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SITE
Calakmul is one of the largest known Maya sites in the
world. Located 30 kilometres from the Guatemalan border amidst the high
forests of southern Campeche province, Calakmul once rivaled the great
Tikal for supremacy of the Maya Empire. It seems certain that Calakmul
was a military power during the Late Classic period. The archaeological
site covers an area of about 70 square kilometres and has more than six
thousand structures, each displaying astonishingly advanced masonry. Unfortunately,
most of these structures are now covered by jungle, and few have been
restored.
During the height of its power Calakmul is estimated to have had a population of 50,000. The central portion of the site where most of the monuments are concentrated is demarcated on the north by a substantial wall, probably to protect the most important political structures and residences. This centre, extending for 22 square kilometres, is also ringed by waterways and canals that were used as a drainage system. The Central Plaza lies at the heart of Calakmul, oriented on a north-south axis. According to archaeologists this was an area reserved for ceremonies and rituals. On the south side of the plaza stands the enormous Structure II. This structure is the second largest at Calakmul, measuring 140 x 140 metres at its base and reaching a height of 55 metres. At its summit stands yet another building: a palace that once had nine rooms with 38 hearths, a bath, an altar and tombs. A group of carved stelae is situated at the base of Structure II. The oldest stele in Calakmul - bearing the date AD 431 - was found here. From the top of Structure II one can see its counterpart - Structure I which stands 47 metres high. Flanking the west side of the plaza is Structure VI, which was remodeled in conjunction with Structure IV to form what the Maya refer to as an "E Group"; the placement of the platforms and structures in the two buildings is aligned with the winter and summer solstices as well as both equinoxes.
Structure III, or "the Palace," is located just outside the Central Plaza to the southeast. This structure, which has twelve rooms resting on a pyramidal base, housed as many as 20 to 30 people. A tomb was also uncovered within the structure. During excavation, archaeologists discovered the body of an adult male inside the tomb, resting on a woven mat atop five ceramic vessels. The body had been covered in red pigment and was adorned by a magnificent collection of jade jewelry, including a spectacular jade mask that covered the face. From these finds it has been conjectured that the tomb must have belonged to a Calakmul ruler.
The Great Acropolis of Calakmul is home to more public buildings. Here one finds the ball court and a residential area made up of a set of structures - size depending on rank of occupant - surrounding 14 patios and small plazas.