5 Archaeological Sites Worth Visiting in Campeche, Mexico

Mexico is home to numerous archaeological sites that have fascinated scientists, historians, and travelers alike. Many of these sites are found in Campeche, one of the country's 32 federal entities.

While the archaeological sites in Campeche have yet to be extensively explored, we are learning more and more about them through time. For those interested to visit such sites when in Mexico, here are five of them that you shouldn't miss.

Becan

First documented in 1934 by John Denison and Karl Ruppert, Becan actually got its name from these archaeologists. In Yukatek Maya, the name means "ravine formed by water." Its ancient Maya name is not known.

The archaeological site is an example of the Rio Bec style of architecture. This style was commonly seen in the central Maya lowlands from 7th century AD until the early 12th century.

Calakmul

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Calakmul can be found in the jungles of the Petén Basin region. Located near the Mexico-Guatemala border, it is one of the largest and most powerful ancient cities to be uncovered in this area.

Calakmul is home to 6,750 identified structures, including a great pyramid where four tombs have since been found. This ancient city once had a population of 50,000 people.

Chicanná

Rediscovered in 1966 by Jack Eaton, the town of Chicanná got its name from its most famous structure. This structure, a near-perfect monster mouth temple, is now known as Structure II. In Mayan, it is known as "House of the Serpent Mouth."

It is believed that it reached its peak from 300 BC to 250 AD, but the structures visible today were built from 600 AD to 830 AD. Chicanná was eventually abandoned by its inhabitants in 1100 AD.

Edzná

Discovered in 1907, Edzná is a Maya archaeological site. It is 25 square kilometers in size and is believed to have housed up to 25,000 inhabitants. However, it was eventually abandoned by its inhabitants, and the reason behind the act is still a mystery up to this day.

Edzná has been open to travelers since the 1970s.

Hochob

Located in the region known as The Chenes, Hochob can be translated to "the place where corn is harvested." It can be found southwest of the town of Dzibalchen.

One of the best examples of Chenes-style architecture, it features stone blocks in different sizes that were arranged to form emotional masks of Itzamná, an upper god in Maya mythology.