Calakmul

Welcome, intrepid explorers and scholars of the ancient world, to the magnificent ruins of Calakmul. Hidden deep within the largest protected tropical forest in Mexico, the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Campeche, this is not…

Our expedition begins in the Grand Plaza, the political and ceremonial epicenter of the city. As you stand in this vast clearing, you are surrounded by an astonishing concentration of history. …

Turn your attention to the colossal edifice dominating the plaza: Structure 2. This is the heart of Calakmul, one of the most massive pyramids ever constructed in the entire Maya world. …

While the summit of Structure 2 commands the sky, its true treasures were hidden deep within its stone bowels. Archaeologists have discovered an astonishing nine royal tombs concealed within the various substructures of this…

Descending from the Great Pyramid, we cross the plaza to Structure 7, a towering, steep-sided pyramid that stands as the silent witness to Calakmul's tragic downfall. The history of this city is inextricably linked to its bitter,…

Let us walk toward the architectural complex comprising Structures 4 and 6, known to archaeologists as an 'E-Group.' This specific arrangement of buildings is a hallmark of early Maya urban planning, functioning as a massive,…

Our final walk takes us away from the towering pyramids into the Acropolis, the labyrinthine residential and administrative heart of the elite class. Here, you will find the city's surprisingly small Mesoamerican ballcourt, a…

As our arduous journey through Calakmul comes to a close, we must recognize that while the Snake Kings have been dust for a millennium, the ancient city is far from dead. Nature has fiercely reclaimed its territory. …