Caracol
Maya archaeological site in Belize From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maya archaeological site in Belize From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Caracol is a large ancient Maya archaeological site, located in what is now the Cayo District of Belize. It is situated approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of Xunantunich, and the town of San Ignacio, and 15 km (9.3 mi) from the Macal River. It rests on the Vaca Plateau, at an elevation of 500 m (1,600 ft) above sea-level, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains.[1] Long thought to be a tertiary center, it is now known that the site was one of the most important regional political centers of the Maya Lowlands during the Classic Period.[2] Caracol covered approximately 200 square kilometres (77 sq mi),[3] covering an area much larger than present-day Belize City, the largest metropolitan area in the country, and supported more than twice the modern city's population.[4]
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (March 2023) |
Location within Mesoamerica | |
Location | Cayo District, Belize |
---|---|
Region | Cayo District |
Coordinates | 16°45′50″N 89°7′3″W |
History | |
Founded | 1200 BCE |
Periods | Preclassic to Postclassic |
Cultures | Maya civilization |
Caracol is a modern name from the Spanish: caracol ('snail, shell'), but more generally meaning spiral or volute-shaped – apparently on account of the winding access road that led to the site.[1][5]
The site was first reported by a native logger named Rosa Mai, who came across its remains in 1937, while searching for mahogany hardwood trees to exploit.[1] Mai reported the site to the archaeological commission for British Honduras, today Belize. In 1938, the archaeological commissioner A. Hamilton Anderson, visited the site for two weeks along with a colleague, Hugh Blockley Jex, who later became Inspector of Crown Licence.[6] It was Anderson who gave the site its modern name. They conducted preliminary surveys, noted 9 carved monuments, took notes on the structures of the A-Group Plaza, and undertook limited excavations in two locations.[1][2] Anderson and Linton Satterthwaite later discovered 40 stone monuments.[7]
The site was first noted and documented archaeologically in 1937, by Anderson. More extensive explorations and documentation of the site was undertaken by Satterthwaite, of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, from 1950 to 1953.[1] During this time Satterthwaite, primarily focused on finding and documenting monuments, later removing several stelae and altars. This early research resulted in the creation of a map of the central part of the site, the excavation of several tombs, the recording of the site's known stone monuments, and the transportation of about a dozen monuments to the University Museum, in Philadelphia.[8] In the early 1980s, Paul F. Healy, of Trent University investigated Caracol's core area, recording several architectural groups, and noting the extensive terrace systems and high population density for the surrounding area.[2]
The Caracol Archaeological Project, ongoing every year since 1985, is directed by Arlen and Diane Chase of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, (UNLV) United States. The 1988–1989 field seasons researched the southeast section of the site, between the Conchita and Pajaro-Romonal Causeways, to determine the impact of the Tikal-Naranjo wars.[9][10] From 1994 to 1996, the project focused investigations in the northeast section of the site, near the Puchituk terminus, which showed great time depth dating to the Middle Preclassic, and on the growth and cohesion of the site during Caracol's two major periods of aggression. In the spring dry season of 2009, they conducted a LiDAR survey with an aircraft that allowed a very rapid assessment of the entire site and surrounds, mapping 200 square kilometres (77 sq mi), with results published in May 2010.[11]
The only road the site can be accessed by is paved for the last 16 km (9.9 mi) and leads to the Western Highway between San Ignacio and Belmopan and to Santa Elena.
Caana ('sky-palace') is the largest building at Caracol, and is the tallest manmade structure in Belize, at 43 m (141 ft) tall.[12]
At Caracol, there are approximately 267 structures per square kilometer, 85% higher than Tikal.[1] The site covers approximately 200 square kilometers,[3] and within this area, structures are generally situated equidistantly and are integrated with the terrace system. The town grew into one of the largest ancient Maya cities, covering some 177 km2 (68 sq mi) with an estimated population of over 100,000[7][17] with settlement focused along the many radiating causeways (potentially peaking between 120,000 and up to 180,000). The invention of LIDAR helped discover the increase in population as it was able to detect more living areas.[citation needed]
The Caracol area was occupied as early as 1200 BC, yet occupation in the epicentral area was no earlier than 650 BC and lasted no later than AD 950.[7] Caracol boasts 53 carved stone monuments (25 stelae and 28 altars), and more than 250 burials and 200 caches.[7]
By the Early Classic, between AD 250 and 550, Caracol was tied into extensive trade networks and pan-lowland ideological systems,[7] leading to a unified regional economy.[18] The Caracol was officially founded in AD 331 (8.14.13.10.4) by Te' K'ab Chaak. Special Deposit C117F-1, a Teotihuacan style cremation of three individuals dates precisely to this period, indicating early influences from northern Mexico.[16]
Caracol was at first a client state of the more powerful city of Tikal, 76 km (47 mi) to the northwest. Tikal's influence weakened during the mid-sixth century; losing control of Naranjo, located halfway between the two cities, 42 km (26 mi) from each site,[19] to rival Calakmul. In AD 531, Lord K'an I, acceded to the throne.[20][21] Lord Water, (Yajaw Te' K'inich II) acceded to power in AD 553, under the auspices of Tikal's Lord Double Bird (Wak Chan K'awiil).[20] In AD 556, Tikal enacted a ch'ak (axe) war and defeated Caracol. This caused Lord Water to enact the first known star war in 562 (9.6.8.4.2), and defeated Tikal's Lord Wak Chan K'awiil (Double Bird).[20][7][19] These poorly understood conflicts are usually associated with long hiatuses and the fall of dynasties. The name comes from the glyph, which shows a star (presumably Venus) pouring liquid on the earth.[20] This particular star war was the cause of the archaeologically and epigraphically demonstrated Tikal mid-Classic hiatus, which saw a decline in Tikal's population, a cessation of monument erection, and the destruction of certain monuments in the Great Plaza.[19] This 120-year-long hiatus at Tikal occurred as Caracol's population and monumental construction increased, becoming more prosperous and cohesive. Tikal took on cultural characteristics of Caracol during this time as,[1] even with the renewed erection of monuments at Tikal, their style mimicked that of Caracol.
Yajaw Te' K'inich II passed on his throne to the eldest of his two sons, Knot Ajaw, in AD 599; his younger brother, K'an II, succeeded him in AD 618. K'an II performed a ritual of alliance in Calakmul's territory the following January (9.9.5.13.8).[22] K'an II is described as the most successful Caracol ruler, reigning for 40 years from AD 618 to 658, he expanded the causeway system and saw an increase in the site's population.[20]
In AD 627 (9.9.14.3.5), Lord K'an II attacked Caracol's sometime ally Naranjo, in a hubi (destruction) war. He attacked again in 628, and sacrificed its king. He then led a star war against Naranjo, in AD 631 (9.9.18.16.3). He did it a fourth time in 636. In AD 637, he celebrated his first reigning k'atun by dedicating the Hieroglyphic Stairway at Naranjo itself.[22]
Beginning in AD 636, there was a building boom at Caracol at the conclusion of the Tikal-Naranjo wars.[19] Entering the Late Classic period, the site still demonstrated widespread cohesion. During this time Caracol also had a unique burial pattern, focusing on multiple burials in special chambers.[23] This pattern is seen spreading out through the Peten region, likely controlled by Caracol, although this spread is independent of other material cultural indicators, like caching practices. K'an II commissioned more monuments than any other ruler, and ushered in the "golden age" of Caracol.[21]
Twenty nine days before his death, K'an II "witnessed" the accession of his successor, K'ahk' Ujol K'inich II, on 9.11.5.14.0 – AD 658.[20] During K'ahk' Ujol K'inich II's reign, Caracol was defeated in a star war by Naranjo, whose only monuments appear at La Rejolla.[20]
Lasting from AD 702 (Stela 21) to 798 (Ballcourt Marker 3), this period lacks any hieroglyphic texts. Archaeologically, this period is correlated with an increase in site-wide prosperity. After the AD 798 date, the site core is still prosperous, yet shows less cohesion between the centre and outlying areas.[9]
Warfare associated with K'inich Joy K'awil, on Stela 11 (erected AD 800), indicates the capture of eight captives. In 800 CE, K'inich Joy K'awiil captured the lord of Ucanal. Caana was also refinished during this period.
K'inich Toobil Yopaat's accession date is not certain (c. AD 804), but he erected five or six monuments, and seems to have repaired relations with Ucanal.[20] In AD 820, he enacted an axe war against Tikal.
Evidence suggests that Caracol weathered the initial part of the Maya collapse.[1] Through symbolic egalitarianism, it seems that the majority of the Late Classic population had access to "elite" material goods. However, the transition to the Terminal Classic sees a shift away from symbolic egalitarianism, when the elite developed their own ceramic traditions and had access to goods no longer available to the populace.[3]
The last recorded date at Caracol is AD 859 – 10.1.10.0.0, on Stele 10. Caana's abandonment dates to approximately AD 900;[19] several other structures have occupation that dates to the Terminal Classic period. Structure A6 was abandoned in AD 1050, and marks the final abandonment of the site.
Date | Victor | Defeated | Nature of warfare |
---|---|---|---|
9.6.2.1.11 | Tikal | Caracol | Axe event |
9.6.8.4.2 | Caracol | Tikal | Star war |
9.9.13.4.4 | Caracol | Naranjo | Hubi (destruction) |
9.9.14.3.5 | Caracol | Naranjo | Hubi |
9.9.18.16.3 | Caracol | Naranjo | Star war |
9.10.3.2.12 | Caracol | Naranjo | Star war |
9.12.7.14.1 | Naranjo | Caracol | Star war |
Pre-9.18.10.0.0 | Caracol | Ucanal | Capture ? |
Post-9.19.9.9.15 | Caracol | Tikal | Axe event |
Gregorian date | Long Count | Altars | Stelae |
---|---|---|---|
AD 400 | 8.18.4.4.14 | Stela 20 | |
AD 495 | 9.3.0.0.0 2 Ajaw | Altar 4 | |
AD 504 | 9.3.10.0.0 | Altar 19 | |
AD 514 | 9.4.0.0.0 13 Ajaw | Altar 7 | Stela 13 |
AD 534 | 9.5.0.0.0 11 Ajaw | Altars 3, 14 ?? | Stela 16 |
AD 554 | 9.6.0.0.0 9 Ajaw | Altar 5 | Stela 14 |
AD 573 | 9.7.0.0.0 7 Ajaw | Altar 6 | Stela 15 |
AD 583 | 9.7.10.0.0 | Altar 24 | Stela 4 |
AD 593 | 9.8.0.0.0 5 Ajaw | Altar 1 | Stela 1 |
AD 603 | 9.8.10.0.0 | Stela 6 | |
AD 613 | 9.9.0.0.0 3 Ajaw | Altars 11, 15 | Stela 5 |
AD 633 | 9.10.0.0.0 1 Ajaw | Altar 21 | Stelae 7, 22 |
AD 652 | 9.11.0.0.0 12 Ajaw | Altars 7, 17 | Stela 3 |
AD 702 | 9.13.10.0.0 | Stela 21 | |
AD 798 | 9.18.8.3.9 | Ballcourt Marker 3 | |
AD 799 | 9.18.9.5.9 | Ballcourt Marker 4 | |
AD 800 | 9.18.10.0.0 | Altar 23 | Stela 11 |
AD 810 | 9.19.0.0.0 9 Ajaw | Altar 22 | Stelae 8, 9, 18 |
AD 820 | 9.19.10.0.0 | Altars 12, 13 | Stela 19 |
AD 830 | 10.0.0.0.0 7 Ajaw | Altar 16 | |
AD 849 | 10.1.0.0.0 5 Ajaw | Altars 18, 10 | Stela 17 |
AD 859 | 10.1.10.0.0 1 Ajaw | Stela 10 |
1200 BC – 250 AD Preclassic small sedentary villages followed by development of monumentality and larger centers
c. 900–600 BC Earliest archaeologically known habitation at Caracol proper
c. AD 70 Structure A6-1st, "Temple of the Wooden Lintel", constructed and consecrated; locus B34 burial; full Maya ritual complex present at Caracol
c. AD 150 Elaborate burial placed in Structure B34 locus
AD 250–900 Classic "Peak" of Maya civilization; pyramids, tombs, inscriptions, widespread trade; by AD 800 Maya "collapse" is underway.
c. AD 330 Teotihuacan style cremation with three people (S.D. C117F-1) placed in the plaza of the Northeast Acropolis[16]
AD 331 (8.14.13.10.4) Caracol Royal dynasty "officially" founded by Te' K'ab Chaak (Tree Branch Rain God), Caracol's dynastic progenitor
AD 400 (8.18.4.4.14) Stela 20 dedicated
c. AD 480 Unknown ruler's tomb placed in Structure D16
AD 484 (9.2.9.0.16) Accession of Lord Yajaw Te' K'inich I
AD 495 (9.3.0.0.0) Altar 4 dedicated
AD 504 (9.3.10.0.0) Altar 19 dedicated
AD 514 (9.4.0.0.0) Altar 7 and Stela 13 dedicated
AD 531 (9.4.16.13.3) Accession of K'an I
AD 534 (9.5.0.0.0) Dedication of Altars 3 (?) and 14, and Stela 13
AD 537 Use of initial tomb in Structure B20-3rd.
AD 553 (9.5.19.1.2) Accession of Caracol Ruler Lord Water (Yajaw Te' K'inich II)
AD 554 (9.6.0.0.0) Altar 5 and Stela 14 dedicated
AD 556 (9.6.5.1.11) Tikal exacted a ch'ak (axe) war on Caracol; Tikal wins upper hand in this first war at Caracol.
AD 562 (9.6.8.4.2) "Star-War" defeat of Tikal Lord Wak Chan K'awiil by Caracol
AD 566 Batz Ek born
AD 573 (9.7.0.0.0) Dedication of Altars 6, 24 and Stela 15
AD 575 (9.7.2.0.3) Birth of Knot Ahau
AD 577 One of three tombs in Structure B20-2nd used.
AD 577 or 582 Front tomb in Structure A34 consecrated
AD 583 (9.7.10.0.0) Stela 4 dedicated
AD 588 (9.7.14.10.8) Birth of Caracol Ruler K'an II.
AD 593 (9.8.0.0.0) Altar 1 and Stela 1 erected
AD 599 (9.8.5.16.12) Accession of Caracol Lord Knot Ahau.
AD 603 (9.8.10.0.0) Stela 6 dedicated
AD 613 (9.9.0.0.0) Altars 15 and 11, and Stela 5 dedicated
AD 614 Tomb in Structure L3-2nd covered.
AD 618 (9.9.4.16.2) Accession of K'an II.
AD 626 and 628 (9.9.13.4.4) Naranjo defeated in two Hubi war events; major expansion of Caracol follows.
AD 631 (9.9.18.16.3) Caracol wins star war against Naranjo;[9] texts erected at Naranjo celebrating Caracol lords
AD 633 (9.10.0.0.0) Altar 21 and Stela 7 dedicated
AD 634 Woman's tomb in Structure B19-2nd closed.
AD 652 (9.11.0.0.0) Stela 3 dedicated
AD 658 (9.11.5.15.9) Death of K'an II. Accession of Lord Smoke Skull (K'ahk' Ujol K'inich II) who is only known from monuments at La Rejolla
AD 680 (9.12.7.14.1) Naranjo gains independence in star war.
AD 696 Tomb in Structure A3-1st covered
AD 702 (9.13.10.0.0) Stela 21 erected and capture of Ixkun lord noted Beginning of Caracol's epigraphic hiatus (AD 702–798)
AD 790 (9.18.0.0.0) Warfare associated with K'inich Joy K'awil on Stela 11 (erected AD 800), indicating the capture of eight people (two of which are shown on Altar 23, and another on Stela 17); potential erection date for Altar 3 (?)
AD 799 (9.18.9.5.9) Accession of Lord K'inich Joy K'awiil
AD 800 (9.18.10.0.0) Erection of Stela 11 and Altar 23 Capture of 3 prisoners, including Ucanal lord, by Caracol Ruler Joy K'awiil
AD 804 (9.18.13.10.19) Potential accession of K'inich Toobil Yopaat
AD 810 (9.19.0.0.0) Stelae 8, 9, and 18 erected
AD 820 (9.19.10.0.0) Altars 12, 13, and Stela 19 dedicated Ch'ak event against k'ul mutul (probably Tikal) recorded on Altar 12
AD 830 (10.0.0.0.0) Altar 16 dedicated
AD 849 (10.1.0.0.0) Altar 18 and Stela 17 dedicated
AD 859 (10.1.10.0.0) Last recorded date at Caracol on Stela 10.
AD 900–1500 Caracol centre abandoned entering the Postclassic. Most major sites are located away from Classic Period centres, but near water. Sites are generally characterized by low-lying as opposed to monumental architecture.
c. AD 1050 Last use of Caracol Structure A6; Caracol totally abandoned.
AD 1500–present "Historic" era begins when Europeans arrive in the New World; most native Maya populations decimated by disease; others disrupted by warfare and forced population movements. Native populations still comprise over 50% of Guatemala and Yucatán.
Note that this list is not continuous, as the epigraphic record is incomplete.
Te' K'ab Chaak (Tree Branch Rain God) is the dynastic progenitor of Caracol, yet is only known from two Late Classic back dated texts. One places him at AD 331, and the second at AD 349.[20]
K'ahk' Ujol K'inich I (also known as Ruler I, or Smoking Skull I) appears on the 6th century genealogical text of Stela 16, but his place in the line of reigning lords is unknown.[20] His reign has been estimated to be circa AD 470. He may have been the father of Yajaw Te' K'inich I.
Yajaw Te' K'inich I acceded to rulership in AD 484 (9.2.9.0.16), and is known from Stela 13, which records his celebration of the 4th K'atun in AD 514.[20] His monuments include Stela 13 and Altar 4. He is the father of K'an I.
K'an I (also known as Ruler II) is the son of Yajaw Te' K'inich I, and acceded his father in AD 531 – 9.4.16.13.3.[20][21] Stela 15 text gives his parentage statement, and tells that his accession was overseen by a higher authority, either another lord or a divine being. His monuments include Stela 16 (which includes his parentage statement) and Altar 14.
Yajaw Te' K'inich II (also known as Lord Water), son of K'an I and named after his grandfather, acceded to power in AD 553 - 9.5.19.1.2.[20] His monuments include Stelae 1, 4(?), 14, and Altars 1, 6, and 24. His first monument, Stela 14, records the K'atun ending in AD 554 (9.6.0.0.0). As told on Altar 21, Yajaw Te' K'inich II's accession takes place under the auspices of the Tikal Lord Wak Chan K'awiil.[20] He erected Stela 1 and Altar 1 to mark his last K'atun ending of 9.8.0.0.0, and four years later he is referenced as "seeing" the 9.8.10.0.0 ending. He is mentioned in the fragmentary text on Stela 23.[21] In AD 562 – 9.6.8.4.2 he enacted the first recorded star war against Tikal and Lord Wak Chan K'awiil. h. Yajaw Te' K'inich II's two sons, Knot Ajaw and K'an II, rule after him.
Knot Ajaw, born in AD 575 (9.7.2.0.3), succeeded his father Yajaw Te' K'inich II in AD 599.[20] Erected Stelae 5, 6, and 7 (?) to the west of Structure A13, as well as dedicated Altars 11(?) and 15. He was the half-brother of K'an II.
K'an II is described as the most successful Caracol ruler. Reigning for 40 years from AD 618 to 658, he expanded the causeway system and saw an increase in the site's population.[20] Born as Sak Witzil Baah ("White First Hill", or "White Gopher Hill") in AD 588, he took his grandfather's name at his accession. He was the half-brother of Knot Ajaw, and was thus always stressing his legitimacy by referencing his mother (who may be Batz' Ek'). It is interesting that he never references the rule of his brother Knot Ajaw in any of his monuments, even those that describe his dynastic predecessors. He also seems to have developed diplomatic contacts with the Snake polity, with whom he coordinated the war with Naranjo, which began in 626, and ended with the defeat of Naranjo in 631.[20] His monuments include Stelae 3, 22, Altars 2, 7, 17,19, and 21, and potentially the Hieroglyphic Stairway and Panel 1 from Naranjo.
K'ahk' Ujol K'inich II (also known as Smoking Skull II, or Ruler VI) succeeded K'an II in AD 658, but as he has no surviving parentage statements, we cannot be certain that he is K'an II's son. His only monument appears at La Rejolla, and only two stucco texts from Caana (Structures B16-sub and B18).[20] One of these texts shows that in AD 680, Caracol was the victim of a star war from Naranjo (also called Naranjo's war of Independence). Martin and Grube[20] suggest that this action drove K'ahk' Ujol K'inich from Caracol, at which time he may have fled to La Rejolla 12 km to the northwest. The remainder of this text has not been excavated. This star war event seems to have launched Caracol's epigraphic hiatus, which continues for 96 years, until AD 798.
Ruler VII reigned during the epigraphic hiatus, and erected only one stela (Stela 21) dated to AD 702 (9.13.10.0.0).[20] One candidate for this ruler comes from Naj Tunich, some 46 km to the south. In one of the cave's chambers dated to AD 692 is a text referring to a Caracol elite named Tz'ayaj K'ajk', who carries the emblem glyph, but not the k'inich ajaw prefix.
Tum Yohl K'inich (also called Ruler VIII) is as enigmatic as Ruler VII. He likewise appears in the Naj Tunich, and also lacks the k'inich ajaw prefix, leaving his royal status in question.[20] In this text, he performs a fire-bearing ritual under the supervision of a lord of Ixkun; an unnamed lord of Calakmul is also involved. All other appearances of his name occur in later retrospective texts like Altar 23, which lists him as a 3 K'atun lord, and the captor of two lords from Ucanal and Bital.
K'inich Joy K'awiil began a revival of the Caracol polity with his accession in AD 799 (9.18.9.5.9).[20] He commissioned the B-Group Ballcourt, the markers of which date back to the dynastic founder Te' K'ab Chaak. Stela 11 shows Tum Yohl K'inich in an ambiguous relationship to Joy K'awiil, which may show that he is the latter's father, or as suggested by Altar 23 potentially a relative in a high-ranking military position.
K'inich Toobil Yopaat's (also known as Ruler X and XI) accession date is not certain, but he erected five (possibly six) monuments (**Stelae 18, 19, Altars 12, 13), and seems to have repaired relations with Ucanal. This new relationship is depicted on Altars 12 and 13, as well as on stucco text from Structure B18.[20]
K'an III is little known, and he erected three monuments.
Ruler XIII is the last known lord of Caracol, and erected only one monument: Stela 10. Stela 10 is a carved all glyphic monument which may commemorate the half-K'atun 10.1.10.0.0 (AD 859).[20]
Other Maya sites within the Cayo district include Xunantunich, Cahal Pech,[40] and Chaa Creek.[41]
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