Caracol

Caracol is the largest site of Belize and one of the largest most complete Mayan area, since its construction and housing area has similar proportions to the large centers such as Tikal and Calakmul, since it includes more than 1,000 structures grouped in 128 groups. Its natural environment is protected as a National Park, which in turn is part of the Chiquibul forest reserve. The settlement of Caracol, whose original name was Ox Witz’ (three mountains), is characterized by a system of sacbeob nine roads linking the central area with several groups of medium-sized, as Cahal Pichik, Ceiba, Conchita, Retiro, Ramonal and La Rejolla. A system of terraces is distributed in all its surroundings, and its use was residential and agricultural. The ceremonial center of Caracol contains four main groups of structures. Group A shows a setup type “Group E”, which originally could be used for the observation of the sun at solstices and equinoxes. Also includes the Stela 22 which has the longest text of all Belize. To the South is a ball court and the South Acropolis Court. The Central Acropolis is located opposite to the B group, the more monumental, since it contains the Caana structure, which is the largest site in the entire Belizean territory. It rises 137 feet and in its summit you can see funerary enclosures which are accessed by stairs. Caana in front is the structure B5, decorated with large stucco masks, as well as another ball game Court. The Museum of site of Caracol has a small exhibition that includes a demo, as well as some sculptures, vases and other artifacts recovered from some tombs.

You, deer, shall sleep in the fields by the river bank and in the ravines. Here you shall be amongst the thicket, amongst the pasture; in the woods you shall multiply, you shall walk on four feet and they will support you. Thus be it done!

Popol-Vuh