Yaxchilan Lintel 26 Temple 23
Yaxchilan Lintel 26 Temple 23 North Annex · Yaxchilan Site
Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE) or regional equivalent·Old Kingdom·🇲🇽 Chiapas, Yaxchilan, Mexico
About
About Yaxchilan Lintel 26 Temple 23
Yaxchilan Lintel 26 Temple 23 in Chiapas, Yaxchilan, Mexico is a Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE) or regional equivalent pyramid attributed to Old Kingdom. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal base 95 × 95 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 16.9000N -90.9670E controls access to Chiapas resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey pyramid for Chiapas, Yaxchilan, illustrating Old Kingdom construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction logistics and labour organisation
- 02Astronomical orientation method
Theories
- 01Royal tomb with cult temple axis
- 02Experimental step before true pyramid
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. 2600–2500 BCE
- Period
- Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE) or regional equivalent
- Culture
- Old Kingdom
- Purpose
- Royal tomb and ceremonial platform embodying cosmology
- Rediscovered
- 1990 survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2600–2500 BCE
Initial construction of Yaxchilan Lintel 26 Temple 23 main structure
c. 1930
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1990–2005
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Yaxchilan Lintel 26 Temple 23) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
16.9000° N · 90.9670° W · 290 m · 4 mapped features
- Yaxchilan Lintel 26 Temple 23 — Main StructurestructurePrincipal pyramid — Base 95 × 95 m with diagnostic masonry/panel16.9008° N · 90.9661° W
- Yaxchilan Lintel 26 Temple 23 — Ancillary ComplexcomplexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature16.8990° N · 90.9677° W
- Yaxchilan Lintel 26 Temple 23 — Peripheral FeatureoutlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial16.9015° N · 90.9658° W
- Yaxchilan Lintel 26 Temple 23 — Hydraulic/CisternhydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site16.8984° N · 90.9681° W
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