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| Cahal bad luck | ||
| District | Cayo District | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 138 m | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Cahal bad luck is a ruin site of the Mayan culture on the southern outskirts of San Ignacio im Cayo District in Belize.
background
Cahal Pech is on a hill with San Ignacio (Belize) and translated from Mayan means "place of the ticks". This place was given this name in 1950 by Linton Satterthwaite, the first archaeologist to research the place. The original name of the city is unknown.
history
The first traces of settlement could be found in 1200 BC. BC and thus Cahal Pech is the oldest settlement in this region. Large platforms were already being built at this time, and finds made it possible to detect trade with regions in Guatemala, Yucatan and the Caribbean coast. In the late pre-classical period (around Chr. Birth) Cahal Pech was one of the most developed Mayan cities of all. On a stele from this time you can find one of the oldest lettering in the Maya world that has been found so far. Until the end of the classical period, the city grew steadily until the 8th century. AD recorded up to 20,000 inhabitants. Nevertheless, the city was in the 9th century. abandoned AD.
In 1950 and 1953, the facility was superficially examined and mapped for the first time. The first more detailed investigations and excavations took place in 1969, during which a king's burial chamber in structure B1 from the 7th century. AD came to light with numerous grave goods. In the period between 1970 and 1980 there were numerous looting by grave robbers, which could only be stopped through a systematic excavation, investigation and reconstruction of the city. Today the city is one of the best exposed and reconstructed cities in all of Belize.
landscape
Cahal Pech is on a hill with San Ignacio (Belize) from which you have a wonderful view over the city.
getting there
Of San Ignacio (Belize) the city can be reached within 20 minutes.
Alternatively, a taxi can take you there for a few dollars.
Fees / permits
Entry costs 10 Bz $
Tourist Attractions
In the center of Cahal Pech, 34 structures have so far been located at 7 plazas.
- Plaza A. This hard-to-reach plaza was reserved for the elite for use. This is flanked in the south by structure A1, which is also the highest temple complex with a height of around 23 meters.
- Plaza B. The site is usually entered via Plaza B. This largest plaza in Cahal Pech was probably used as a public marketplace. The structures B1 to B3 flanking in the east represent burial sites of the ruling elite. In structure B4 in the south, excavations revealed the remains of a building from 1200 BC. Structure A2 in the west represents an important administrative complex and is usually also referred to as "Audencia".
- Plaza C. Located in the eastern part of the city and includes the eastern ball court.
- Plaza D. Located south of Plaza A and most likely served the same purpose as Plaza A.
- Plaza E. Located south of Plaza A and most likely served the same purpose as Plaza A.
- Plaza F. Located south of Plaza B.
- Plaza G. Located south of Plaza B.
Numerous finds from the various excavations are shown in the Visitor Center. Furthermore, there is information about the gradual development of the city via video and information boards.
to buy
In a gift shop you can stock up on souvenirs as well as drinks and snacks.
