Tag: Archaeology
Dzibanché and the forging of the great snake dynasty
Recent research suggests that Dzibanché was one of the largest early Mayan cities in the entirety of Mesoamerica and may have been the first capital of the Kan, the first great Maya dynasty.
Xpujil, gateway to the Calakmul biosphere
Xpujil is an archaeological site in the south of the Mexican state of Campeche, within the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, and within the limits of the contemporary town of the same name.
New round of restoration for giant stucco masks at Kohunlich
A group of INAH archaeologists led by Patricia Meehan Hermanson has begun restoration work on Kohunlich’s famous giant stucco masks in Quintana Roo.
Balamkú, the great city of the sacred jaguar lords
Balamkú is an archaeological site in the south of the Mexican state of Campeche, within the Calakmul Biosphere, near the entrance to Calakmul national park.
Blocked from Chichén Itzá, new-age pilgrims congregate in Uxmal
Both Chichén Itzá and Dzibilchaltún were closed to the public during the fall equinox due to concerns over COVID-19 infections, as well as land disputes.
The great Kukulkán prepares for his descent, but no one will...
As was the case during the last spring equinox, Chichén Itzá closed for three days as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.
The small but beautiful ancient city of Chicanná
Chicanná gets its name from its most famous building, the House of the Serpent Mouth.
The grand ancient city of Becán — a microcosm of Maya...
Because of Becán’s longevity, in its history, we can see evidence of a microcosm of Mayan chronology packed into a single site.
The (almost) forgotten city of El Tabasqueño
Because El Tabasqueño is located in a fairly remote area that is jam-packed with archaeological sites, it is visited by only the most adamant lovers of Mayan archaeology.
A walk around Uxmal’s dazzling new sound and light show
Unlike the previous show, which seated attendees atop Uxmal’s Nunnery Quadrangle to view a light show from a stationary position, this new show is walkable and much more dynamic.
Hochob, the mysterious Maya city on the hill
Hochob was founded in the 3rd century CE, but it is likely that the area had already been settled by Maya farmers centuries before.
The ancient city of Dzibilnocac and its great towers
Dzibilnocac is a Mayan archaeological site on the outskirts of the Vicente Guerrero community in Hopelchén, Campeche.
New archaeological discovery sheds light on a centuries-old conflict
Archaeologists in Piste, Yucatán, have discovered the foundations of two structures dating to the Caste War.
A new way of looking at Yucatán’s famed Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá has gone from being thought of as simply one of many Mayan cities to nearly synonymous with Maya civilization itself.
Xelha, where fresh water springs life anew
Xelha is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization located on the coast of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The word Xelha comes...
Kantunil’s new tourist attraction — the ‘rabbit cenote’
With the new improvements, locals are hoping that visitors from surrounding communities and abroad begin to visit their town and cenote in larger numbers.
Xcaret, Mayan archaeology in a Disneyland setting
The tallest structure at the site is a step pyramid borrowing elements of Teotihuacan architecture.
Lingering land dispute leads to blockade at Dzibilchaltún
The archaeological site of Dzibilchaltún has been closed to tourists by protestors who argue that they have been cheated out of their land
El Meco, a hidden archaeological gem north of Cancún
El Meco is a Mayan archaeological site just 8 kilometers north of Cancún's downtown but feels worlds away from the craziness of the enormous resort city.
Video mapping brings new life to Uxmal’s light and sound show
Uxmal's new and improved light and sound show utilizes video mapping technology and intriguing narratives to bring the ancient city back to life.
Looters target Yucatán cenotes in hopes of finding ancient treasure
The sacking of archaeological has become a serious issue, especially in the sparsely populated south of Yucatán.
El Rey: Archaeology in the heart of Cancun’s hotel zone
When visiting El Rey, it is impossible not to notice the towering hotels of Cancun’s hotel zone visible just above the tree line.
Indigenous groups call for a stop to the Mayan Train and...
Indigenous leaders have suggested that the Mayan Train’s 170 billion peso budget be allocated to build hospitals and provide essential services for people living in poverty across the region.
The prosperous and beautiful Mayan city of Tulum
Tulum became an important trade hub for goods from across Mesoamerica, as it had easy access to well-established trade routes across both land and sea.
