Caracol
Photo 
Russell Harrison.
Russell Harrison.
Caracol is an important Mayan city that flourished in the
6th century AD and now lies in ruins in west-central Belize, near the border
with Guatemala. The city, which lay hidden in the jungle until its discovery in
1938, contains numerous pyramids, royal tombs, dwellings and other structures,
as well as a large collection of Mayan art.
History
Photo Russell Harrison.
Russell Harrison.
The largest Mayan site in Belize, Caracol once occupied a
large area (88 sq km) and supported a population of about 140,000 people. Its
Mayan name was Oxwitzá, ("three hill water"). The name Caracol means
"snail" in Spanish and refers to the large number of snails found
here during early explorations.
The earliest known habitation of Caracol occurred as early
as 900 BC, but the first known Mayan ritual complexes date from about 70 AD,
when the Temple of the Wooden Lintel and locus B34 burial were built. Another
elaborate burial was added to the same site around 150 AD.
Photo Russell Harrison.
Russell Harrison.
The Caracol royal dynasty was founded in 331, and the city
rose in power over the next two centuries. Caracol flourished from the 6th to
8th centuries, after which it rapidly declined. In 562, Caracol defeated the
Mayan city of Tikal and assumed leadership of the region. It went on to defeat
another rival city, Naranjo, in 631.
The last date recorded on a stele at Caracol is in 859 and
the city was totally abandoned by 1050. The ancient Mayan city was overtaken by
the jungle and forgotten until its rediscovery by a woodcutter in 1937.
Archaeologists first arrived in 1952–53 and began
preliminary studies, but extensive clearing of the jungle and dedicated
archaeological work did not begin until 1985, under the leadership of
archaeologists Diane Chase and Arlen Chase of the University of Central
Florida. An on-site museum was opened in 1998 and excavations continue today.
What to See
Photo Russell Harrison.
Russell Harrison.
Caracol is located in the Chiquibil Forest Reserve of west-central
Belize, just 47 miles from the Mayan city of Tikal (in Guatemala). Designated
the Caracol Archaeological Reserve, the site is not as extensively cleared as
others in the region, but this allows for more atmosphere and wildlife
spotting.
So far, Caracol archaeologists have uncovered two ball
courts and three main plazas surrounded by pyramid temples and other
structures. Over 100 tombs have also been found, as well as a rich array of
hieroglyphic inscriptions, which reveal the history of this lost Mayan city.
Photo Russell Harrison.
Russell Harrison.
The most impressive sight at Caracol is a hillside complex
known as Caana, which is Maya for "Sky Place." Rising 43.5 meters
above the plaza below, Caana contains four palaces and three temples. It is one
of the most elaborate complexes found so far in the Southern Maya region. The
palace rooms were originally coated with white stucco and decorated with red
paint.
Photo Philip Larson.
Philip Larson.
The largest tomb discovered so far was hidden deep below
Caracol Stucture B19. The tomb chamber was also coated with white stucco and
decorated with a thick red line around the center and a large red panel at one
end. Inside the red panel is an inscription recording the date 634 AD. The only
occupant of the chamber was an adult female, who had been bundled in cloths and
accompanied by ceremonial vessels.
Original Article: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/belize/caracol
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