Have you ever heard of Ek Balam? If not, you are missing out on one of the most fascinating and impressive archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula. Ek Balam, which means “Star Jaguar” in Maya, was a powerful and prosperous city that flourished between 600 and 900 AD. It was the capital of a kingdom called “Talol”, and its most famous ruler was Ukit Kan Le’k Tok’, who built most of the magnificent buildings that we can admire today.
Ek Balam is located about 30 km north of the city of Valladolid, and 2 km from the modern Maya village of Ek Balam. It covers an area of 12 km2, but the most important structures are concentrated in a central sacred zone of 1 km2, which was protected by three walls. The entrance to this site starts with a beautiful Maya arch, and continues with the buildings of the ceremonial center, the oval palace, and a large ball court.
The most impressive and unique building in Ek Balam is the Acropolis, on the north side. It is the largest structure, measuring 146 meters long, 55 meters wide and 29 meters high. It contains the tomb of Ukit Kan Le’k Tok’, which was discovered in 1999. The tomb is decorated with a stunning stucco frieze that depicts the ruler on his throne, surrounded by winged warriors and a serpent-like monster. The entrance to the tomb resembles the open jaws and fangs of a beast, symbolizing the entrance to the underworld. This type of decoration is very rare in Maya art, and it is only found in some distant sites in Campeche.
Other interesting buildings in Ek Balam are:
- The circular building, built on the south side and known as the Oval Palace. It has a unique shape and a central staircase with two serpent heads at the base.
- The ball court, located near the Acropolis. It is one of the largest and best preserved in the Maya world, measuring 50 meters long and 16 meters wide. It has two parallel walls with six stone rings on each side.
- The twin pyramids, located on the east side. They have a similar design and size, and they face each other across a small plaza.
- A stela that depicts a ruler of Ek Balam, probably Ukit Jol Ahkul. It is one of the few carved monuments that have been found in this site.
- A beautiful arch, that serves as an entrance or gate to another part of the site. It has a vaulted roof and two columns with carved glyphs.
Ek Balam is a hidden gem of the Maya world, that offers a glimpse into the history, culture and art of this ancient civilization. If you want to visit this site, you should know that it is open from Monday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The entrance fee is $90 pesos (about $4 USD). You can also hire a guide or rent a bicycle at the entrance. You should bring water, sunscreen, hat and comfortable shoes.