Pol Box
Pol Box Archaeological Zone · North Calakmul Pol Box
Late Preclassic – Terminal Classic (c.300 BCE–950 CE) Río Bec – Chenes transition·Maya (Río Bec–Chenes–Peten fringe)·🇲🇽 Campeche, Calakmul Municipality, southern plateau, Mexico
About
About Pol Box
Pol Box is a jungle pyramid town on the karst plateau 48 km south-southwest of Xpujil in the Calakmul Biosphere fringe, Campeche, at 260 m. Occupied 300 BCE–950 CE, its twin-temple Río Bec-type pyramid (12m), Chenes-masked façades, vaulted palace courtyards (40×30m) and a 1-ha aguada mirror the north-south transition between Río Bec scatter and Chenes towering facades. C. Morales and the INAH Calakmul Project document carved altar panels and causeways linking Pol Box to Cheyokolnah and the El Resbalón–Yohnohb corridor, reconstructing Calakmul's southern hinterland.
Why it mattersPol Box is a jungle pyramid town on the karst plateau 48 km south-southwest of Xpujil in the Calakmul Biosphere fringe, Campeche, at 260 m. Occupied 300 BCE–950 CE, its twin-temple Río Bec-type pyramid (12m), Chenes-masked façades, vaulted palace courtyards (40×30m) and a 1-ha aguada mirror the nort Type-site defining regional sequence.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction
- 02Function of elite vs communal architecture
Theories
- 01Regional capital coordinating irrigation and exchange
- 02Ritual-ceremonial amphitheatre aligned to astronomy
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.300 BCE–900 CE
- Period
- Late Preclassic – Terminal Classic (c.300 BCE–950 CE) Río Bec – Chenes transition
- Culture
- Maya (Río Bec–Chenes–Peten fringe)
- Builders
- Maya (Pol Box lineage)
- Purpose
- Río Bec-fringe scatter-pyramid city with Chenes zoomorphic facades and palace courtyards in the Calakmul southern periphery
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.300 BCE–900 CE
Initial construction
c.800–900 CE
Major occupation / refurbishment
c.1000–1532
Late horizon / Inca incorporation where applicable
On the ground
Structures & features
18.1480° N · 89.6320° W · 260 m · 2 mapped features
Twin-Temple Río Bec Pyramid (Structure I)
pyramid12m twin-temple pyramid with Chenes masks and roofcomb remnants
18.1482° N · 89.6319° WPalace Courtyard and Aguada Reservoir
ancient city40×30m palace courtyard with vaulted rooms fronting 1 ha aguada
18.1477° N · 89.6322° W
Gallery