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Kohunlich,
Mayan Ruins, near Chetumal, Mexico. (pronounced
osh-tahn-kah) is the name given in 1937 by the
archaeologist Alberto Escalona. It received this
name from the great amount of Ramon trees (ox
in Mayan) that surround the site - the original
name of the establishment is not known. Oxtankah
is connected to a pre-Hispanic establishment located
north of the city of Chetumal. This older site
was believed to be a coastal trade centre that
flourished between 200 and 600 BC. Mayan groups
re-inhabited the city during the 15th and 16th
century using stone from the dilapidated old buildings
to build houses, walls and small temples. Some
investigators think the city corresponds to the
old Chactemal and is the scene of the first documented
mestization.
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Hours:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Entry
fee: 30 pesos
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Oxtankah
seems to have been established during the Classic
period (200-600 AD), when the Mayans constructed
most of the important buildings of the city, including
temples, sunken palaces, seats, patios and isolated
constructions. In order to supply itself with
fresh water, the inhabitants of the site constructed
chultunes and wells to catch rainwater. The architectural
style of the buildings ties to other sites within
the Peten region, in Guatemala. The size and the
importance of Oxtankah have not always been equal,
since some portions were abandoned after 600 AD,
and later occupied again. Many structures were
remodeled by means of extensions to platforms
and the construction of new palaces, administrative
temples and building on the already existing ones.
After the first Spanish incursions into the area,
the chapel was built in the North end of the site,
and constitutes the most modern testimony of the
constructive history of Oxtankah.
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This
site is really beautiful and is partly hidden
by the forest of Ramons. Its close proximity to
the Caribbean Sea gives this site a new interesting
perspective, not only from an archaeological one,
but also an environmental and ecological one.
In the city of Chetumal certified guides who will
gladly show you around for a small fee.
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