Becan facts for kids

Becan (in Spanish, Becán) is an ancient city built by the Maya civilization. It is an archaeological site, which means it's a place where scientists study old human history. Becan is located in the middle of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It's in the state of Campeche, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) north of another famous Maya city called Tikal. Other Maya sites like Balamku, Calakmul, Chicanna, and Xpuhil are also close by.

Archaeologists gave the site the name Becan. In the Yukatek Maya language, this name means "ravine or canyon formed by water." They chose this name because of a very special and unusual feature of the city: a large ditch that surrounds it.

History of Becan

Becan was first settled around 550 BCE (Before Common Era). This was during the middle Preclassic Maya period. Over the next few hundred years, it grew into a very important city. It became a major center for people to live and for special ceremonies.

During the early Classic period, around 250 CE (Common Era), the number of people living in Becan went down. Less building work happened, but it was still an important place. Scientists have found trade goods from a city called Teotihuacan there. This shows that Becan traded with other powerful cities.

Around this time, the large ditch and walls were built around the city. This ditch goes all the way around the city center. It covers an area of about 25 hectares (61.7 acres).

Around the year 500 CE, the population of Becan grew a lot again. Many new, large buildings were constructed. Most of these buildings were made in a style called the Rio Bec style of Maya architecture. Building of major structures and important monuments stopped around 830 CE. However, people continued to live at the site for some time after that. The population slowly decreased, and Becan was likely abandoned by about 1200 CE.

Discovery and Research

Archaeologists Karl Ruppert and John Denison first wrote about Becan in 1934. They were on an expedition for the Carnegie Institution of Washington. They named the site "Becan" because of the clear ditch around the city center. We don't know what the ancient Maya people called this city.

From 1969 to 1971, more archaeological digs happened at Becan. These were supported by Tulane University and the National Geographic Society.

In 1984, a famous Mexican archaeologist named Román Piña Chán was working at the site. He had an accident and fell from a pyramid at Becan. Years later, on July 13, 2001, a new discovery was announced. An archaeologist named Lucía Campaña found an ancient tomb inside Building Nine at Becan. This was a very exciting find!

Images for kids

• 

  Structure IX.

• 

  Structure VIII.

• 

  Structure IV.

• 

  Outside stairway, Structure IX

See also

In Spanish: Becán para niños