Yaxnohcah
Yaxnohcah Mirador Basin · SE Campeche Yaxnohcah
Middle Preclassic to Late Classic 1000 BCE–950 CE, Mirador Basin fluorescence·Maya (Mirador Basin Preclassic)·🇬🇹 Petén, Flores Municipality (Mirador Basin SE edge), Guatemala
About
About Yaxnohcah
Huge Preclassic center on basin SE ridge 15 km N of Calakmul: massive E-Group (355 m platform) aligning equinox sunrise, Triadic Structure A 30 m pyramid, and Late Classic intrusive occupation after 600 CE. Mapped via LiDAR in Pacunam-Hansen Mirador Basin Project; ceramics show Basal Brakes Preclassic through Tepeu Late Classic. Entrepot between Mirador and Calakmul.
Why it mattersDemonstrates Mirador Basin Preclassic urbanism contemporaneous with Nakbe-El Mirador and Calakmul emergence; key E-Group horizon calendar.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01How Yaxnohcah E-Group maintained 355 m horizon line accuracy without stone horizon markers
- 02Why Late Classic reoccupation after Preclassic collapse 150 CE was selective
Theories
- 01Cradle of Lowland Maya E-Group astronomy before Mirador
- 02Basin gateway linking Calakmul corridor to interior Mirador after 150 CE hiatus
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.1000 BCE–950 CE (Preclassic to Late Classic; E-Group 1000 BCE)
- Period
- Middle Preclassic to Late Classic 1000 BCE–950 CE, Mirador Basin fluorescence
- Culture
- Maya (Mirador Basin Preclassic)
- Builders
- Maya
- Purpose
- Preclassic E-Group astronomical city with Triadic Groups on Mirador Basin SE ridge, contemporary with Nakbe-El Mirador megacities
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.1000 BCE–950 CE (Preclassic to Late Classic; E-Group 1000 BCE)
Initial construction
950 CE, Mirador Basin fluorescence
Major occupation / refurbishment
On the ground
Structures & features
18.2800° N · 89.7350° W · 285 m · 2 mapped features
E-Group platform and Triadic
pyramid355 m E-Group with Triadic Structure A 30 m pyramid
18.2810° N · 89.7340° WLate Classic intrusive palace
palaceTepeu palace atop Preclassic fill post-600 CE
18.2790° N · 89.7360° W