Chicanna — Structure XX, Central Plaza Pyramid
Maya Late Classic, c.600–830 CE·Maya (Río Bec – Chenes)·🇲🇽 Campeche, Río Bec Region, Chicanna, Mexico
About
About Chicanna — Structure XX, Central Plaza Pyramid
Main pyramid Structure XX at Chicanna (c.600–830 CE, Late Classic Río Bec-Chenes transition), 12 m high temple-pyramid. Small tiered pyramid with Chenes false doorway and Río Bec twin-tower top? Actually tower-less but mask-panelled. INAH (Benavides 1970s) restored stucco masks of Itzamná. Elite plaza group B elite near Becan.
Why it mattersChenes–Río Bec stylistic bridge; mask art best preserved in region.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Río Bec towers absent at main pyramid
Theories
- 01Mask pyramid as mountain effigy (witz)
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.600 CE foundation, 750–800 CE mask phase
- Period
- Maya Late Classic, c.600–830 CE
- Culture
- Maya (Río Bec – Chenes)
- Builders
- Maya (Chicanna lineage)
- Purpose
- Elite temple-pyramid — ancestor shrine for plaza lineage
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.600 CE foundation, 750–800 CE mask phase
Initial construction / foundation
c.800 CE
Major refurbishment / enlargement phase
c.1500 CE
Abandonment or conversion
1890–1930
Modern rediscovery and first scientific survey
On the ground
Structures & features
18.5060° N · 89.4870° W · 150 m · 2 mapped features
Structure XX temple and mask panels (Itzamná)
templeUpper temple with zoomorphic Chenes mask panels flanking doorway
18.5061° N · 89.4869° WCentral plaza stela alignment
stelaeStelae row on plaza facing pyramid stair
18.5059° N · 89.4871° W