Jade Pectoral from Royal Tomb
Visit
Nakún
Gallery
Located on the
Holmul
river banks, 17 Km. north of
Yaxhá, and
11 from El Naranjo, forming the
Nakúm,
Yaxhá, Naranjo
triangle in
Eastern Central Petén, among its main features are
its abundant Graffiti and ongoing restored
architecture, by the the same
German team working in Yaxhá and investigated by a Polish and Guatemalan team.
The site was first
settled during the Middle Preclassic. This period saw the
construction of the first
versions of several important
complexes and buildings. The site saw significant development
during the Late Preclassic when all existing structures were
rebuilt and new constructions were added.
During the Early Classic architectural activity clearly
diminishes at Nakum. Only four buildings dated to that period
have been discovered so far and they are located in the
Acropolis complex. Many structures
visible at Nakum today were
constructed in the Late Classic period. However, one of the most
interesting and intriguing facts in the occupational history of
Nakum is its vigorous development during the
Terminal Classic
Collapse period when most of the other Southern Lowland Maya centers were
in decline. Archaeological investigations undertaken during the
past several years in the South Sectors demonstrate quite
convincingly that all the structures erected in the previous
period were rebuilt during the Terminal Classic. Moreover, many
new structures were constructed during this period.
The
core of Nakum is divided into two main sectors: North and South.
The North Sector houses a large spacious plaza and several large
complexes and buildings (North, West and East Groups as well as
Temple X). The North and South Sectors of the site are connected
by the elevated Perigny
(Its first investigator in 1907)
Causeway which is about 250 m long. A small ballcourt
(Structures 7 and 8) is located at the southern end of the
causeway. The South Sector houses several huge temple-pyramid
structures (Structures A, B, C, V, U) as well as an enormous
complex called the Acropolis and many other buildings. The
Acropolis consists of a large architectural platform topped by
palace-like structures grouped around 12 courtyards or patio
groups. The South Sector of Nakum which houses the most
important and impressive pyramid-temples and palace structures
was extensively rebuilt and enlarged during the Terminal Classic
period
The Roofcomb of the main temple is the best
preserved outside Tikal, the south plaza is the largest, including the main
Acrópolis with 11
patios, a lot of structures, including a 44 room palace, and in the center
another elevated
acrópolis, this city has evidence of being occupied since late Preclassic, but flourished in the Late Classic, from 700 to 950 AD, due
to its strategic situation north of Holmul river, that was an important commerce
pathway during this era. All the visible architecture belongs to this period,
there are 15 stelas, Structure A with a triadic top, form along with
structure C an
astronomical complex. Structure V has vaults and vertical walls.
In a Temple Pyramid (st 15), a royal burial was discovered and
had the remains of a couple, the Jade pectoral bears the name of
Ixim Chan lord of Yaxhá, dated some 4 centuries earlier than the
tomb, perhaps it was a
war trophy or a direct
descendant.
