Discovery in Yucatan Archaeological Zone Reveals Secrets About Mayan Elite

The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) announced that they had been found nine rooms in the archaeological zone of Ek’ Balam, located in Temozon, Yucatan. The discovery revealed secrets about the Mayan elite.

On March 1, the agency reported progress in the analysis of archaeological remains. He pointed out that among the elements that provided the most information were the facades with stucco decorations.

These decorations retain illustrations that represent figures of captors and captives from antiquity. So far, four have been identified. hostages with arms tied

Regarding the elite members represented on the facades, INAH revealed that they appear holding prisoners’ hair. Leticia Vargas de la Peña, director of the Ek ‘Balam archaeological project, pointed out that with this position they “reinforce their position of power by being represented standing and with a larger size”.

During the investigation, clues were found to the identity of the people who appear in the depictions. because of the clothes the assumption is that they are women.

“Although the kidnappers carry skirts decorated with crossbonesresearchers from the INAH Yucatán Center specify that, since the upper parts of the stuccoes are missing – which have collapsed over the centuries – they may be women,” INAH said in a statement.

However, also could be hierarchs or priestswho also used this type of clothing.

The decorated facades date from the Late Classic period (770-896 AD), specifically from the time when Ukit Kan Lek Tok’ reigned in the Mayan city of Ek’ Balam, capital of the Kingdom of Talol. They were located in the elevated eastern plaza of the acropolis.

Ukit Kan Lek Tok’ ascended the throne in the year 770 and launched a acropolis construction and decoration boom, that is to say the royal palace, at Ek’ Balam. Mainly sculptures and paintings were placed.

In addition, the ruler manufactured vessels and luxury items, according to information compiled by the specialized magazine Arqueología Mexicana.

The most recent discovery of decorated facades has shed light on the relationship of the elite with their subordinates. It was carried out within the framework of the Program for the Improvement of Archaeological Areas (Promeza), linked to the construction project of the Mayan trend.

As part of Promeza, INAH is also working on the recovery of six archaeological sites in Quintana Roo: Oxtankah, Chacchoben, Kohunlich, Dzibanché-Kinichná, Ichkabal and El Meco. Operations began on February 6.

These archaeological areas will be accessible by the Maya Train, with which a tourist boom is expected. And it is that among the attractions of these areas is El Castillo de El Meco, which has a privileged view of Cancun.

Also worth noting is Dzibanché-Kinichná, a complex located in the middle of the jungle or Kohunlich with the Temple of the Masks which preserves 8 characters dressed in iconography linked to the Sun.

It will also open to the public Ichkabal, an imposing Mayan city that remained isolated for several centuries, which is located very close to the Laguna de los Siete Colores in Bacalar.

On the other hand, on the occasion of the upcoming inauguration of the Maya Train, INAH also announced the opening of a new section of Palenque. In total, the public will be able to access five structures in the area called Group IV.

It has 270 structures that are a sample of the architecture of the residential complexes of Palenque in pre-Hispanic times. It has been determined that ChakSuutz’, a nobleman, lived in this region, between 721 and 736 AD.

In addition to this, ceramic shards and bones of animals, such as turtles and deer, have been found there. In addition to the discovery of human burials.