Ichkabal

Ichkabal is an extensive site conformed by six main architectural groups covering about 60 km with monumental buildings and pyramids over 40 to 46 meters tall that are visible above the jungle canopy. The main plaza, which has an extension of 300 meters, is considered one of the biggest sites from the Maya Lowlands. The site was connected to the city of Dzibanche by a large sacbe of over 40 km long.^[3]

Ichakbal settlement started in the Middle Preclassic period of Mesoamerica, around the year 400 BC. During the Classic period, Ichkabal was related with the Kaan dynasty of Dzibanche, a major power of the Maya region. According to archaeological research the site was populated until the late Postclassic period around the year 1500, few years before the beginning of the Spanish conquest of Mexico.^[4]

Ichkabal remained hidden deep in the jungle of Quintana Roo until it was discovered by archaeologists in 1995.