Kinichná
Archeological site
Kinichná
Part of the architectural complex formed by Dzibanché, Lamay and Tutil, although this was a minor city. Its main building, known as the Acropolis, is an interesting pyramid of three levels, whose broad staircase leads up to two temples placed laterally.
Kinichna was part of the Dzibanche settlement in the south of Quintana Roo. It could be said that Dzibanche was in reality an agglomeration of “sites” whose monumental architecture could be isolated from the residential continuum typical of the Mayan region.
The Kinichna group was built on a hill which formed part of the same area of higher ground occupied by the other groups of the archeological site. It was also the place where the first settlers of Dzibanche lived, owing to its proximity to a water source situated to the north. Over time the monumental center of the site moved towards the Escondido River which flanks Dzibanche.
The site was discovered in the early twentieth century by the archeologist Thomas W.F. Gann. Subsequently, in the 1970s, Peter Harrison viewed it as a separate archeological site from Dzibanche, and he gave it its present name; however several studies have led to Harrison’s theory being rejected.
The Kinichna group consists of a series of buildings around a plaza. Three of its sides were taken up by dwellings of very modest dimensions, while, by contrast, on the north side there is a monumental pyramid which dominates the landscape.
The two principal plinths of the Acropolis were built in the Late Preclassic. All the buildings which are currently visible are from the Early Classic. It would seem that there was an initial phase of construction in which temples were built from perishable materials on top of stonework platforms, and afterwards there were various stages of building platforms and new stone temples, all within the Early Classic.
The complex continued to operate during the Late and Terminal Classic, nevertheless it saw no significant modifications during these periods. Although it is possible to see the Peten style in its architecture, this was replaced in the middle of the Classic, approximately in the year 600, by temples with facades decorated with partially inset pilasters, very high double vaults with buttresses at the ends of the narrow galleries, and plinths with slope-and-panel construction, all of these characteristics belonging to a local style associated with the Kaan dynasty which was established during the Early Classic.
- Dirección del Centro INAHMargarito Molina Rendónmargarito_molina@inah.gob.mx+52 (983) 837 2411Administración del Centro INAHWilliams Ferneli Tun Cabwilliams_tun@inah.gob.mx+52 (983) 837 2411 ext. 318005
Acrópolis
It is a monument that experienced a vertiginous development during the Early Classic period. During that period it fulfilled a function related to the deification of the characters buried there, since the Mayan rulers acquired a divine status after their death.
Acrópolis
It is a monument that experienced a vertiginous development during the Early Classic period. During that period it fulfilled a function related to the deification of the characters buried there, since the Mayan rulers acquired a divine status after their death.
Temple of the Jaguar: At the beginning of the 20th century, archaeologist Thomas Gann reported that the building was covered with a layer of white stucco inside and out. It had also been painted bright red but, except in certain niches, the color had disappeared. On the west side there was a portion of stucco modeled with the representation of the sign “Ahau”. Much of this has been lost. In the upper part of the structure it was possible to recognize a building with two galleries. The highest points of the construction corresponded to the remains of a crestería.
Two burials were found in it: one of an adolescent individual (11-13 years old), probably female; the skeleton was found in good condition, placed on 2 metates. The other is a multiple burial in which two people and a jaguar were found, as well as 3 plates, 4 cajetes, ear spools and a funerary mask.
This structure can be dated to the Early Classic (ca. 250-450 A.D.).
Temple of the Pericos: It presents four architectural phases in its southern façade, of which the final presentation only allows to see the last two, corresponding to the Early Classic (250-450 A.D.) and Late Classic (600-700 A.D.).
Temple of Saraguato
Temple of the Turtles: The building stands on a platform, under it were found two staggered bodies; it has two galleries and a single access opening. In the west side it presents a substructure in whose inferior molding a mask that conserves something of its stucco covering decorated in red can be appreciated.
It has three funerary chambers: in the first one, two incomplete dishes of the Balanza Negro type were recovered; in the second one, remains of a dish of the Aguila Naranja type were found; while in the last one, human bones were found inside a wrapping of textile material, as well as beads, pearls, the eye of a funerary mask and three jade earrings in the shape of turtle shells.
The building dates from the Early Classic.
Temple of the Glyphs: Two funerary chambers were found in it: in the largest, located in the center of the basement, bone remains were recovered suggesting the presence of at least two individuals; while in the second one only a long bone was found, polished and engraved with glyphic inscriptions.
