Acanceh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Acanceh, Yucatán
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Municipal seat
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Central square of Acanceh, with pre-Columbian pyramid, Colonial church, and more modern structures
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 Acanceh, Yucatán
Location in Yucatán (state)
Acanceh, Yucatán
Location in Mexico
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| Country | Mexico |
| State | Yucatán |
| Municipality | Acanceh |
Acanceh (pronounced akan-KAY) is a town in the Mexican state of Yucatán. It's also an ancient Maya archaeological site. The town is about 21 kilometers (13 miles) from Mérida, the state capital. Acanceh is special because the modern town is built right on top of the old Maya city, meaning people have lived there for a very long time! The name Acanceh means "groan of the deer" in the Yucatec Maya language.
About 11,000 people live in Acanceh. Most of them are Maya, and they mainly speak the Mayan language. However, most people also understand basic Spanish.
Contents
Discovering Ancient Acanceh
Acanceh was founded a very long time ago, between 300 and 500 AD. This was during the Early Classic period of Maya history. It might have been started by the Itzaes as they moved across the Yucatán peninsula. They came from the lake area of Bacalar and also founded famous cities like Chichen Itzá, Izamal, and T'Hó (which is now Mérida).
Before the Spanish arrived, Acanceh was part of a Maya region called the Chakanes.
Exploring the Maya City
The ancient Maya city of Acanceh was huge, covering more than 4 square kilometers (about 1.5 square miles). It had around 400 buildings! Today, three of these buildings have been restored, and you can visit them. Recent digs have also found even more hidden structures.
The Grand Pyramid
One of the most impressive buildings is the three-level step pyramid. It stands 11 meters (about 36 feet) tall. Archaeologists have uncovered an older part of the pyramid. This older layer shows amazing carved masks that were part of the pyramid's decoration. These masks give us a peek into the ancient Maya art and beliefs.
The Palace of the Stuccos
Another cool building is the "Palace of the Stuccos." This palace is 50 meters (about 164 feet) wide and 6 meters (about 20 feet) high. It has many detailed friezes, which are decorative bands with carvings. The design of this building is very complex, with many rooms and intricate carvings.
Teotihuacan Influence
The way the buildings in Acanceh are designed shows influences from another powerful ancient city called Teotihuacan. This makes some experts think that Acanceh might have been like a "colony" or an outpost of Teotihuacan. It shows how different ancient cultures could connect and influence each other.
See also
In Spanish: Acanceh para niños
