EK BALAM - A TREASURE UNEARTHED
Only 15 years ago a wondrous ancient Mayan city named Ek Balam was recovered and presented to the world as another treasure recaptured from the ravages of time for modern adventurists to explore.Ek Balam is the name of the ancient cluster of pyramids and building and it means ‘black jaguar’ in mayan, and when this pueblo was inhabited earliest in 100 B.C. in was surrounded by a jungle ruled by the mighty black jaguar.
The fact that most of the sculptures and decoration of the site were not affected by time and are well preserved makes Ek Balam special for that reason. Scientists estimate the site will be as large or even larger than its neighbor, Chichen Itza.
I went with my mum Casey and Casey's new boyfriend and his daughter for a little holiday to Ek Balam to see what all the fuss was about, and we are so glad we went. Before we left I did some research on the internet.
Ek Balam is a site composed of many temples, two palaces and a large pyramid in the center of the city.
One of the main buildings is one of the largest Mayan buildings ever recovered; it is the Acropolis measuring almost 500 by 200 feet with a height of almost a hundred feet!
When we arrived of course the first thing we wanted to do was climb the 102 stairs to the top of the pyramid, but the view and fun-scary coming down was worth it! From the top of the pyramid we could see the ruins of Coba that are 30 miles away!
This main building is believed to be the tomb of the ruler of the city around 800 A.D. named Ukil-Kan-Lek-Tok. (Mayan divine snake head) The Acropolis has a large entrance built to represent a portal to the next world.Unlike many of the other ancient pueblos in the area, Ek Balam has a defense wall surrounding the city, much like the Tulum ruins near the Coco Tulum where I am staying.
There are many ‘sac-be’s’ ( white roads) connecting Ek Balam to Chichen Itza, Coba and other local pueblos used by farmers and traders of honey, corn, wax and cotton produced in the area.
We went for a drive in the area and went to visit Maya at her house in Ek Balam... Casey bought two turkeys from Maya's aunt for our little farm at home. I don't think we are going to eat them, but I am nervous because Casey named them, 'Thanksgiving' and 'Christmas'.It was a great little Easter vacation trip, and it was great to get to know Casey's new boyfriend and his daughter, too.
I love living in the land of the Maya.