Kankí
Archeological site
Kankí
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.
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.
- Dirección del Centro INAHAdriana Velazquez Morletadriana_velazquezm@inah.gob.mx+52 (981) 816 9111Operación de Zonas Arqueológicas del Centro INAHCandelaria del Carmen Duarte Patzarqueologicas.camp@inah.gob.mx+52 (981) 816 9111, ext.138016
Edificio 1 o de la Crestería
The structure is in the process of exploration. On the east side there is a wide frieze decorated with several stucco masks very destroyed by the passage of time.
Edificio 1 o de la Crestería
The structure is in the process of exploration. On the east side there is a wide frieze decorated with several stucco masks very destroyed by the passage of time. On the roof there is a mask of prominent nose flanked by rectangular windows, which corresponds to the representation of Kinich Ahau, solar deity.
Bóveda de Escalera Invertida
Originally it had four rooms, each with independent entrance. The Mayan vault that is preserved was made with long slabs placed in a projecting way, but showing its edges, in a way that reminds us of a staircase seen from the top.
Bóveda de Escalera Invertida
Originally it had four rooms, each with independent entrance. The Mayan vault that is preserved was made with long slabs placed in a projecting way, but showing its edges, in a way that reminds us of a staircase seen from the top. This technique corresponds to the transition between the Petén works and the beginning of Puuc architecture. Therefore, the construction is dated between the years 600 to 650 of our era (Proto-Puuc phase).
Detail of the Inverted Staircase Vault Building: Cut of one of the four rooms that allows us to understand why this building is called “with inverted staircase vault”.
Casa del Oriente
It receives its name because it is located to the east of Building 1 or the Crestería. It is a construction of several rooms in ruins but with parts of the vaults still standing.
Patio Sureste
Only slight interventions have been made to stop the deterioration of some sectors of the south building, which was the main construction of the complex, with two levels of rooms.
Patio Sureste
Only slight interventions have been made to stop the deterioration of some sectors of the south building, which was the main construction of the complex, with two levels of rooms. The access staircase is in the center of the building and was a cantilevered staircase, that is to say, behind it there was a half arch that allowed circulation.
Casa de los 20 aposentos
It was erected in the southwest sector of the site's core, leveling a natural elevation. The main axis of the construction runs east-west and the 20 rooms are arranged in pairs; half south and half north.
Casa de los 20 aposentos
