The ancient Mayan city of Oxkintok is usually overshadowed by Uxmal when it comes to visitors’ attention to the Puuc region. There is no denying the splendor of Uxmal, but Okintok is no slouch, and its size and influence over its region beginning in the 4th century C.E. are imposing. The first thing to consider…
At Palenque’s on-site museum, a remarkable exhibit features artifacts from the life and death of perhaps the most famous Maya noblewoman, the Red Queen. For decades, scholars have speculated about the identity of the Red Queen. Was she Lady Yohl Ik’nal, Palenque’s only known female ruler? Lady Sak K’uk’, Pakal’s mother, who ruled as regent…
To the west of Halacho in Yucatán is the timeless Mayan community of Sihó. Far from the bustling tourist trails, this small pueblo offers an authentic glimpse into the region’s rich Maya heritage, colonial history, and rural way of life. Maya Sihó’s cobblestone streets, centuries-old church, and even more ancient Mayan temples give off the…
Campeche’s Museo de Arquitectura Maya is a fascinating museum housed within the Baluarte de la Soledad, one of the eight stone bastions that formed part of the defensive walls surrounding the city during the colonial period. As its name implies, the museum focuses on Maya architecture, showcasing artifacts, stelae, and architectural elements from various Maya…
Xcaret is a Mayan archaeological site located on the Caribbean coast within the privately owned theme park of the same name. In the Yucatec-Mayan language, xcaret means “small inlet.” But in antiquity, the name of the port city was p’ole’, which was derived from the root p’ol, which means “merchandise” or “deal of merchants.”
The Great Museum of the Maya World is a must-visit for lovers of antiquity and curious souls alike when in Mérida
Since prehistory, people have been fascinated with the natural world and made works of art full of meaning based on the animals they shared their region with. Ancient Mesoamerican peoples were, of course, no exception. The Maya, Olmec, Zapotec, Tarascan, Mexica, and others incorporated animal imagery into their temples, everyday objects, dwellings, writing, and calendar…
Chichén Itzá is by far the most famous archaeological site in Mesoamerica, attracting over 2 million visitors a year. But few realize that the name Chichén Itzá itself references a non-Yucatec-Maya ethnic group that only arrived at the city in the 9th century, roughly 1,000 years after the city as we know it was founded….
Xcambó is one of the lesser-visited archaeological sites of the Yucatán, which makes it an ideal spot for visitors wanting to take in Maya history without the crowds. The archaeological site on the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, near Telchac Puerto, is roughly an hour from Mérida and 30 minutes from Progreso….
Mérida’s regional anthropology museum, better known as El Palacio Cantón, recently unveiled an exhibit highlighting the importance of trade routes along rivers and coastlines in the Maya world. One of the most unique artifacts on display is an ancient wooden canoe. Though relatively small, it is one of the few preserved of its kind and…
With its large plazas, enormous temples, well-preserved stelae, and opulent decoration, Edzná has long been recognized as one of Campeche’s most impressive archaeological sites. The story surrounding the great Maya city has usually been dominated by its later history. In the 9th century C.E., the Itzá conquered the city, making it a regional capital and…
With no fanfare, Dzibilchaltún re-opened its gates during the last week of 2024. The archaeological site in Chablekal, Mérida’s northernmost ejido, had been closed almost continuously since 2020 due to land disputes and pandemic restrictions. Today, it’s back in operation, although improvements to Dzibilchaltún’s infrastructure have yet to be completed. For starters, the site’s new…
X’catzmil is perhaps the most overlooked archaeological site in Mérida, in the community of Plan de Ayala, near the city’s southern boundary. The fact that X’catzmil is so overlooked is unfortunate since it is home to possibly the largest Prehispanic structure still surviving within Mérida’s city limits — excluding Dzibilchaltún in Chablekal. Reliable sources on…
Anyone with even the faintest interest in history or archaeology surely knows of Yucatán’s archaeological sites, such as Uxmal, Chichén Itzá, and maybe even some lesser-visited sites like Chacmultún, and Labná. But aside from archaeological sites, and even entirely unrestored or vaguely documented remains of Prehispanic cities and towns in the bush — archaeology in…
Image above displays an INAH restoration specialist at work at El Meco Archaeological site. Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine Over the past couple of weeks, hundreds of media outlets worldwide have reported on the discovery of the ancient Maya city nicknamed Valeriana in Mexico’s Campeche state. Several headlines, even from legacy…
Sitting atop a natural hill high above the banks above the confluence of the Macal and Mopan rivers lay the ruins of one of Belize’s most ancient and unique archaeological sites.
Mexico City is famous for its world-class museums, excellent cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. However, as anyone who has even skimmed the history of this megalopolis knows, its roots trace back further than any other city on its scale in North America. Well before there was Mexico City, also known as CDMX, there was the mighty…
INAH Yucatán Archaeologist Eunice Uc González knows about the scientific and social importance of the archaeological site known as Dzoyilá Granjas. Despite being on private property, the site is of historical and cultural importance, and efforts to protect it have involved both researchers and the local community. Eunice recounts that the first stage of work…
The ancient city of Altun Há was once one of the most important Mayan cities in Northern Belize. Today it’s among the most visited attractions in this tiny Central American country, especially by cruisegoers arriving at Belize city’s nearby port.
The Maya are renowned for many achievements, but arguably their most enduring legacy is the remains of their architectural feats. Most folks associate Maya architecture with temples and pyramids, but ballcourts, astronomical observatories and elite residential palaces are often just as impressive. When we throw around the term Maya architecture, we should be talking about…
The Yucatán Peninsula is home to hundreds of ancient pyramids, a testament to the ingenuity of the illustrious Mayan civilization. While these pyramids are impressive today, in their time, they would have appeared even more spectacular—covered in stucco and paint, often filled with interior chambers and topped with elaborate crest work. Maya pyramids are usually…
Xlapak has long been considered the “lesser” of all the Maya Puuc sites open to the public. Much of this has to do with the fact that for a long time, only a single restored structure was accessible to visitors. But thanks to recent improvements to the site’s infrastructure, new trails have been carved through…
Monte Alban was easily among the largest and most influential city-states during early Mesoamerican history. Established by the Zapotec civilization in the 5th century BCE, Monte Alban flourished for 1,500 years. Its eventual collapse coincides roughly with the fall of the great classic Maya city-states of the Petén, such as Tikal, over 800 miles away….
From the pyramids at Calakmul to the palace complexes in Uxmal or the ballcourt at Chichén Itzá — the grandeur of Maya archaeological sites — is lost on no one. But despite the awe these formidable examples of ancient architecture inspire, sometimes it’s essential to get close, zoom in, and appreciate the details. Some of the most…
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