Caracol

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This article is about the Mayan ruins in Belize. For the military maneuver, see Caracole. For the Colombian television network, see Caracol TV. For El Caracol Michoacan Mexico

Temple at Caracol

Caracol or El Caracol is the name given to a large ancient Maya site located in the Cayo District of the nation of Belize. Caracol is about 25 miles south of Xunantunich and San Ignacio Cayo, at an elevation of 1500 feet (460 m) above sea-level, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The name is Spanish for "The Snail"; the ancient Maya name may have been Oxhuitza.

The site was occupied as early as 1200 BC, but had its greatest period of construction in the Maya Classic period, with over 40 monuments dated between 485 to 889 which record the dynastic sequence of the rulers.

Ancient Caracol was one of the largest ancient Maya cities, covering some 65 square miles (168 km²) with an estimated peak population of about 120,000, or possibly even 180,000 people. One monument here records a military victory over the army of Tikal in 562.

[edit] Known rulers of Caracol

(Note that this list is not continuous, as the archaeological record is incomplete)

331–349: Te' Kab' Chaak
circa 470: K'ak' Ujol K'inich I
484–514: Yajaw Te' K'inich I
531–534: K'an I
553–593: Yajaw Te' K'inich II
599–613: "Knot Lord"
618–658: K'an II
658–680: K'ak' Ujol K'inich II
circa 700: name unknown
mid 8th century: name unknown
793: Tum Yohl K'inich
798: K'inich Joy K'awiil
810–830: K'inich Toob'il Yoaat
835–849: K'an III
859: name unknown

[edit] Modern history of Caracol

The site was discovered in 1938. More extensive explorations and documention of the site was undertaken by the University of Pennsylvania in 1951 and 1953. A project of archaeological excavations and restorations of the ancient structures at Caracol started in 1985 and is ongoing. The project is currently directed by Drs. Arlen and Diane Chase of the University of Central Florida in Orlando.