Search Results: Chacchoben

Chaccoben (pronounced chac-CHO-bin) is a Maya site dated to c. 700 CE located in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Once a large and significant urban religious center, the city was abandoned c. 900-950 CE at about the same time as the other...

Weathered and broken stele in the Grand Plaza of the Maya city of Chacchoben, Mexico, c. 700 CE. It rests at the foot of the stairs leading up to the Gran Basamento plateau where religious rituals were held.

Temple of the Ways, Maya city of Chacchoben, c. 700 CE. The altar, in the center of the temple, purposefully resembles a mouth and received sacrificial offerings. This temple continued to be used as a place of worship for centuries after...

Structure known as Temple 1 at Maya site of Chacchoben c. 700 CE. The temple is astronomically aligned to focus the first rays of dawn on the summer solstice down onto an area where once a statue or stele would have stood.

Stairs ascending from the Great Plaza (the market and residential area) to the Gran Basamento ("Great Basement") of the Maya site of Chacchoben, c. 700 CE. The Gran Basamento was a sacred plateau where religious rituals were enacted, including...

Probable location of the ball court in Grand Plaza of Maya city of Chacchoben, c. 700 CE. The Mesoamerican ball game of Poc-a-toc had religious significance and was considered so important that those who died playing it went instantly to...

The ruins of the ancient market place and residential area in the Great Plaza of the Maya site of Chacchoben, c. 700 CE.

Temple 24 at the Maya site of Chacchoben, c. 700 CE. The first temple one encounters upon entering the grounds. The extant structure was built upon a much older temple which had been built over an even older one. This was in keeping with...

The Temple of the Vessels (Templo de Las Vasijas) at Maya city of Chacchoben, c. 700 CE. Bowls, pitchers, plates and other items used for religious rituals were kept here.

Detail of the sacrificial altar at the Temple of the Ways, Maya city of Chacchoben, c. 700 CE.