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  • INAH-Zona Arqueológica Kankí
    INAH-Zona Arqueológica Kankí
  • INAH-Zona Arqueológica Kankí
    INAH-Zona Arqueológica Kankí
Kankí
Yellow agave
The remains of the architecture, rising up magnificently amid the surrounding jungle, are early examples of Maya art developed in the region. The site conserves structures that create interlinking courtyards, and a palace shows traces of its previous decoration.
About the site

A medium-sized archeological site built in the monumental Puuc architectural style, Kanki allows us to observe various phases of its development over the years. In regard to its etymology, some speakers of Yucatec Maya refer to Kanki as meaning “yellow henequen,” while others suggest that the original name might have been Kancib, or “yellow wax,” in reference to the fact this product was produced in large quantities in ancient times. In fact, historical records of the Tenabo encomienda, dating from 1549, refer the inhabitants having to pay an annual tribute of “an ‘arroba’ and a half of honey and fifteen ‘arrobas’ of wax,” among many other products. Juan García de Llanos of the former town of San Francisco de Campeche, was the “encomendero” at that time. “Arrobas” were units of measurement equivalent to 25 pounds. Those fifteen arrobas of wax in the mid-sixteenth century would have weighed just over 379 pounds.

The main buildings of Kanki were built on an area of ground just over 33 feet higher than the surrounding land, though there are also smaller and more modest residential constructions built on the kankab or red soil that surrounds the nucleus of the larger structures.

Underground cisterns or chultunes were built near the palaces and residential areas in order to capture rainwater, near the palaces and domestic complexes—an important aspect of this pre-Hispanic settlement. Each one has a capacity of between 13,200 and 23,800 gallons. There are three water reservoirs or depressions in the nearby plain of reddish earth, where rainwater accumulates every year, and this undoubtedly played a part in the local inhabitants’ daily lives.

Today visitors to the site can access the Edificio de la Crestería ("Roof Comb Building”), the Casa del Oriente ("House of the East"), the Edificio de Escalera Invertida ("Building of the Inverted Stairs"), the Casa de los Veinte Aposentos ("House of the Twenty Chambers") and a part of the Southeast Courtyard. These buildings reveal different moments in the development of Puuc architecture between the years 600 and 850 AD.

The Kanki site also includes two important limestone lintels: one features the representation of the god of trade, and the other shows a warrior. These artefacts are now on display in the archeological museums of Campeche.

600- 850

Clásico Temprano a Clásico Tardío

Did you know...
  • In the Building of the Inverted Stairs we can see the transition from the Petén to the Puuc architectural style (600-650 AD).
  • The Roof Comb Building, constructed between 700 and 750 AD, was originally painted red.
  • Maya building layouts typically include rectangular or square courtyards.
An expert point of view
Antonio Benavides Castillo
Antonio Benavides Castillo
Centro INAH Campeche
Archeological site
Kankí
Practical information
Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00 hrs.

Free entry


  • No Smoking
  • No entry with food
  • Pets not allowed
  • COM_CCK_Prohibido_tomar_fotografias
  • COM_CCK_Prohibido_tomar_video
  • No Flash
Se localiza a 16 km al sureste de Tenabo, al norte del estado de Campeche.

Kankí se ubica a unos 60 km al noreste de la ciudad de Campeche.

From the city of Campeche take Federal Highway 180 towards Tenabo; there, an asphalted road runs for 15 km to the town of Kankí, where a dirt road leads to the pre-Hispanic site. The last two km may be difficult to transit during the rainy season due to the mud.

Services
  • Centro de atención al visitante
  • Estacionamiento
  • Módulo de información
  • +52 (981) 816 8179
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Directory
Encargada de Operación de Zonas Arqueológicas del Centro INAH Campeche
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+52 (981) 816 9136, exts. 138016 y 138017
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INAH-Zona Arqueológica Kankí
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INAH-Zona Arqueológica Kankí
Sureste
Los restos de su arquitectura, cuya magnificencia realza la selva que rodea el sitio, son manifestaciones tempranas del arte maya que se desarrolló en esta región. Conserva estructuras que forman patios comunicados entre sí, y un palacio donde se aprecian huellas de la decoración.
The remains of the architecture, rising up magnificently amid the surrounding jungle, are early examples of Maya art developed in the region. The site conserves structures that create interlinking courtyards, and a palace shows traces of its previous decoration.
Agave de color amarillo
Yellow agave

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