12 OCT 2017
Maya site of Ek Balam, is a striking sight after hiking miles through the surrounding jungle. Ek Balam, which means black jaguar, was at the height of its importance as a city during the Late Classic period (600-900 AD). The actual decline began around 1200, but Ek Balam was still inhabited until the 16th century. The largest building in Ek Balam is the towering “Acropolis” on the north square.
When the Mayas abandoned the site, it went under the dense low-lying jungle of Yucatan engulfed in soil and mud. As with all of the Maya pyramids, were discovered when archaeologists and adventurers saw a group of hills with trees and wild vegetation growing out of them. Digging in the mounds, they uncovered treasures of buildings and artifacts hidden for hundreds of years.
At Ek Balam, restoration has been ongoing since 1997. The Acropolis is the largest restored building, measuring 480 feet across, 180 feet wide and 96 feet tall. This palace has six levels where the governors and higher professionals of the society and city’s population lived. Archaeologists believe it was not built all at once. We can climb this imposing structure, and from the top we can see all the other structures at Ek Balam, as well as two large hills which are two unrestored buildings. The entrance to the Acropolis pyramid there is a monster-like figure that is said to be guarding the entrance to the underworld. The thatched roofs that protect the facade, other statues and carvings of angels, animals and various figures integrated in a complex are very beautiful design.
