Archaeology Monday: (pt.5): Xpujil

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Welcome to "Archaeology Monday" our newest feature here on YucatanDiscovery.com Check back every week for a new profile and photos of some of our favourite archaeological sites!



Located within the town of the same name, The archaeological site and ancient city of Xpujil sits in the jungle of southern campeche near the border with the Mexican state of Quintana Roo to the east, and the Peten department of Guatemala to the south. Though the original name of the city has been lost to time, it has been known as Xpujil since its rediscovery in the 1930s. The name is a reference to the type of vegetation growing around the site which resembles a "cat tail". As with other cities of the region, Xpujil is exemplifies the Rio Bec style or architecture. The city was once composed of 17 structure groups which follow a disperse type of settlement pattern. These include groups formed by open courtyards surrounded by monumental buildings separated by each other by smaller structures.

The site also features structures with easily visible stone carvings which form mosaics of serpents in both high and low relief. The most notable structure of the site, known by its not so creative name "structure 1" has a height of 18 meters and runs about 53 meters wide along a north-south alignment. It has twelve rooms which are orientated towards the four cardinal points and posses vaulted mayan roofs. Its most striking feature are its three towers, with the middle of these towers being the best preserved.The structure has several entrances with one of them (on the south side) is subterranean and imply the use of sections of the structure being used as burial chambers or perhaps for the preservation of food or other perishable goods.

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Xpujil is only one of the many amazing sites such as Chicanna, Becan, Balamku, Dzibanche.and many more which we will be visiting on our Southern Campeche & Quintana Roo Archaeology & Wild-Life Experience (Feb 20th to the 25th, 2020). Space is still available but it is filling up fast! For more information email Carlos at carlos.rosado@yucatandiscovery.com

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