Naachtun
17°47′52″N 89°44′25″W / 17.79778°N 89.74028°W
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Naachtun[
Situated in one of the areas most remote from contemporary settlements, the site was first rediscovered and documented in 1922 by the American archaeologist and
History
Chronological Sequence of Naachtun[1]
Occupational Phase | Year | Corresponding Period |
---|---|---|
Muuch | 830 CE - 950/1000 | Terminal Classic |
Maax 3 | 740 CE - 830 | Late Classic |
Maax 1-2 | 580 CE - 740 | |
Balam 3 | 500 CE - 580 | Early Classic |
Balam 2 | 350 CE - 500 | |
Balam 1 | 150 CE - 350 | |
Kutz' | ? - 150 CE | Late Preclassic |
During the beginning of the Early Classic period, the establishment of a royal dynasty marked Naachtun's initial sociopolitical and economic development with Tikal.[1] Residential areas reached their maximal occupation during the Late Classic period. Also during the beginning of the Late Classic period, a political shift occurred as Calakmul established their rule on the East Plaza of Group B. Relations with Tikal were cut during this time then re-established during the Maax 3 phase (740-830 CE).[1] By the Terminal Classic, Naachtun suffered a population loss leaving many of the residential structures abandoned. The population that remained settled in the Central and Southern Complexes located in Group B and remained there until the end of the 10th century.[1]
Naachtun's population is believed to have used slash and burn agricultural methods as suggested by the archeological record.[1]
Site description
The site is quite large, with several Pyramid temples and Acropolis, linked with
Group A
Group A includes three large plazas: the north, south and west plazas, a large E-Group, Structure XXVII (a pyramid), “La Perdida” (another pyramid), and “a walled compound housing several palatial structures.”[3] There is also a ballcourt located next to Structures XIII and XIV.
Group B
Group B contains a maze of masonry residential structures situated on low platforms that surround several patios of different sizes, a Western, Central and Southern Complex,[1] a pyramidal structure known as Structure XXV, Structure XXXVIII (a radial pyramid) and public structures (Structure 60-3 and 60-4), all arranged around two plazas: East Plaza and Plaza Río Bec.[3] The East Plaza was associated with the residences of the elite and was located in the Western Complex.
Group C
Group C contains a group of several pyramidal buildings, a triadic group known as Structure I and a monumental acropolis. Structure I is linked to the ballcourt in Group A by a sacbeob.[3]
Stelae
Archeologists have excavated 45 stelae from Naachtun. One specific stelae-Stela 18- “presents a gigantic women crushing a confined Ox-Te-Tun captive beneath her.”[4] Stelae 18 is located on the terrace in front of Structure XXXVIII in Group B, on the east side of the main plaza. It is dated to the Late Classic period.