Chunchucmil was discovered by modern archaeologists and considered as one of the most perplexing among all the Mayan cities, as well as one of the most important as it gave us knowledge of the way their individual city-based empires connected and interfaced. It's not recognized by amazing structures, having very few pyramids, stelea, or huge ancient monuments of all kinds. It was not dominated by a renowned master. It was not even constructed in a very good area - somewhat the opposite, based on modern scientists. However this city, is a lot more than any other in the region as it illustrates as well as informs our understanding of the ancient Mesoamerica trade systems. During its peak, it was a distinctive as well as enormous business center, without dominance by any alliance group, however the meeting place and also melting pot for a wide array of influences and cultures from over the region - without whose continuous mutually beneficial exchanges and intermingling the Chunchucmil city would not have been able to live in any way.
An Unfriendly Site
Even with its clear importance, Chunchucmil was established on one of most inhospitable sites of the Yucatan Peninsula. The remains of the city sit on a thin strip of partially desert ground which has the driest environments among any Mayan lands. Within this area, the soil is sparse and very poor; measuring just a couple of inches at its deepest, almost half of the region is without any covering, resulting in the limestone substrate which lies beneath much of the Yucatan definitely open. It was initially named after a well, which means, "well at the base of the Chukum Tree", in literal sense. It is situated halfway between then shore and the inland Mayan city of Ixkintok and about 30 kilometres from the ocean, sitting at the north-western tip of the peninsula. The exact size of the city hasn't been specifically measured, yet was estimated to be 25 to 65 square kilometres. Notwithstanding being established in such an unwelcoming environment - and in many cases, in particular as a result of this fact - there is enough evidence that Chunchucmil was a massive trade route centre that spanned the distance between the Gulf of Mexico as well as the interior of the peninsula.
Assembled Structures
Chunchucmil's development reached its apex during the Mayan Classical Pyramid. Although it city was not known for its monuments, its layout was clearly defined and affords us a fascinating insight into the utilization of land. The majority of Chunchucmil was split up into "quadrangles", or rectangular grids where individual settlements were developed. Such quadrangles were joined with a network of stone-lined paths that branched outward from the center of the city, offering its framework that is akin to that of a honeycomb; these stone paths, when leaving the city, led to the outlying suburbs with larger roads connecting them, and ultimately to the long-distance roads that connected Chunchucmil along with its trading partners.
Such quadrangles came in two types which are identified by the types of buildings inside them. The so called "picj" quadrangle groups were dominated by pyramids, normally between 8 and 18 meters in height. Lying between the pyramid as well as the other buildings lining the edges of the rectangular plot was a massive courtyard, which would normally hold altars or ceremonial platforms; this group is in fact believed to be of religious significance. The residential groups, on the other hand, were surrounded by stone walls, and probably contained housing for Chunhucmil's population. These small building groups contained a small yard which is found its center. The clear boundaries between lots, as well as the small temple or shrine for household rituals which is represented at most such excavated plots, is not diverse in style to those located at several other Mesoamerican cities such as Teotihuacan, leaving further proof to the trade routes truly reached by Chunchucmil.
A Flourishing Economic Climate
Chunchucmil's existence is one of its major puzzles. How could such a city live, survive and grow enough food to support its citizens in such a dry and unforgiving environment with such poor prospects for agriculture? It was because of the fact that Chunchucmil was among the most booming marketplaces of Mesoamerica. Goods throughout the region traveled back and forth this city on the various roads which generally spiraled from its hub, driving a significant as well as diverse range of people and merchandise together within a immense marketplace. This furthermore goes a long way towards explaining having less any specific king, lineage, or religious dynasty enshrined on stele over the urban center, as was de rigour for some Mayan cities; it was a centre of many influence, where many different tribes, religions and cultures met and made trade, and commerce is significant than religion and politics.
A historical hint to such marvel arrives in the form of "prismatic blades", or sharp cutting tools disintegrated from bigger valuable stones such as obsidian, that are significantly found at Chunuchmil. We know these blades were not locally produced, from close examination and even if ample technology and resources existed to make them; as a matter of fact, they came from Guatemala which is more than thousand kilometers away! The amount of these blades hauled from the location - just enough that they can be regarded as disposable items for the hoi polloi of the city - provides a clear conclusion that the frequent long distance trade made them available and easily obtainable that the people of Chunchucmil thought nothing of getting such tools from the trading markets, just like we seldom rethink about the main geographical source of the processed or canned food we grab from the grocery store!
Wanting to visit and explore the cities of the ancient Mayans? Simply come to Chichen Itza.
An Unfriendly Site
Even with its clear importance, Chunchucmil was established on one of most inhospitable sites of the Yucatan Peninsula. The remains of the city sit on a thin strip of partially desert ground which has the driest environments among any Mayan lands. Within this area, the soil is sparse and very poor; measuring just a couple of inches at its deepest, almost half of the region is without any covering, resulting in the limestone substrate which lies beneath much of the Yucatan definitely open. It was initially named after a well, which means, "well at the base of the Chukum Tree", in literal sense. It is situated halfway between then shore and the inland Mayan city of Ixkintok and about 30 kilometres from the ocean, sitting at the north-western tip of the peninsula. The exact size of the city hasn't been specifically measured, yet was estimated to be 25 to 65 square kilometres. Notwithstanding being established in such an unwelcoming environment - and in many cases, in particular as a result of this fact - there is enough evidence that Chunchucmil was a massive trade route centre that spanned the distance between the Gulf of Mexico as well as the interior of the peninsula.
Assembled Structures
Chunchucmil's development reached its apex during the Mayan Classical Pyramid. Although it city was not known for its monuments, its layout was clearly defined and affords us a fascinating insight into the utilization of land. The majority of Chunchucmil was split up into "quadrangles", or rectangular grids where individual settlements were developed. Such quadrangles were joined with a network of stone-lined paths that branched outward from the center of the city, offering its framework that is akin to that of a honeycomb; these stone paths, when leaving the city, led to the outlying suburbs with larger roads connecting them, and ultimately to the long-distance roads that connected Chunchucmil along with its trading partners.
Such quadrangles came in two types which are identified by the types of buildings inside them. The so called "picj" quadrangle groups were dominated by pyramids, normally between 8 and 18 meters in height. Lying between the pyramid as well as the other buildings lining the edges of the rectangular plot was a massive courtyard, which would normally hold altars or ceremonial platforms; this group is in fact believed to be of religious significance. The residential groups, on the other hand, were surrounded by stone walls, and probably contained housing for Chunhucmil's population. These small building groups contained a small yard which is found its center. The clear boundaries between lots, as well as the small temple or shrine for household rituals which is represented at most such excavated plots, is not diverse in style to those located at several other Mesoamerican cities such as Teotihuacan, leaving further proof to the trade routes truly reached by Chunchucmil.
A Flourishing Economic Climate
Chunchucmil's existence is one of its major puzzles. How could such a city live, survive and grow enough food to support its citizens in such a dry and unforgiving environment with such poor prospects for agriculture? It was because of the fact that Chunchucmil was among the most booming marketplaces of Mesoamerica. Goods throughout the region traveled back and forth this city on the various roads which generally spiraled from its hub, driving a significant as well as diverse range of people and merchandise together within a immense marketplace. This furthermore goes a long way towards explaining having less any specific king, lineage, or religious dynasty enshrined on stele over the urban center, as was de rigour for some Mayan cities; it was a centre of many influence, where many different tribes, religions and cultures met and made trade, and commerce is significant than religion and politics.
A historical hint to such marvel arrives in the form of "prismatic blades", or sharp cutting tools disintegrated from bigger valuable stones such as obsidian, that are significantly found at Chunuchmil. We know these blades were not locally produced, from close examination and even if ample technology and resources existed to make them; as a matter of fact, they came from Guatemala which is more than thousand kilometers away! The amount of these blades hauled from the location - just enough that they can be regarded as disposable items for the hoi polloi of the city - provides a clear conclusion that the frequent long distance trade made them available and easily obtainable that the people of Chunchucmil thought nothing of getting such tools from the trading markets, just like we seldom rethink about the main geographical source of the processed or canned food we grab from the grocery store!
Wanting to visit and explore the cities of the ancient Mayans? Simply come to Chichen Itza.
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