Ek' Balam

Welcome, adventurous scholars, to the heart of the Yucatecan jungle. We have arrived at Ek' Balam, an archaeological site that offers a profoundly different experience than the crowded plazas of its famous neighbor, Chichen Itza. …

As we walk from the modern visitor center toward the ancient civic core, we cross through what remains of Ek' Balam's extraordinary defensive system. Look at the low, ruined stone mounds that trace a massive circle around the…

We have now entered the central plaza, and directly before us lie the parallel structures of the Mesoamerican Ball Court, or 'Pok-ta-Pok'. While smaller than the gargantuan court at Chichen Itza, the court at Ek' Balam is…

Turning slightly away from the Ball Court, we encounter one of the most architecturally unique structures at Ek' Balam: the Oval Palace. Look closely at its footprint and its tiered construction. …

We now face the undisputed titan of Ek' Balam: the massive structure simply known as the Acropolis. Prepare yourselves, for we are about to climb one of the largest and most voluminous buildings in the entire Yucatan Peninsula. …

Stop your ascent at the upper terrace, just below the final summit, and approach the protected area covered by a modern thatched roof. Here, you are about to witness one of the most spectacular archaeological discoveries made in…

Push through the final burning in your legs and ascend the last few steps to the absolute summit of the Acropolis. You have conquered the pyramid. …

As we carefully make our descent from the towering heights of the Acropolis and conclude our exploration of the civic center, our journey through Ek' Balam offers one final, crucial geographical footnote. Just a short walk or…