Ruins of the city of Cahal Pech (Cahal Pech) description and photos - Belize: San Ignacio (Topic)

Cahal Pech ruins description and photos - Belize: San Ignacio. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Cahal Pech.

Photo and description

Cahal Pech is a city of the Mayan civilization, located in the Cayo area, near San Ignacio, in the upper part of the Belize Valley, near the Makal and Mopan rivers. The total area of the Kahal-Pech complex is about 25 sq. km. and includes 34 large buildings, the largest of which is possibly a steam room or a bathhouse.

The settlement was founded at the beginning of the pre-Classical era and flourished until the end of the Classical period, although pottery found at the site indicates a longer use of the buildings. Recent excavations have suggested that Cahal Pech, which was most likely built by the Mayan Indians from Guatemala, is one of the oldest settlements of this civilization in Belize.

Cahal Pech was once a country town home of a wealthy family. The ceremonial center includes temples, pyramids, palaces and a ball court. Some of the earliest stele monuments in the region have been found here. It is one of the oldest recognizable Mayan cities in western Belize. The site was abandoned in the 9th century AD for unknown reasons.

Archaeological excavations began in the 1950s and have been going on for several decades, but most of Cahal Pech is open to the public.

Topic: Ruins of the city of Cahal Pech (Cahal Pech) description and photos - Belize: San Ignacio.