Ek Balam
Ek’ Balam is located in the east-central part of Yucatan , approximately 190 km from Merida . It dates back to 300. b.C, before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadores.
The archeological zone covers approximately 12 square kilometers, including a central religious area of about 1 square kilometer where the elite resided. This area was protected and separated from the rest of the original city by 3 walls with five separate entrances each beginning a sak be’ ooob, or ancient white roads.
Ek’ balam shares characteristics common to the most important ancient Maya cities, including monumental, architecture, walls, stele and so-called Serpent Hieroglyphics, beautiful sculptures carved of blocks of stone, a ball court, a network roads as well as texts written in glyphs.
Many buildings feature extraordinary sculptures carved in stone or modeled stucco, either polychromatic or a mixture. Visitors today are astonished by the craftsmanship of the ancient artists, shown in objects of luxury marks, the large number of people necessary to produce projects pf this magnitude. The “Acropolis” with its truly extraordinary façade is worth a special mention. Measuring 160 meters long by almost 70 wide an 31 high, its is listed among the largest construction in Yucatan.
The most important discovery on the site was the discovery of the tomb of the ruler Ukit Kan Lek Tok. Containing many rich offering, here was found the only glyphic emblem found to date in the north of this state, giving the name of the ruler form whom the tomb was built
