Archaeologists Discover Residential Complexes at Mayan City of Capah
Introduction
Archaeologists in Mexico have discovered two residential complexes, including a building resembling a palace, at the nearly 1,500-year-old Mayan city of Capah on the Yucatan Peninsula.
First Evidence of Residential Structures
The team discovered the buildings, which are the first evidence of residential structures at the archaeological site, during excavations as part of the Maya Railroad project, a 1,500 km (930 mile) railway that will run through the Yucatan Peninsula.
INAH archaeologists describe residential buildings in the Kaba archaeological zone - https://t.co/bdiuPJcymirice.twitter.com/ycVi6vxHKN
The Palace-like Structure
The palace-like structure stands 26 meters (85 feet) high and features carvings of birds, feathers and beads, Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) said in a statement. The facade of the building contains a portico with eight columns, which are rectangular columns protruding from the walls.
INAH archaeologists describe living quarters in the Kabakh archaeological site
😱 The interior of this location contains many primers with rejuvenating effects. #Yucatanhttps://t.co/mDTnhrMITSrice.twitter.com/c8q9x1fosT
Arqueologos del #INAH Describes residential buildings in the archaeological zone of Kaba.
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Residential Complex for the Elite
The palace and other residential complex were living quarters for the elite, where people slept, ate and lived their daily lives, said Lourdes Toscano Hernandez, an archaeologist at the National Institute of Natural History who led the team.
Toscano Hernandez noted that the buildings housed a group of people who ran the city, although their names are unknown.
Toscano-Hernandez added that the buildings could also be used for administrative functions, noting that public meetings could be held nearby.
Toscano-Hernandez said the carvings of birds, feathers and beads on the palace structure may have symbolized the relationship between the elite who lived in the buildings and the Mayan gods.
In a statement, the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History explained that until recently, the residential complexes, like other parts of the ancient city, were covered with plants. It is unclear exactly when it was built, but the city was founded sometime between 250 and 500 AD by people who came from the Petén region, an area that includes Guatemala and Belize. Toscano Hernandez added that the city’s first governor may have lived in these buildings.
Inside the buildings, archaeologists found remains of pottery, including painted vessels and pottery that had utilitarian uses, the statement said. Research on the site is still ongoing.
Source: Living Science
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