When talking about the extraordinary Mayan culture, many of us believe that we have already visited its best and most representative sites: Palenque, Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Bonampak. Discover Calakmul!
Calakmul, Mayan word that means "two neighboring pyramids", was baptized thus by the botanist Cyrus L. Lundell toward 1931. It is located in the state of Campeche, within the Biosphere Reserve of the same name and occupies an area of 3,000 hectares inserted in a dense jungle. Three large groups of structures have been recognized so far, the one to the west shows its buildings on a wide set of platforms surrounded by open spaces. A similar group, but smaller, is seen to the east. Between these two is located the central zone covering an area of 400 x 400 meters, in which the largest pyramid or Structure II and large open public spaces stand as the main elements.
In the central area is the call Big square, whose buildings are arranged around a double open space, similar to the urban traces of Tikal (Guatemala), and in particular Uaxactún. In this square the buildings date from all the periods of occupation of the site, which indicate its continuity through twelve centuries. The Structure II It contains the oldest building, where a 22 m2 chamber was found, roofed with a barrel vault. A feast for the eyes is the stupendous decoration of its frieze, based on large stucco masks that confirm that this property precedes the stone structures of Uaxactún and The looker, which until recently were presumed to be the oldest in the region. It should be noted that the buildings in this central area, with a palatial appearance, fulfilled ritual or ceremonial functions.
Another of the main attractions of the site is the good number of stelae, carefully placed in regular lines or in groups, in front of the stairways and facades of the pyramidal structures. The history of the ancient city was inscribed in them, and today they allow us to delve deeper into its culture. Two excellent carved and massive circular stones are distinguished by their quality and rarity in the Mayan context.
Universal values
Without a doubt, there are several characteristics that make this site a special place in the history of mankind. Calakmul displays an exceptional and well-preserved series of monuments combined with open spaces, a representative aspect of the constant urban-architectural development that it had during more than ten centuries. Its commemorative stelae (120 rescued to date) are extraordinary testimonies of Mayan art. Overall, it is an outstanding example of a Mayan capital city, and its impressive ruins still demonstrate the political and spiritual life of its ancient inhabitants.
Around the year 900 this wonderful place ceased to be that splendid city. It was completely abandoned in the 1530–1540 decade, when the conqueror Alonso de Avila conducted a reconnaissance mission in this part of the peninsula.
Fortunately for us, mayan they continue to surprise us with their full testimonies of art and history.
It was classified as world heritage by the UNESCO, on June 27, 2002.
