Ichkabal is a large ancient Maya city located in the jungle of Quintana Roo in Mexico dating from the Middle Preclassic period of the Maya civilization around 400 BC, it developed as a monumental city until the Postclassic period.[1]
 Ichkabal pyramid | |
  Shown within Mexico  Ichkabal (Quintana Roo) | |
| Location |  Mexico |
|---|---|
| Region | Quintana Roo |
| Type | Ancient Maya city |
| Area | 60 km |
| History | |
| Founded | 400 BC |
| Abandoned | c. 1500 AD |
| Periods | Preclassic - Classic - Postclassic |
| Cultures | Maya civilization |
| Site notes | |
| Discovered | 1995 |
Location
editIchkabal is located near Lake Bacalar inside the tropical jungle of Quintana Roo in Mexico and near other Maya sites like Dzibanche, Kohunlich, Pol Box, Dzibantunich among others.[2]
Archaeology
editIchkabal is an extensive site conformed by six main architectural groups covering about 60 km with monumental buildings and pyramids over 40 to 46 meter tall that are visible above the jungle canopy., the main plaza has an extension of 300 meters, is considered one of the biggest sites from the Maya Lowlands. The site was connected to the city of Dzibanche by a large sacbe of over 40 km long.[3]
History
editIchakbal settlement started in the Middle Preclassic period of Mesoamerica, around the year 400 BC. During the Classic period, Ichkabal was related with the Kaan dynasty of Dzibanche, a major power of the Maya region. According to archaeological research the site was populated until the late Postclassic period around the year 1500, few years before the beginning of the Spanish conquest of Mexico.[4]
Ichkabal remained hidden deep in the jungle of Quintana Roo until it was discovered by archaeologists in 1995.
References
edit- ^ "Avanza la puesta en valor de la Zona Arqueológica de Ichkabal, en Quintana Roo". Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia.
- ^ "Ichkabal: así es la antigua ciudad maya vecina de Bacalar que abrirá al público como zona arqueológica".
- ^ "Supervisan labores para la puesta en valor de la Zona Arqueológica de Ichkabal, Quintana Roo". Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia.
- ^ "Ichkabal: la poderosa ciudad maya que abrirá como zona arqueológica cerca de Bacalar". Muy Interesante.