Tag Archives: archaeology

Palenque National Park, Mexico

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Commonly refered to as the palace, this structure was actually a residential and administrative complex.

Commonly refered to as the palace, this structure was actually a watchtower,  residential and administrative complex combined into one.

Palenque is not only an archeological site but a world heritage site and national park as well. There are approximately 65,000 species of flora and fauna within the park that can be seen by hiking the jungle trails surrounding the ruins. In addition, there is an orchid nursery, waterfalls,  and creeks where visitors can swim if desired.. Excavation and renovation of the ruins  began over 100 years ago and continues today as only a small portion of the original cities estimated 1400 buildings have been excavated. Never the less, Palenque was inscribed as a world heritage site in 1987 because its “residential areas, buildings with political and administrative functions, as well as those whose function was ritual are conserved in their original setting, turning the site with its exceptional artistic and architectural features into a living museum.” Of all the Maya archeological sites, this is arguably the most impressive.

The stairway of the building leads to sanctuary that contains a series of stone panels carved with hieroglyphic inscriptions related to Palenque’s history
This temple is named after Count Jean Waldeck of France who stayed here sometime in the 18th century and published many examples of maya and aztec sculptures.
Found in the complex of the cross and triad of Palenque
Some are considered to be sacred while the red bark of others is used for medicinal purposes.

Coba, Maya Riviera

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The Great Pyramid

The archaeological site of Coba  exists in a world that has changed very little in the past 1000 years or more. So, it is still surrounded by a natural environment  of jungle vegetation,  tropical hardwoods, lagoons, vines, and  wildlife as far as the eye can see. Although the cities origins date back to the year 600 A.D. it was abandoned after the Spanish conquered the Yucatan Peninsula around 1550. Evidently, Coba was located in such a remote area in those days that the Spanish never found the city which remained hidden in the jungle until 1842 when it was rediscovered by explorers.

Coba is an expansive site which is believed  to contain apporximately 6500 structures  that once supported an estimated 45,000 people. At this time, however,  only a small portion of Coba has been cleared from the jungle and restored by  archaeologists. This part consist of 6 separate areas called the Coba Group, the Nohoch Mul Group, the Pinturas Group, the Chumuc Group, the Macanxoc Group and the Uitzil Mul Group which are all connected by a system of dirt roads built over a 1000 years ago. To see the ruins in these different areas you can either walk, rent a bike or a chofer driven tricycle. If your visiting Coba in the  summer months it would be best to rent a bike or chofer driven tricycle and save your energy for climbing the Nohoch Mul pyramid, tallest in the Yucatan peninsula at 138 feet. Images of  this pyramid and some of Coba’s other attractions along with additional information can be found in the  photo gallery below.

This tower is located at the entrance to Coba’s ruins and has a zip over the lagoon
Found at the park’s entrance, this gallery has a unique roof garden
one of several shops around the entrance of Coba
across from the observation tower and park entrance
Located in the Coba group of structures, it is 24 meters high and is the place where rituals were carried out
a jungle canopy covers coba’s roads which were built over a 1000 years ago. here 2 visitors are exploring the ruins on rented bikes
chofer driven tricycles are a good way to get around Coba’s ruins
One of the more well perserved structures found just before arriving at the refreshment stand
just across from the Nohock Mul Pyramid, sells cold beverages and snacks which you will appreciate after climbing 138 feet in the heat
a view up the stairs from the base, there is a rope in the center for assistance when needed
a view of the surrounding environment from the top of Nohoch Pyramid
guest riding the zip line from the observation tower over the coba lagoon

Playa Del Carmen Highlights, Xcaret Park

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This inlet leads to the carribean or the restaurant in the background

This inlet leads snorkelers and swimmers to the carribean or the restaurant in the background

Xcaret Park was created to promote nature and mexican cultural heritage. To that end, part of the admission price is donated to developing programs for the preservation of wild flora and fauna. There are quite a variety of  leisure and recreational activities in the park but all are related to this objective. In general, the main attractions include underground rivers, natural  pools and inlets for snorkeling, exhibitions which include archeological zones, re-creations of ancient mayan cities along with mayan ceremonies, flora and fauna found on interpretative jungle trails, orchid and bromelaid museums,  a butterfly pavilion,  natural habitats for jaguars, puma’s and monkeys, aquariums, bee farms and deer shelters. The latest in their long list of natural attractions is the Sea Trek underwater adventure that offers a new technology  for diving underwater without extensive training and cumbersome gear. All you need is their  new hi-tech diving helmet that keeps water out while air is pumped in from a boat that hovers above the dive site. So, it is now possible for almost everyone  to experience the coral reefs and tropical fish for which the Carribean is famous. Ladies will find this new helmet especially appealing because the helmet keeps  hair dry and prevents make-up from washing off.

This organ grinder walks around the park and plays traditional mexican folk music
Bromeliads like these are found in the musuem and on interpretive jungle trails
another exhibition of ancient ceremonies which involves bird men that descend from the top of this pole by doing circles in the air to honor the sun god.
this is one of several performances that involve ancient maya rituals and customs
here’s where you jump in and let the current move you through the waters
spider monkey island is a natural habitat for a family of these amusing primates
one of may butterflies within this pavilion
a monarch butterfly sculpture along the trail through this pavilion
cat prowling through the parks jaguar island
inside the maya archeological zone
a natural pool for sun tanning, relaxing and bathing
the opening of a horse exhibition within the grounds of a typical 19th century hacienda compound.
Xcaret inlet meets the carribean
snorkelers at the end of a one way underground river

Cancun Highlights, Pt 2

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El ReyIn this second post with more Cancun highlights, there are photos of the El Rey archeological site, the new Maya museum, the Forum Mall, and the Fiesta Americana Luxury Hotel which are all located within the hotel zone.  The above photo shows the remains of an ancient observatory at the El Rey site which dates back to 1200 a.d. The architectural style found here is similar to that of other structures built in the southeastern region of mexico during the time period from 1200 a.d. to 1500 a.d. San Miguelito, another archeological site in the Cancun Hotel Zone, can be found within the grounds of the newmuseo maya Maya museum which opened last December. Inside the museum there is a lot of  information about Mayan history along with exhibits and artifacts. The archeological site at this location features an interpretative trial through Maya ruins that are surrounded by a jungle ecosystem much like the one that existed when these structures were built.

Other photos featured in this post include the Fiesta Americana Resort and the Forum Mall both found in the heart of the hotel zone. The Fiesta is a family resort that has won the Fiesta Americanapresitigous 5 diamond award numerous times and is considered to be located on the finest stretch of private beach in Cancun, It also features a 40,000 square foot spa and an awesome swimming pool that spans the length of the 602 room hotel. Only a short walk from here  brings us to the Forum Mall which offers a unique blend of retail shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. The anchor tenants here are not walmart or costco, however, but super clubs such as the Hard Rock Cafe and Coco Bongo which ranks as one of trip advisor’s top attractions in Cancun.Hard Rock Cafe

Canada de la Virgin, Archaeological Site

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Located about 18 miles from San Miguel de Allende is the archaeological site of Canada de la Virgin. It represents an important part of pre-hispanic mexican culture where many historical relics have been found.  There are 7 pyramid structures of different sizes and styles that were built around 540 A.D.  by Toltec and Chichimeca architects.  According to experts,  the site was designed and configured in such a way  that all structures would  be symmetrically aligned with cosmic cycles. Hence, this pattern of construction allowed the pyramids to serve as sky observatories among other things. In addition,  Canada de la Vrigin is also part of a nature preserve offering a variety of recreational activities such as camping, hiking, horseback riding and astronomy tours,  as well as  a venue for special events.pyramid 2