Ichkabal, the secret Mayan city that could soon open to the public for the first time

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There are already tentative opening dates! The discoveries of the Ichkabal ruins advanced from 2009, when a large part of its buildings were uncovered.

Ichkabal is one of the most relevant Mayan cities found in our country. It is believed to be much older than Chichen Itza and Uxmal, and you may be able to visit it soon.

Ichkabal could be the most important political center for the Mayan civilization. It is a city with enormous architectural structures that measure more than 40 meters in height and 200 meters in base.

Together with Kinichna, Kohulich and Dzibanché, the ruins of Ichkabal make up a circuit of Mayan monuments.

The ruins of Ichkabal

These ruins were covered by jungle vegetation near Bacalar, in Quintana Roo.

The first approximations to the area were given in the 1930s, by the archaeologist César Lizardi Ramos. Later, it would be Javier López Camacho who would explore the area in his search for the archaeological zone now known as “Las Higueras”.

It would be until the year of 2009 when its exploration was carried out. At this time, four important mounds were unearthed, which covered the so-called buildings 1, 4, 5, as well as the group of buildings known as “the five brothers”.

What is in this archaeological zone?

In Ichkabal there are three monumental structures and others of smaller size.

It also has a large open plaza and a 40-meter-high building.

These discoveries contribute a lot to the investigation of the Mayan culture, since archaeologists believe that this is one of the oldest Mayan cities.

Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to visit these ruins, however, according to what was declared by the head of the INAH Quintana Roo Center, Margarito Molina, the Ichkabal archaeological zone could open its doors to tourists between the months of April and May 2024.

Source: Mexico Desconocido