Chacchoben Maya City
Chacchobén · Chacchoobén · Lake Chacchoben site
Middle Preclassic–Postclassic Maya (700 BCE–1200 CE, flourished 300–900)·Maya (Sarteneja – southern Quintana Roo)·🇲🇽 Quintana Roo, Bacalar Municipality, Mexico
About
About Chacchoben Maya City
Middle Preclassic to Terminal Classic Maya town (700 BCE–1200 CE, major 300–900) in southern Quintana Roo jungles: 3 temple pyramids (Gran Basamento 7 m high 70 m long, Temple 24 with red-painted stucco façade, Temple 1 twin-mound), two plazas and early 350 BCE E-Group–type solar observatory predecessor, standing on low natural hill 18 m above lagoons. INAH 2002 (Hernández) excavations found preclassic spouted vessels and Terracotta figurines indicating Olmec-influenced colonization. Closest major Maya site to Costa Maya cruise port; often paired with Ichkabal program.
Why it mattersExposes Preclassic roots of southern Quintana Roo Maya; E-Group precursor south of Petén; stucco pigment chemistry unique.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Red stucco formula durability
- 02Connection to Ichkabal megacenter 15 km away
Theories
- 01Gateway colony linking Bacalar lagoon to interior Petén via scrape road
- 02Stucco artisan school serving Chetumal hinterland
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.700 BCE initial terraces, pyramids 300–600 CE
- Period
- Middle Preclassic–Postclassic Maya (700 BCE–1200 CE, flourished 300–900)
- Culture
- Maya (Sarteneja – southern Quintana Roo)
- Purpose
- Southern Quintana Roo administrative and stucco-craft center, lagoonal trade node
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.700 BCE initial terraces, pyramids 300–600 CE
Initial construction
c. 1217 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
19.0167° N · 88.1667° W · 22 m · 2 mapped features
Gran Basamento temple platform
pyramid70×35 m platform 7 m high with twin temples, red stucco
19.0170° N · 88.1664° WTemple 24 and E-Group plaza
templeEarly Preclassic observatory platform with 24 Temple atop, stucco masks
19.0163° N · 88.1670° W
Gallery