CALAKMUL ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE

HOW TO GET THERE

Campeche is located on the southwestern end of the Yucatan Peninsula. It
borders north with the State of Yucatan , south with Tabasco and the
Republic of Guatemala Republic, and east with Belize and Quintana Roo; to
the west is the Gulf of Mexico. You can arrive to Campeche by air in one
hour and twenty- five minutes flying from Mexico City and by land,
traveling 1,306 kms. from Mexico City as well. To get to the archaeological
zone of Calakmul from the city of Campeche , which is 360 kilometers away ,
you have to take federal highway 180 to Champoton, or the expressway which
provides both safety and saves time. Once you have passed Champoton you
should take federal highway 261 to Escarcega, then highway 186 which goes
to Chetumal, Quintana Roo. At Conhuas, on kilometer 70, still highway186,
take the detour that will take you to Calakmul.At only 35 kilometers from
Guatemala is the ecological area known as "Reserva de la Biosfera de
Calakmul" (Calakmul Biosphere Reserve).

BACKGROUND

Calakmul, which means "two adjacent mounds", is probably the biggest
archaeological area in Mesoamerica. It was a great metropolis during the
Post-Classic period and was inhabited by 200 thousand people or more. In
the Preclassic period, Calakmul reached great importance as the regional
capital of South Peten. Its great glory was reached between 500 and 850
A.D., reviving in the year 900 A.D. Calakmul started to perish in the XV
century.

DESCRIPTION

This archaeological area was discovered in 1930 and the investigations of
this place started in 1982. It has an extension of 70 kilometers or more.
It was built on a swampy surface; the archaeological site is surrounded by
fresh water lakes which existed during the latter Classic period. 22 km2 of
Calakmul's downtown area are surrounded by a waterway and a stream that
were used as the drainage system of the city. Only the central area of the
whole city has 7000 buildings and cultural features, including city walls,
chultunes (cavidities in rocks on the earth's surface used to accumulate
rain water) and some of these buildings have approximately 50 meters in
height and one of them has a base that covers almost two hectares. Most
buildings have a similar size and a basic shape such as the Moon temple in
Teotihuacan. During the excavations some tombs were founds in buildings of
great value dye to the abundance of objects as ceramic material, glasses,
pots, monochrome and polychrome glasses, obsidian, objects made out of
shells, and jade pieces among whch you can find masks of an exceptional
beauty, made with small pieces of trim jade. In this place in 1995 a
mummified body was discovered, the first one in Mesoamerica, approximately
1,200 years old. It was found inside of a tomb of structure number 15 of
Calakmul; it seems to be a Mayan governor. Also more than 120 steles
(monoliths with glyphs and inscriptions) have been found in the 13
pyramidal constructions discovered until 1995, more than in any other Mayan
city. This archaeoleogical area, located, in the Reserva de la Biosfera de
Calakmul , is surrounded by medium and high forests. The region's weather
has the highest humidity of all the forest being warm subhumid. The
altitude is 250.51 meters above sea level. The great variety of wild flora
and fauna enrich the area making it an important emporium of archaeology,
culture, investigation and ecotourism.

ACTIVITIES

Once in the archaeological zone, you can travel through the the pyramidal
bases. You can ask for a tourist guide in the area or before you leave the
city of Campeche. Also you can carru out several recreational activities
and take pictures. To be able to camp and stay overnight at Calakmul, a
permission must be obtained from the National Institute of Anthropology and
History located in the City of Campeche.

RECOMMENDATIONS

We recommend you wear walking shoes, comfortable clothes and take the
adequate equipment because repelents and insecticides are not allowed nor
may you being food. You may bring water and its recommended not to have
plastic containers. An enormous effort is taking place to save this
important heritage of mankind. Do not litter and do not harm the animals.

Arq. Ramon Carasco is in charge of work at Calakmul and can be reached at
INAH Merida.