Acalan facts for kids
Acalan was an important region of the Chontal Maya people. It was located in what is now southern Campeche, Mexico. The capital city of Acalan was called Itzamkanac. The people who lived in Acalan were known as the Mactun in their own language.
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What was Acalan?
Acalan was a powerful region in the ancient Maya world. It was home to the Chontal Maya people. They spoke a language called Chontal Maya. The name "Acalan" comes from the Nahuatl language, which was spoken by the Aztec people. In Nahuatl, "Acalan" means "place of canoes." This name suggests that Acalan was a place with many rivers or waterways, which were important for travel and trade.
Where was Acalan located?
Acalan was in the southern part of what is now the state of Campeche in Mexico. This area was part of Mesoamerica, a region where many ancient civilizations thrived. Acalan was important for trade because of its location near rivers and its connection to different parts of Mesoamerica.
Itzamkanac: The Capital City
The main city of Acalan was Itzamkanac. Today, this ancient city is believed to be the site known as El Tigre. It was located on the right bank of the Rio Candelaria. Itzamkanac was a busy center for the Chontal Maya people. It was a place where important decisions were made and where people gathered.
A Key Moment in History
In 1525, a very important event happened in Itzamkanac. Cuauhtemoc, who was the last ruler of the Aztec Empire, was traveling through Acalan. He was with Hernán Cortés, a Spanish explorer. During this journey, Cuauhtemoc was sadly put to death by Hernán Cortés in Itzamkanac. This event was a significant moment in the history of the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
