Mayan Archaeological Sites in Yucatán
Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca
Archaeological Sites in Chiapas
Arqueología Campeche
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Central Mexico
Mayan Archaeological Sites in Yucatán
Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca
Arqueología Chihuahua
Arqueología Campeche
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
The pre-Hispanic city of Comalcalco is the westernmost of the Mayan area.
It was occupied for more than 1000 years. It was inhabited from 200 A.C. to 900 A.D.
Its name in Nahuatl language means "In the House of the Comales". Comalcalco was contemporary of the cities of Piedras Negras (Guatemala), Yaxchilán and Palenque (Chiapas).
This site had important links with Palenque, Uxmal and Tikal, as well as with the Toltecs, Nahuas and Totonacas.
During the first 500 years its spectacular architecture is comprised of earth plinths covered in stucco. In the 700 A.D they were forced to used baked brick for the shortage of stone in the area, and built spectacular pyramids and temples with thousands of bricks decorated with motifs related to their life and customs. Comalcalco is considered the oldest town in America that used baked bricks.
Comalcalco
Must see Buildings
There are 282 structures in the site, 105 mounds, 46 platforms, 62 residential platforms, 29 ceremonial platforms, 7 bases holding constructions, 3 civil constructions and 4 specialized function platforms.
The main architectural groups are: The Great Acropolis, The North Plaza, The East Acropolis and the West Group.
Gran Acrópolis (Great Acropolis)
It includes a large artificial platform 35 meters high, topped by several buildings like the The Palace, The Sunken Courtyard, The Tomb of the Stucco or the Nine Lords of the Night and the Temples V, VI, VII and VIII. The palace is the building the largest building, it measures approximately 80 m long by 8 wide and 9 meters height.
Plaza Norte (North Plaza)
EIt is a big rectangular plaza surrounded by a number of buildings.
Temple I
A stepped pyramid known as Temple I is the most important monument in this plaza. It is a pyramidal base with ten bodies.
Comalcalco Site Museum
The museum exhibit a collection of sculptures, funeral urns, vessels, musical instruments and many other objects.
Location
It is located in the Ranchería Norte Km. 1.5, Carretera a Comalcalco.
From the city of Villahermosa, you can reach the archaeological zone of Comalcalco, by the 180 highway to Cárdenas, from there take the 187 to Comalcalco, until get to the junction, 2 km ahead, take the road to the ranchería Independencia, which leads to the archaeological zone, with a total distance of 89 km.
It can also be reached through the state road that goes from Villahermosa to Nacajuca, Jalpa de Méndez, Comalcalco, which has a total distance to the archaeological zone of 55 km.
Hours
Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00 hrs.