Caracol Caana Summit Palace
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇧🇿 Cayo, Caracol, Belize
About
About Caracol Caana Summit Palace
Caracol Caana Summit Palace in Cayo, Caracol, Belize is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 16.7630N -89.1180E controls access to Cayo resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Cayo, Caracol, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1991 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Caracol Caana Summit Palace main structure
c. 1931
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1991–2006
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Caracol Caana Summit Palace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
16.7630° N · 89.1180° W · 297 m · 3 mapped features
Caracol Caana Summit Palace — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
16.7638° N · 89.1171° WCaracol Caana Summit Palace — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
16.7620° N · 89.1187° WCaracol Caana Summit Palace — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
16.7645° N · 89.1168° W