Mayan Archeology

Background

The Mayan Empire was one of the largest and most popular civilizations in Mesoamerica. Located within Yucatán peninsula lands that now belong to modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras, the empire formed around the year 2600 B.C. The empire's peak population may have been somewhere between 2 and 10 million people, but the empire would decline and collapse by 900 A.D. and the last Mayan city would fall into Spanish control by the 16th century. Although the empire has ended, there are still descendants of the ancient Maya that still live in the Yucatán peninsula, along with the many breathtaking ruins of the empire that attract tourists from all over the world.

Chichen Itza

Probably the most popular of all Mayan ruins, Chichen Itza is a 75-foot pyramid located in the Yucatán state of Mexico. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and also considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world. It was used by locals as a site to hold ritual human sacrifices, as well as to study astronomy.

Tulum

The El Castillo pyramid is contained within the walled city of Tulum. Turquoise, jade, cotton, food, copper bells, axes, and chocolate were all commonly traded in the city for over 500 years and was extremely valuable to the Maya. The pyramid is the tallest building in the city and stands looking over the ocean.

Palenque

The ruins of Palenque are also classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. The ruins are unique in that they contain hieroglyphic inscriptions of the Ancient Maya, leading this place to also be known as the "Temple of Inscriptions" It is also the resting place of Pakal, the former king whom ruled the city for 68 years.

Coba

Coba is covers about 80 squared kilometers and is site to now of the larges Maya excavations. It is also one of the hardest ruins to visit since it is surrounded by dense jungle. Although once a bustling Mayan city, it was abandoned and collapsed due to the arrival of the spaniards.

Citations

Karsten, A. M. (2021, April 5). 15 best mayan ruins in Mexico (archeological sites & pyramids). Expert Vagabond. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://expertvagabond.com/mayan-ruins-mexico/. 

Team, O. T. G. (2019, April 17). 10 interesting facts about chichen itza. On The Go Tours Blog. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.onthegotours.com/blog/2017/05/10-interesting-facts-about-chichen-itza/. 

Tulum ruins - tulum. Tulum Ruins - Tulum | Loco Gringo. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.locogringo.com/things-to-do/mayan-ruins/tulum-ruins-tulum. 

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Palenque. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Palenque-ancient-city-Mexico.