Xcambo
Xcambó Archaeological Zone · Xtampú Port · Isla Xcambó
Early Classic·Maya (North-coastal)·🇲🇽 Yucatán, Telchac Puerto, Mexico
About
About Xcambo
Classic Maya coastal-mangrove port and salt-production center (c.250–750 CE, peak 350–550) on a mangrove island 2 km inland of Gulf shore, with 700×150 m raised natural mound artificially expanded to plaza pyramid 7 m high, chapel atoll structures, and 800 m causeway to mainland. Excavated by Thelma Sierra Sosa 1996–; produced salt-workshop ceramic, Chac Mool-like figures, and human remains showing coastal mobility isotopic evidence as Gulf salt entrepôt feeding inland Chunchucmil and Dzibilchaltun. Chultun and petroglyph evidence.
Why it mattersPrimary Gulf salt production port for Classic northwest Yucatán; evidences Maya coast–inland salt commerce isotope mobility.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Island raising engineering over mangrove peat stability
- 02Extent of Maya coastal craft salt route to Teotihuacan
Theories
- 01Xcambó–Chunchucmil–Issamal salt commodity chain controlled northwest Yucatán Classic economy
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.250–750 CE
- Period
- Early Classic
- Culture
- Maya (North-coastal)
- Builders
- Maya (Xcambó coastal polity)
- Purpose
- Salt-pan processing, coastal trade port and island pyramid ceremonial node
- Abandoned
- c.750 CE
- Rediscovered
- 1996 Sosa INAH coastal survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
On the ground
Structures & features
21.3157° N · 89.3443° W · 2 m · 2 mapped features
Island pyramid plaza
pyramid7 m high pyramid on raised mangrove island plaza, chapel central
21.3160° N · 89.3440° WMainland causeway
earthwork800 m sacbé causeway from island to mainland salt flats and mounds
21.3120° N · 89.3445° W
Gallery