Calakmul
Ox Te' Tuun
Mexico · Campeche
In brief
Calakmul is a large Maya city that was one of the important centers of the Kaan dynasty. Its inscriptions and excavated buildings shed light on its rivalry with Tikal and its regional political relations.
What was found?
- 1Hieroglyphic stelae
These stone monuments are carved with reliefs and inscriptions. They also provide information about the region's political history and territorial organization that is unavailable in other sources.
- 2Mural inside Structure II
The charcoal-drawn scene was found in a vaulted space resembling the interior of a cave. According to researchers, it depicts the mythological hero Juun Ajaw hunting a creature in water.
- 3Calendar sign in the mural
Reexamination of the painting identified a day sign belonging to the 260-day calendar cycle. This identification provides evidence of early written communication at Calakmul.
- 4Stucco frieze and masks
The frieze on the façade of Substructure II C features gods descending from the sky, while the masks below bear depictions associated with the birth of the maize god. According to researchers, the decorations may have provided a visual setting for ceremonies.
What does it point to?
Calakmul's monuments reveal political organization, while its early decorations show the connection of calendar and creation narratives with architecture. Researchers propose a date range of 400–200 BC for the mural and note that new samples need to be examined for more precise dates.
What did it teach us?
- Stela inscriptions contributed to reconstructing Maya political geography and regional relationships.
- The calendar sign added Calakmul to the centers with evidence of early writing in the Late Preclassic period.
- Reanalysis of the mural showed that finds from earlier excavations can yield different information through new imaging methods.
Images
Latest news / selected archive
In 2026, it was announced that examination of a mural from Structure II had identified an early calendar sign that could be dated to 400–200 BC.
Record
- Culture
- Maya
- Team / historical
- INAH; interdisciplinary research project coordinated by Daniel Salazar Lama
- Coordinates
- 18.1062°, -89.8105°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Tikal 100 km
- Palenque 247 km
- Ancient City of Uxmal 251 km
- Chichen Itza 315 km
- Copan 370 km
- Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site 478 km
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- —
- 12.000
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