The recent archaeological discovery in the Dzibanché Archaeological Zone, Quintana Roo (Mexico), has provided new insights into the grandeur of the Kaanu’l dynasty, one of the most influential in the ancient Mayan civilization.
Under the serpent emblem, known as “kaan” in the Mayan language, this powerful lineage ruled vast territories that today include parts of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, consolidating its hegemony during the Early Classic period.
This find, carried out by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) through the Archaeological Zones Improvement Program (Promeza), has led to the identification of stucco-modeled reliefs decorating the facades of two platforms.
The discovery has been hailed as a significant achievement in the research of this dynasty. The platforms are located in the western area of Ball Court II, an area that had already been explored in previous seasons, but whose architectural details are only now coming to light.
The reliefs, made with artistic precision that demonstrates the high level of Mayan civilization, depict scenes combining figures of guardians, ancestral celestial figures, and mythical animals, all elements that reinforce the importance of the serpent as a symbol of power and divine ancestry for the Kaanu’l dynasty.
One of the most fascinating scenes found shows two guardians watching over a pedestal, which likely housed a sculpture of a Kaanu’l ruler, according to the glyphs adorning the podium. On another platform, a depiction of ancestors appears to inhabit the night sky, surrounded by stars and serpents, suggesting a fusion of Mayan and Teotihuacan iconography.
This blend of cultural influences highlights the level of exchanges between different pre-Columbian civilizations. A third relief includes mythical animals associated with constellations, a recurring theme in Mayan cosmological beliefs.
The conservation of these relics has been a delicate process, as the stuccos retain traces of red, blue, yellow, and black pigments, requiring restorers to proceed with extreme caution. Humidity and exposure to the open air further complicate this work, which began in December 2023 and is expected to continue until late 2024. In this regard, the team of 98 people working at Dzibanché, consisting of archaeologists, restorers, architects, and other specialists, faces the challenge of deciding whether to leave the reliefs exposed to the public or to cover them again to ensure their preservation.
In addition to the archaeological work, photographs have been taken that could, in the future, be used to generate photogrammetric models. These models would not only facilitate the creation of replicas for exhibition but also allow experts to study the details of the reliefs without compromising their integrity. This approach demonstrates the commitment of INAH and Promeza to preserve Mexico’s cultural heritage while advancing its study.
The discovery of these reliefs in Ball Court II has surprised specialists, who did not expect to find such elaborate decorations in this particular area. However, as Sandra Balanzario Granados, director of Promeza in Dzibanché, explains, these findings underscore the importance this place held for the Kaanu’l dynasty. This dynasty not only left an impressive architectural legacy but also forged a bond between rulers and deities through the serpentine iconography that characterizes these reliefs.
The temporal context of the stucco reliefs coincides with the peak of Dzibanché between 500 and 600 A.D., when the city reached its height under Kaanu’l rule. Later, the dynasty split into two branches, one of which settled in Calakmul, another important Mayan city.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that, in addition to the reliefs, Promeza has enabled the restoration of other significant buildings in Dzibanché, such as the Temple of the Owl and the Temple of the Cormorants. This joint effort between archaeologists and restorers is bringing one of the most emblematic cities of Mayan culture back to life, helping to better understand the role of the Kaanu’l dynasty in Mesoamerican history.
- Share this article:
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Farnese Atlas, the First Known Representation of the Celestial Sphere
Atlas was one of the Titans in Greek mythology, son of Iapetus and the Oceanid Clymene, and brother of Prometheus. After the war against the Olympian gods, Zeus condemned him…
Orsippus of Megara, the First Athlete to Compete Naked in the Olympic Games
A quick glance at any artwork from Ancient Greece gives an idea of the almost religious importance of nudity, and if we interpret the images literally, how widespread its practice…
Sandby Borg, the Place where Archaeologists Found a Chilling Iron Age Scene Frozen in Time
The isolated island of Öland, off the southeastern coast of Sweden, holds within its windswept landscape the eroded remains of several fornborgs, circular stone fortifications built during the Iron Age.…
An Enigmatic Roman Altar Found in England Was Dedicated by a Soldier Stationed on the Danube, in a Legion That Was Never in Britain
A Roman altar dedicated to Mars, found in Marton, Lincolnshire, has revealed a fascinating connection to a soldier of the XI Claudia Legion of the Roman Empire. The altar, which…
Bybon, the Greek Athlete Who Lifted 143-Kilogram Stones with One Hand
Although his name doesn’t appear in epic tales or the legends of great heroes, a physical feat performed by an athlete in ancient Olympia has reached us thanks to an…
Mujahid al-Amiri, the Slavic ruler of the taifa of Denia who gathered the best Andalusian intellectuals of the 11th century
In the Christian part of the Iberian Peninsula, the 11th century saw the rise of the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, the birth of Portugal, the dominance of the county…
Spectacular Celtic Burial Chamber from the 6th Century BC Discovered in the Center of a 65-Meter-Diameter Burial Mound in Germany
In a remarkable archaeological discovery in the Danube Plain, near Riedlingen, Baden-Württemberg (Germany), an early Celtic burial chamber has come to light. This find is located at the center of…
Lucone di Polpenazze, the Bronze Age pile-dwelling settlement that was preserved because a fire caused it to collapse into the lake
Located in the Lombardy region, near the impressive Lake Garda, the archaeological site of Lucone di Polpenazze is a living testament to Prehistory in northern Italy. This place, a large…
Sacred tunic of Alexander the Great identified in one of the Macedonian tombs at Vergina in Greece
A recent discovery in Tomb II at Vergina, Macedonia, Greece, has revealed what appears to be the sacred “chiton” or tunic of Alexander the Great, a finding that could change…
A House from 8,000 Years Ago Found in Serbia Belonged to the First Sedentary Farmers of Europe
Did the first agricultural societies in Europe live nomadically, or were they (seasonally) sedentary? How did sedentarism spread between Anatolia and Europe, and how did the first sedentary people influence…
New findings during the extraction of a Phoenician shipwreck in Spain, the most complete ancient vessel found in the Mediterranean Sea
The much-anticipated start of the extraction of the Phoenician shipwreck located in Mazarrón, Murcia, named Mazarrón 2—currently the most complete ancient ship found in the Mediterranean—has begun with a series…
The Roman Wall of the “Castrum” of Autun in France, Discovered at 6 Meters Depth
As part of the renovation project of the Panopticon Museum in Autun (Saône-et-Loire, France), archaeologists from Archeodunum and the Archaeological Service of the city have joined forces to unearth two…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
