiction of a woman as the principal actor in ritual is unprecedented at Yaxchilán and almost unknown in Maya majestueux art at any site.¨

Many images depict women engaged inside the ritual of bloodletting. If this is a town of seers, as many accept is as true was, then this bloodletting ceremony was undoubtedly the ritual magic accustomed to start the seer on their own journey. Again to quote Schele and Friedel, ¨The purpose of these great cathartic rituals was the vision quest, the opening of a portal in the Otherworld by which gods also, the ancestors may be enticed so your beings of your world could commune together.¨ Here a Maya queen holds a bowl filled with strips of paper utilized to collect blood. The strips will later be burned for offering towards gods.

Yaxchilán also offers some interesting images that streamline another critical Mayan ritual, the sacred ballgame. The shocking discovery on this number of friezes show in clear detail how the ¨ball¨ on this game was obviously a bound captive human. It appears that Bird-Jaguar (in the ball game outfit) must not allow the ball hit the ground. Behind the king are two dwarves, causing anyone to ask, who have been these enigmatic little people referred to much in Maya mythology? Perhaps they may be in connection with the ancient Olmec belief that four dwarves organized the cardinal points on the sky.

Nearly every building contains a doorway that tells a story. When visiting here, make sure to lookup at the carved lintels topping the doorways to check out some of the finest preserved carvings from your ancient Maya world.

As soon as you attain the the surface of the Yaxchilán site you will find yourself overlooking the lush highland rain forest. İt is a favorite spot for the majority. Stop here to relax and ponder the mysterious ways of the ancient Maya.

• Aztecs, Sports and Gameses
• Maya Sites, Xel-Ha
• Palenque Mayan, Mexico
• Chichen Itzá, Mexico

February 20, 2011

Granted World Heritage status in 2002 as a cultural or natural site which deserves protection for the benefit of all mankind. In addition to the archaeological importance of Calakmul, also known as a paradise for birds with over 235 species of birds, of which 76% are residents and 24% of migratory birds, established in summer or winter.

As the story

With the location of Calakmul in the geographic center of the Maya region (the “Petén”) has been the cultural influences of the north and south. Maya sites of Calakmul has to El Mirador, Nakba, and Uaxactún formed a coalition during the formative period, constantly involved in conflicts with their southern neighbors, including Tikal. Calakmul is still a rival of Tikal, as of now.

Classic Period

Like most major southern lowland Classic Maya Period of Calakmul, finally reduced a. However, a policy shift toward the center of the Late Classic Calakmul allowed to participate in the traditions of the North, and therefore will enjoy the prosperity of the region. During the pre-classical activity was mainly ceremonial in nature. The presence of supply in the buildings of Calakmul, as effigy censers, the activity of human testing, dating from the Postclassic period until the end, in the Peten region of Campeche.

Calakmul evidence of a continuum of architecture that spans fourteen centuries (550 BC – 900 AD). Its unique architecture includes figures carved in stone and stucco modeling. Other interesting features of the site are a lot of monuments and tombstones date in the history of the ruler of Calakmul is recorded.

Towards the end of the Middle East pre-typical (700 to 300 BC) in the Maya region, have been major urban public works. During this period, the greatest story structure was built Calakmul. It was also when the site became the first public architecture, signaling an effort to define the administrative activities.

In the fifth century, Calakmul, a complete restructuring begun, even though this activity does not change the development plan of the city, which was established in the pre-classical. For these works a significant renewal of a large base structure II.

The leaders who inherited the throne of Calakmul in place the public and private street works, such as the complex of palaces in various parts of the city. They built structures to be used in specialized arts and handicrafts. Here is where members of the royal family has ordered the production of pottery and other objects used in rituals. It is likely that by the end of the Late Classic period, a series of reforms and public works started, change the image of the city.

The peak of greatest prosperity of Calakmul occurred during the Late Classic period, during which most of the monuments known as stelae smooth (smooth or stelae) were erected in the Grand Place. Construction time, however, was limited to a minor remodeling. This era of high performance in ceramic production, and early classical period, indicate that both periods represent times larger than the human population on the site.

• Chicanná Mayan
• Maya Civilization
• About Caracol
• Becan Mayan Ruins In The southern area of Campeche, Mexico

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