February 20, 2011

Becán was “discovered” by archaeologists Karl Ruppert and John Denison in 1934. The name, meaning ditch, has been given by Ruppert and Denison Becán which was named after the prominent system of moats that surround important parts of the site. The ancient Mayan name is not known. From 1969 to 1971 archaeological excavations were conducted in Becán sponsored by Tulane University and the National Geographic Society.

When we visited the ruins in 1992, we noted above white pyramids peering jungle. Nobody was there to take our same entrance fee. There is now a small Pueblo ruins and have a proper entrance area, bathrooms and parking. Currently, visitors can go up to 20 major structures on the squares and terraces spread over three hectares. The main part of Becán is surrounded by a moat, and there are remnants of a wall in some places almost 11 feet high. Excavation of ditches and construction of protective walls is very rare in the Mayan civilization. This artificial divide is a little over 2 km long and was excavated in the late pre-classic between 100 and 250 AD This trench is one of the oldest known defensive systems in Mexico.

Becan capital was a political, economic and religious of the province now known as Rio Bec sites Xpuhil, Chicanna, Puerto Roci, Okolhuitz, Channa and Ramonal belong. E ’strategically located at the base of the Yucatan Peninsula on the route connecting the river and the south-west of the lagoon of Campeche, on whose territory the Bay of Chetumal. Pete area sites have been found south of Becan. And north of the (wells) Chenes settlements in the north-east of Campeche, with whom Becan has also had relationships with.

The earliest archaeological evidence Becan year 550 BC, a period in which the Olmec culture was in decline in places such as La Venta in Tabasco. Apogee is Becan, which is reflected in the construction of the tip, and a population density occurred bewteen 600 and 800 AD Becan rejected around 1200 AD

Becán located just outside of Quintana Roo, Campeche state line, 6 km west of the city Xphil. The trip to Becán is marked by a highway sign, and the archaeological zone is located 500 meters north of the highway. Because of the importance for the region Becán Rio Bec is a significant loss to see by visiting the region. Becán is approximately 3.5 hours from Tulum, driving south on Highway 307 West on the 186th

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February 19, 2011

Creation and rediscovery

Chicanna erected in the northern Yucatan Peninsula. It used to be built to a height little to prevent the physical structures of various working groups and local precincts to perform ritual ceremonies. Chicanna discovered and named Jack D. Eaton in 1966 during the investigation before the official start of National Geographic / Tulane University Archaeological Research, whose center is Becan. The site takes its name from the time of its discovery and no doubt refers to the facade of the structure II: who’s mouth – oh, a snake – home Na, inversion, refers to the mouth of the Snake House.

Chicanna and its nearby neighbor, Becan

Both cities were built by the Maya during the same period, around AD 600 to 830th, but the architecture of the two sites are very different. Because of its size and rich ornamentation of buildings Chicanná not been considered an elitist little Becan center, which is like a residential area, the leaders of the former regional capital.

Business and occupation

Chicanna was an important trade links with other settlements in the proof of the presence of non-local website, which contain objects highlands of Guatemala and Honduras. Probably many of these products have been Becan and distributed. Evidence of occupation of the Late Preclassic. Chicanna the latest phases of activity have been dated at Early Post Classic.

Rio Bec region

Chicanna is one of 45 located in the Rio Bec region. This category refers to the shape and decoration of buildings, which together form the architecture. Thus, it is common to find the presence of elongated buildings bordered by narrow towers with rounded corners, as well as a huge entertainment Itzamna, the chief god of the Maya pantheon, also known as Monster East exhibited lower construction costs.

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Located at the foot of the mountains of Chiapas Tumbalá Mexico, Palenque is situated on the edge of a swampy plain sight always extend to the north coast of the Gulf. Perhaps this position is between two worlds, which gives Palenque a mystical charm that enchants scientist and tourists. Vista is the plain to the north and the lush green misty mountains in the background, to the south, capturing the imagination of visitors today, and certainly inspired by the ancient artists and architects.

This ancient Mayan site is located on the western border of the Maya lowlands. While the name comes from Palenque, a town near, it is possible that the people bearing the name of the old city or something similar – Bahlam family – sun jaguar – the place where the sun sets the underworld, the realm of the jaguar .

It was the floodplain of the Usumacinta northern residents more likely to Palenque provided the resources to build their great city. Equipped with the highest average rainfall in Mexico, this fertile flood plain could be grown successfully in raised beds, and have produced a crop that can not only maintain a large workforce, but also provide a flow that could be traded along the great Usumacinta. It seems that the gods also pleased to Palenque as today’s visitors.

Architecture

The architecture of Palenque was truly inventive. Have reduced the considerable weight of the traditional wing of the reduction of its duration with a separation wall and the use of hollow tribolated that minimize stress on the walls. This allowed the builders of Palenque, the construction of buildings with multiple doors and pillars in the front to let in air and light. mansard roof decorated with stucco carvings and moldings, given the horizontal structure of Palenque a nice linear aspect.

The most notable structures of Palenque Palace (A) and the Temple of Inscriptions (B) both started in the reign Hanabi Pacal and completed by his son, Chan Kan Bahlum and XUL. Also built in life Pacal was the temple, now called “Temple of the Count” by artist / adventurer Count Waldek who camped in the temple in 1831 when creating imaginative illustrations of the site.

Stop west of the main square is the first temple built by Pacal, known as Temple Olvidados (H). Here you can see the first attempts of many architectural elements found in later construction, the vaults and tribolated inside the double wall with a thin support.

Other structures Temple XIII, Palenque is situated next to a temple marking. In 1994, the secret door was found that led to the interior of the pyramid and the underground temple has three bedrooms. In the middle of the room was still a woman of stone coffin, archaeologists have called the “Red Queen”, because it was covered with cinnabar. No marking to clearly identify the real person. In June 1997, DNA tests were conducted to determine the skeleton Pascal, his relationship with this unknown woman. The results have yet been published.

Temple XII

Also on the same hill is the Temple XII, the first structure visitors see as they enter the site. It is also known as the Temple of the Skull and Temple of the Dead Moon. During 1992-1994 more than 500 objects have been unearthed from the temple. Temple XIV with Temple of the Sun. The temple is in bad condition, but a relief to meet other in-group is against the back wall.

The northern group

The northern group consists of four temples, adapted from a terrace artificially leveled. Most notable is the small structure with a pagoda roof type that inspired some of the early explorers to connect the site with the East.

The ball game is just north of the palace and its remains are still intact. There is a natural pool just below a waterfall on the river Otulum, known as the Bath of the Queen, and is still used as a bathing place.

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