One of the most intriguing sites was the ruins at
Comalcalco. Instead of the usual stone, the buildings are made of clay bricks,
some which have "makers marks" identical to those found in the Mediterranean
area. Also found were unusual heads, including one of a bearded man, and
etchings.
Click thumbnails to see full
size photos.
We made a stop in the village of
Comalcalco at the cocoa plantation that produces Wolters Chocolate
for a tour of the gardens, museum and historic
home. Those are cocoa pods, growing directly out of the trunk of the
tree.
The stunning huge pyramid seen when
first entering the archeological site at Comalcalco reminded us of
photos of ziggurats we'd seen built in ancient Mesopotamia. It is
built of flat kiln-dried red clay bricks and looks quite different
from most other Mayan pyramids.
Another building from
Colmacalco, showing some remaining stucco. There are several small
groups on the open area of this interesting site.
Some carving remained at the
acropolis.
Part of a
tomb, that had been robbed and the sarcophagus taken, shows great
similarity to the tomb of Pakal. The Nine Lords, depicted on the
sides of Pakal's sarcophagus are shown here on the walls.
An overview of the site from top of the hill that houses the Palacio.
Some of the clay bricks at the site had primitive etchings on them.
Others had marks that are almost identical to those used by masons
in Old Rome.
The small museum at the site has some interesting artifacts taken
from the site, including these unusual heads, all larger than
life-size, of men and gods. Note the bearded man at the left.
(Click each for a better view)