city of ek'balam took its name from the noble person-leader with same name and meaning "black jaguar". only the very special people were holding that name since jaguars, and especially black ones, are highly valuable in maya society. large pyramid in the distance has huge molded jaguar mouth clearly visible from where this photos were taken. all the structures on this south plaza are from the most important cultural period - late classic [700-900 ad] but city itself existed much earlier. most of the buildings were built over older ones, sometimes using stones from the demolished ones. stones were not carved as in some other maya cities [like old chichen itza] but covered with molded stucco and richly painted both inside and out. remains of the bright paints are still visible on some spots.

.................plaza sur, ek'balam, jucatan, mexico, 2008

atmosphere on this ceremonial square surrounded by very important buildings is hard to imagine now without people and colours. most of the structures are of a religious character but some of them were used as a living quoters for selected few. modern climbers to these pyramids are complaining for unpleasant height of the stairs. their main purpose was to be stands for various mayan ceremonies performed on the square. interestingly this square being unique and used quite differently from the squares we are used to in western civilization, still have that sense of special gathering space. famous stone sculpture with head inside the serpent mouth is found in the so called twin pyramid with two temples on the top.

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:: ..c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ... s y s t e m.. ::
sociability	7	:: more about the evaluation method ::		ceremonial		:: more about the types of squares ::
uses & activities	7			religious	x
access & linkages	8			social
comfort	10			residential
image	10			court yard
tourist value	10			with park
total	52			street, shopping

other squares in nederland
rotterdam 01	rotterdam 02	rotterdam 03
shiedam 04	amsterdam05	amsterdam06
amsterdam07	gouda 08	maastricht 09
zierikzee 10	zierikzee 11	vlissingen 12
delft 13	.
other squares in mexico
ek"balam 01	chichenitza02	chichenitza03
playa 04	playa 05	valadolid 06
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