
Tabasqueño
Monumental architecture in the Chenes style, the principal structure or Palace-Temple has a superb facade with designs of animals. Its inhabitants had incredible skills for supplying water to the community by drawing from two springs deep in caves as well as constructing a series of chultunes (cisterns) for collecting rainwater.
Given Tabasqueño’s location, on raised ground, the site’s former inhabitants accessed water from two sources: two springs to the east and the west of the settlement’s central area; two caves in the middle of the site; and a series of “chultunes” or underground rainwater collection reservoirs. These cisterns were generally bell- or bottle-shaped and coated in stucco to prevent filtration, and they could store between 1,300 to almost 16,000 gallons of water.
The main buildings at Tabasqueño form three architectural groups. The constructions are characteristic of the Chenes style of architecture, dating from the Late Classic (650-850 AD) and notable for the profusely decorated façades. In Group 1 there are remains of Structure 1 or the “Palace-Temple”, the most well-known construction at the site with an imposing zoomorphic façade. This two-tier building is abutted to the south by a plaza measuring 200 feet (north-south) by 130 feet (east-west).
The concentration of monumental architecture and presence of hieroglyphic sculptures and inscriptions strengthens the argument that Tabasqueño was an important regional settlement given the rarity of Chenes sites with hieroglyphic inscriptions and reliefs. Santa Rosa Xtampak and the eight stelae reported there are located some 28 miles away as the crow flies. Dzibilnocac, which also has stelae and monoliths, is located 17 miles from Tabasqueño. San Miguel Pakchén (Xpulyaxché de Maler), where a small stela has been found, is located just three miles to the northwest. In that same direction, but 20 miles from Tabasqueño, is an archeological site called Dzehkabtún which has various stelae with glyphs and a number of sculptures.
Teobert Maler (1895) was the first person to discover and report on the site. Eduard Seler (1916) described the main building based on the earlier studies. Alberto Ruz (1945) mentioned some details of the buildings that were still standing. Ricardo Robina (1956) reported on architectural details and the layout of the buildings on a terraced hill. Harry Pollock (1970) summarized the existing information and drew up a detailed study of his visit to Structure 1, at that time one of the finest examples of the Chenes façade style. David Potter (1977) made a brief summary of the information from Tabasqueño. Paul Gendrop (1983) drew the site’s buildings and made their comparison easier. Abel Morales and Betty Faust (1986) made the first archeo-astronomical analyses of the site. Renée Zapata (1987) drew up a preliminary map of Tabasqueño. George F. Andrews (1986) contributed with further architectural details about Tabasqueño. Sprajc and Sánchez Nava (2013) reassessed and studied various issues of the site’s pre-Hispanic astronomy.
Agustín Peña undertook the earliest conservation works at Tabasqueño in 1979. Antonio Benavides C. (1992) carried out consolidation work on the tower and some sectors of the Palace. Later, under the supervision of Ramón Carrasco (2003), work was carried out at the Palace-Temple, Structure 1-A and Structure 3. Sara Novelo and Antonio Benavides C. were responsible for overseeing the transport of sculptures (2009) and carved stones (2013).
- 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
Grupo 1
Here are the remains of a tower, a pyramidal base and Structure 1 or Palace-Temple, the best known of the site for having an imposing zoomorphic facade.
Here are the remains of a tower, a pyramidal base and Structure 1 or Palace-Temple, the best known of the site for having an imposing zoomorphic facade.
To scarce 100 m to the south of Group 1 are other structures still not visitable that correspond to Group 2, where there are several monumental buildings distributed around squares, in some of which parts of vaulted rooms are still standing. As for Group 3, it is located about 80 m to the west of Group 1 and its mounds reflect monumental architecture. The visit to these last two architectural groups is restricted, because they are still in the process of registration; in them there are no explored or consolidated buildings.
The Palace-Temple: This building has eight rooms on the first level, two of them right under the stairway. On the second floor only the north-facing room of the temple is preserved, since the south-facing room collapsed years ago. Enhancing the monumentality of the building, on the roof there was an openwork wall or crestería with stucco figures, of which only some remains exist.
The north façade, one of the best examples of Chenes architecture, exhibits the image of a large stone mosaic mask representing the Monster of the Earth, Itzamná, opening its jaws. Its upper central incisors adopt the form of a T, showing the sign associated with the solar deity and with the meaning of breath, life, germination. Its large mouth is again a T, but appears inverted. The deity is also replicated in both corners with rimeros or cascades of eight hook-nosed masks.
In several rooms of the first level there are traces of painting in its interior. Apparently, in the inclined panel of the vaults there were scenes in red color framed by thick blue bands.
Monumento 1
It shows a character reclining on an unidentified element but which could be a calendrical name, possibly “One Monkey”.
It shows a character reclining on an unidentified element but which could be a calendrical name, possibly “One Monkey”.
Monumento 2
It represents a character with both legs in movement, looking upwards and in a dynamic attitude. His belt has two crossed bands and the upper part of the ornament he wears under his back seems to have scrolls of smoke or vegetable leaves.
It represents a character with both legs in movement, looking upwards and in a dynamic attitude. His belt has two crossed bands and the upper part of the ornament he wears under his back seems to have scrolls of smoke or vegetable leaves. Under the right foot and the left knee there is a hieroglyphic cartouche with the sign Ik, associated with the solar deity. In his hands he could be holding a rattle. It is possible that it is a representation of the wind god.
Monumento 3
It was partially preserved. Only a torso from which the arms, the left leg and part of the truss are visible. On the left hand it seems to carry an elongated element. We also observe large and coarse hieroglyphs. The lower sign could be read as 2 Oc (Two Dog), a possible calendrical name.
It was partially preserved. Only a torso from which the arms, the left leg and part of the truss are visible. On the left hand it seems to carry an elongated element. We also observe large and coarse hieroglyphs. The lower sign could be read as 2 Oc (Two Dog), a possible calendrical name.
Monumento 4
Here we see a standing feline. One of its claws seems to protect or grasp a circular motif that resembles the sign muyal (cloud). The claw shows four circles like a bracelet and on the head it seems to wear a headdress.
Here we see a standing feline. One of its claws seems to protect or grasp a circular motif that resembles the sign muyal (cloud). The claw shows four circles like a bracelet and on the head it seems to wear a headdress. Under the feline and the circular motif there is a rattlesnake, clearly identified by the elongated shape, the rattlesnake and the triangular marks on the body.
Torre
Erected to the southwest of the Palace-Temple, it has a quadrangular plan, measures 1.50 m per side and had protruding spikes at the top that were used to place stucco motifs and cast shadows. Its height is a little less than 5 m and to reach its base there is a ramp.
Erected to the southwest of the Palace-Temple, it has a quadrangular plan, measures 1.50 m per side and had protruding spikes at the top that were used to place stucco motifs and cast shadows. Its height is a little less than 5 m and to reach its base there is a ramp. Its location in an elevated sector probably obeys to the fact that this facilitated the observation of the sunrise and sunset. Abel Morales verified that this construction presents a deviation of 7 degrees to the east of the north. He also commented that it was important to register solstices and equinoxes, while suggesting that the shadows of the sun could indicate the beginning and end of agricultural tasks. Similarly, he noted that the variation of shadows may have served to mark the passage of time throughout the day.
The astronomical orientation of Tabasqueño buildings reminds us of the deep interest of pre-Hispanic priests in the night sky. In fact, practically all the monumental architecture of the Maya settlements is linked to diverse astronomical phenomena from the earliest times of the development of that civilization, or Preclassic period, which began several centuries before our era.
Estructura 3
It is a basal platform of reduced dimensions. It consists of four bodies and it is located to the east of the Tower. In him two small cylindrical altars are appreciated, one at the foot of the stairway and another before passing to the sanctuary of the superior part.
It is a basal platform of reduced dimensions. It consists of four bodies and it is located to the east of the Tower. In him two small cylindrical altars are appreciated, one at the foot of the stairway and another before passing to the sanctuary of the superior part. The first body lacks well-cut ashlars, as is common in most of the construction; they were probably removed in the last decades of occupation of the site, and it is worth noting the presence of alfardas, a common element in the Río Bec and Chenes architectures.



