Multimedia Resources

Photos

Photos

Photos » Places » The Acropolis at Ek Balam

(5 objects, created 1/26/2012)

Download multiple objects in a ZIP file

Album: This is a private album that is not visible to anonymous users The Acropolis at Ek Balam

Summary:

Date:

The city of Ek Balam in east-central Yucatan has been inhabited since the fourth century after Christ, but did not reach its apogee until the Late Classic. The name itself means "Black" or "Dark Jaguar," referring to the founder of the empire Talol, acording to sixteenth-century sources. The archaeological zone spans some 12 square kilometers, but the urban core area was limited to about 3 km2 and was protected by three stone walls. Into the city center, where the elites resided, there were 5 entrances, each the beginning of a sacbe, or causeway. The city is known for its stelae, carved monuments, and the most elaborate of its constructions, the Acropolis, shown here. (Image Credit: Michelle Williamson, Ideum)

The city of Ek B...

The Acroposis measures 160m long by 70m wide and 31m high. From its summit, a viewer can look out over miles and miles of forest. The tomb of the ruler Ukit Kan Lek Tok was found inside the Acropolis, with a glyph identifying his personnage. This mural adorns the face of a temple midway up to the summit, facing the city. (Image Credit: Michelle Williamson, Ideum)

The Acroposis me...

Detail from the relief mural of the Acropolis. (Image Credit: Michelle Williamson, Ideum)

Detail from the ...

Detail from the relief mural of the Acropolis. (Image Credit: Michelle Williamson, Ideum)

Detail from the ...

Detail from the relief mural of the Acropolis. (Image Credit: Michelle Williamson, Ideum)

Detail from the ...

.