11-13-08 Ruins of Calakmul

Calakmul is the largest Classic period city. It reached its height in the Middle Classic (550-700) , a time when it built so many palaces. Calakmul was also a very important Preclassic center. Raised roads connected Calakmul with the giant Preclassic cities in northern Guatemala. The two massive pyramids in Calakmuls main plaza also date to this period.

The ride there approached epic, and put me over 1000 miles!

Calakmul is in the center of a biosphere and there are no hotels anywhere nearby. The campground is the closest place to stay, and that is 55km up the hilly road. Riding both ways and spending the whole day at the very large ruins was very exhausting. The road was very nice though. Many animals including many boars.

Structure 2 is one of the very largest constructions ever made by the Maya. The bulk of it dates to the Late Preclassic.

The base of structure 2.

The base of the main temple atop structure 2. A small section of the horizon is visible.

The base of structure 1, the second super tall pyramid. Calakmul is a modern name which in Maya means 'Two Hills'.

The interior of the Early Classic structure 3. The walls are built of huge well worked blocks, so well built even the wood is still in place after 1500 years.

Calakmul carved more stella than any other site, to date some 120 have been documented. The limestone in the region is very porous , which means it weathers very easily when exposed to the elements. This destroyed most carving, but some did survive. For the most part these preserved stella look like the one above. Its face is smooth because looters used a chainsaw to remove the carved surface.

A few still have glyphs on the sides.

Much work is going on here. Both research and a clear effort to make it an important tourist stop like Tikal.

Distance rode: 105km of hills

Total: 1649km