Coba facts for kids
Coba Archeological Area
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| Location | Quintana Roo, Mexico |
|---|---|
| Region | Yucatán Peninsula |
| History | |
| Periods | Late Preclassic to Late Postclassic |
| Cultures | Maya civilization |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | In ruins |
Cobá is an ancient city built by the Maya people. It is located on the Yucatán Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Cobá was very important because it had the largest network of stone roads in the ancient Maya world.
Many carved stone monuments called stelae were found here. These stelae show important ceremonies and events from the Late Classic Period (around AD 600–900). Today, a small village with the same name is next to the ruins.
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Exploring the Ancient City of Cobá
The ancient city of Cobá was built near two large lagoons. From the city center, many raised stone and plaster roads spread out. These roads are called sacbe (pronounced sah-KBEH) by the Maya, which means "white road."
Some of these roads went east. The longest one stretched over 100 kilometres (62 mi) to the west, reaching another Maya site called Yaxuna.
The Tallest Pyramid: Nohoch Mul
Cobá is home to a group of large temple pyramids known as the Nohoch Mul. The tallest pyramid in this group is called Ixmoja. It stands about 42 metres (138 ft) high. This makes Ixmoja one of the tallest pyramids on the entire Yucatán Peninsula.
At its busiest time, Cobá might have had around 50,000 people living there. The city covered a huge area of about 80 square kilometers. People started living in this area and farming as early as the 1st century AD.
Most of Cobá's main buildings were constructed between 500 and 900 AD. Many of the carved messages with dates are from the 7th century. Cobá remained an important place even after this period. New temples were built, and old ones were kept in good condition until at least the 14th century.
Sacbeob: The White Roads of Cobá
The sacbeob (the plural of sacbe) were very common in Cobá. They were raised pathways, usually made of stone. These paths connected different parts of the city. They linked residential areas to the main city center and to important water sources.
These white roads were vital for connecting everything in Cobá. They are one of the most important features discovered and preserved at the site. Thanks to the sacbeob, archaeologists could create detailed maps of the ancient city.
The Maya built these roads for trade and travel. They ranged in width from 10 to 30 feet. The longest one is about 62 miles (100 km) long. Over fifty other sacbeob have been found. Building these roads was probably even harder than building stone temples.
Even though the Maya knew about the wheel, they didn't use it for transportation. Most travel along the sacbeob happened at night when it was cooler. The white limestone of the roads glowed under the moonlight, helping travelers find their way.
Visiting Ancient Cobá
The ancient site of Cobá is becoming more and more popular with tourists from Mexico and other countries. One of the biggest reasons people visit is that you can still climb the ancient pyramid! You can walk up its 130 steps to the very top.
Here are some of the important places and things you can see at the ruins of Cobá:
- Nohoch Mul Pyramid - This pyramid is 42 meters (137 feet) tall. From the top, you get an amazing view of the Yucatán jungle. You can also see the two lagoons near Cobá: Macanxoc Lagoon to the east and Cobá Lagoon to the southwest.
- Cobá Group - This is a collection of buildings near the entrance. It includes a structure called the Iglesia (the Church) and one of the two ball courts found at the site.
- Conjunto de Pinturas - In this area, the main attraction is the Pyramid of the Painted Lintel. From a distance, visitors can still see actual paintings on the temple at the top.
- Macanxoc Group - This part of the site has 8 stelae and many altars. Having so many stelae here shows that this area was very important for spiritual activities.
- Cobá Stelae - These carved stone monuments tell us a lot about life in Cobá. They show how people dressed, what rituals they performed, and the roles of both men and women in the city's ceremonies and politics. Many stelae even show women as powerful leaders. The hieroglyphic writings on them give more details about the city's government, important dates, and major historical events.
Images for kids
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Front view of the pyramid structure known as "La Iglesia" in the Group B, or Cobá Group, complex. Stela 11 is in the foreground at the base of the pyramid's steps, under the thatched roofing.
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Nohoch Mul Pyramid, Cobá.
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One of two ballgame courts at Cobá
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The Ixmoja pyramid
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Panoramic view from the top of the Ixmoja pyramid
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See also
In Spanish: Cobá para niños
