Uncovered History

20/12/2016

The archaeological ruins of Chicanna may be small in comparison to magnificent cities such as Palenque and Chichen Itza, but there is something enchanting and mystical about Chicanna that makes it well worth visiting. The monster Mouth temple, known as Structure II must surely rank amongst the top wonder of the ancient world. The architecture, artistry and craftsmanship is beyond that found in many ancient cities. Which raises an odd conundrum, how did the small settlement of Chicanna come to have the ability or desire to construct such flamboyant buildings?

The ancient settlement of Chicanna lies ruined at the heart of the Mayan Lowlands. No one is sure how or why such a diminutive settlement came to build such spectacular buildings, but Structure II is a true wonder of the ancient world. It's fearsome monster mouth doorway is covered in artistic symbo...

05/12/2016

Chicanna's location in the shadows of Becan make it hard to explain how and why there are several fine buildings clustered here, 2km from the city centre. With not much archaeological research to work with, it is hard to come up with a definitive answer. Yet, the flamboyant buildings of Chicanna seem to speak. Their distinctive styles and wondrous carvings were designed to broadcast a message. As we get closer to deciphering those messages, the history and function of Chicanna is steadily being revealed.

The history of Chicanna follows a strange route. For most of its history it was a simple and small community, but in the Late Classic Era it built several incredibly ornate structures worthy of a city. The leaves two questions, who built Chicanna and why?,

01/10/2016

Chicanna Structure XI and Chicanna Structure X stand side by side less than 100m south east of Group A. Structure XI and Structure X are very different and date to different eras, but they sit together quite harmoniously in a complex known as Group C. At the entrance to Group C there is an information board for Structure XI, but it is Structure X that sits is directly behind it (fig. [ 1,721 more word ]

http://uncoveredhistory.com/mexico/chicanna/chicanna-structure-x-and-xi/

Chicanna Structure X and Structure XI are neighbours in Group C, but were built at very different times and reflect the change in society. Structure XI appears to be the stately building of a pre-classic nobleman, whilst Structure X is a typical late-classic Rio Bec building built purely for the god...

30/09/2016

http://uncoveredhistory.com/mexico/chicanna/chicanna-structure-xx/

The magnificent Chicanna Structure XX a covered in strange carved beings and this typically grabs the attention of onlookers. However, it is the room plan and architectural design that provides an insight into the purpose of this ancient Mayan temple. In this article, we take a thorough look at the…

16/07/2016

Chicanna Structure II is without doubt one of the most striking Mayan temples ever uncovered. Built in the early Chintok ceramic phase, Structure II has been accurately dated between 750AD and 770AD. With its ornate Monster Mouth façade, Chicanna Structure II is certainly a striking example of the sophistication and artistic flair of the Late Classic Maya. [ 3803 more words. ]

http://uncoveredhistory.com/mexico/chicanna/chicanna-structure-ii-monster-temple/

Chicanna Structure II is one of the most fantastical structures ever built by Mayan hands. The façade surrounding the central doorway is a testament to the Mayan's skill, craftsmanship and imagination. It represents the gaping jaws of a reptilian beast and was masterfully constructed using a mosaic…

15/07/2016

Chicanna Structure VI is located 150m to the south east of the main ceremonial centre. Chicanna Structure VI is the principle structure of Group B and is made up of three sections. Only the central section is still standing (see fig. X0679). This is the oldest section and it shares many likenesses to Structure I and Structure II and probably dates to the same period (650AD-700AD). [ 891 more words. ]

http://uncoveredhistory.com/mexico/chicanna/chicanna-structure-vi/

With its carved façade and roof comb, Chicanna Structure VI appears to be a temple, but the rooms added over later centuries raise questions over its use.

13/07/2016

Chicanna Structure III is located on the north side of Group A. The lack of carved decoration and its poor state of repair make it an unremarkable sight compared to its neighbours, Structure I and Structure II. However, it is these dissimilarities that make Chicanna Structure III remarkable. There is also evidence that Chicanna Structure III was repeatedly developed throughout the Late Classic and into the Post-Classic Period. [ 381 more words. ]

http://uncoveredhistory.com/mexico/chicanna/chicanna-structure-iii/

Chicanna Structure III spans the north side of Group A and was repeatedly developed from 640AD-1040AD - but it's curiously different to the other structures

17/02/2016

Chicanna Structure I sits on the western side of Chicanna's Group A and is the only temple built in the distinctive Rio Bec style. This distinctive and unique style of architecture is found in the area surrounding the Rio Bec (River Bec), where approximately 40 sites have been discovered, including Becan, Rio Bec, Xpuhil, and Chicanna. [ 1185 more words. ]

http://uncoveredhistory.com/mexico/chicanna/chicanna-structure-i/

Chicanna Structure I stands in the shadow of the renowned Structure II, but it could be vastly more important as it appears to be the forerunner in a shift from the monumental Classic Maya pyramid construction to the more subtle and artistic style of architecture used in the Post Classic Era.

22/12/2015

Tomb of the Red Queen Discovered buried deep within Temple VIII in 1994, the Tomb of the Red Queen of Palenque is one of the most important finds at the ancient Maya city. The Tomb of the Red Queen is one of the few burials found in Mesoamerica where the deceased was interred in a sarcophagus. Royal burials were normally placed on a bench surrounded by bulky personal goods, including pots, carpets, hides and furniture, along with precious commodities, such as jade and other semi-precious stones. [ 1958 more words. ]

http://uncoveredhistory.com/mexico/palenque/tomb-of-the-red-queen/

In 1994 archaeologist finally entered the chambers of the diminutive Temple VIII at Palenque and discovered a red stained skeleton buried within a limestone sarcophagus and surrounded with precious jewels. Two companions had also been chosen to es**rt her to the afterlife, but who was this "Red Quee…

19/09/2015

Temple XIX Relief Temple XIX was commissioned by the fourteenth ruler of Palenque, K'inich Ahkal Mo' Nahb, and was dedicated on 9.15.2.7.16 9 Kib 19 Kayab (10th January 732AD). Prior to 1999, you would have been forgiven for overlooking Temple XIX as an obscure crumbled ruin that was lost to the jungle on the outskirts of the archaeological zone. But since then, excavations have revealed that Temple XIX was an integral part of the Cross Group which extended 150m south to form a much larger complex that included Temple XIX, Temple XX, Temple XXI and Temple XXII. [ 4523 more words. ]

http://uncoveredhistory.com/mexico/palenque/palenque-temple-xix/

Temple XIX may not look like much from the outside, but inside it is home to some of the best carvings found at Palenque to-date (and that's against some tough competition). However, it is the texts that are most profound as they lay out the History of Palenque from 3309BC in an attempt to demonstra…

22/07/2015

Part jaguar, part crocodile, part toad? Identifying this curious beast evades researchers, although identifying the heavily eroded face that emanates from its mouth is very straight-forward on account of the distinguished shell beard that is still clearly visible.

21/07/2015

The Mayan archaeological zone of Quirigua may be small and lack the amazing temples found at Mayan sites elsewhere in the region, but it does have phenomenal stone sculptures on display that are unsurpassed throughout Mesoamerica. Quirigua's huge carved altars are known as Zoomorpho, or Zoomorphs, a…

21/06/2015

The history of Tonina has been deciphered from the many meticulously carved monuments that have been uncovered. Despite the majority of this Mayan city still lying buried and so many of its monuments found broken, it is still possible to piece the fragmentary history together to reveal Tonina as a c…

20/06/2015

Serving a dark ritual purpose, the eerie Palace of the Underworld is a mysterious labyrinth of 11 passageways that weave beneath Tonina's pyramid acropolis.

19/06/2015

The huge stepped fret motifs found on Tonina's Palacio de las Grecas remain a mystery, however by looking at similar examples from the Zapotec culture, we can surmise that they were designed to broadcast the city's belief in a spiralling life-cycle of violent death and rebirth.

18/06/2015

The Frieze of the Bird Dancers presents a magical scene of two men dressed in winged outfits, opulently plumed with feathers, who appear to dance in heavenly accord. In this article, we look closely at their stance which suggests they may actually be playing the deadly ball-game.

18/06/2015

Taking a long look into the Temple of the Earth Monster at Tonina reveals that its associations may lead back to the beginning of time.

18/06/2015

In 1992 archaeologists uncovered an enormous stucco panel on the fifth level of Tonina's towering seven tiered acropolis. Unfortunately, much of the panel is missing and researchers are struggling to piece together its meaning. There are still large sections that have been restored, but the content…

15/06/2015

The Great Plaza at Tonina is the first area you enter, before ascending 7 levels to the heavens. Here on Platform 1 though, things are still very much in the depths of the underworld.