Learn about the history of the ancient ruins of Dzibilchaltun, another of the many archaeological sites you can find in Mexico. Going on a tour of the Mayan ruins in Cancun is also a must if you are visiting there. We recommend staying at the different hotels in Cancun of the oasis hotel group to discover part of its tourist attractions. You will love it!

The archaeological site of Dzibilchaltun

Ubicado en el estado de Mérida, la zona arqueológica de Dzibilchaltun fue un importante asentamiento que llegó a ser uno de los más grandes de la península del Yucatán. According to experts in the field, it is believed that there were settlements in the territory from 500 BC until the arrival of the Spanish in 1540 AD.

The meaning of Dzibilchaltun comes from the Maya, specifically from the four words that mean the following: dzib translates as writing, il is a locative, chal flat and tun means stone, which when put together means ”place where there is writing on flat stones”.

If you want to get to know it from the inside, as well as learn about its history thanks to the collections of the Museo Pueblo Maya, the hours are Monday to Sunday from 8:00 AM to 17:00 PM. The Museo Pueblo Maya is not open on Mondays and is open from 8:00 AM to 16:00 PM. The entrance fee is around 75 pesos.

What will you find in the Mayan Village Museum? Divided into 4 rooms, here you will see pre-Hispanic sculptures, ceramic objects, constructions to explain the Mayan culture and much more.

The past of Dzibilchaltun

At present, 12 roads or sacbes leading from the center to the different structures are preserved. Around 8,300 buildings have been found and experts believe that up to 40,000 people lived in this territory, making it one of the largest settlements of that time.

Temple of the 7 dolls

It is one of the most remarkable constructions of the ruins of Dzibilchaltun that receives its name from the offering found inside: seven large clay figures in human form, although it has also been called ”temple of the sun”.

In addition to this amazing find, an open chapel was also seen in which religion is believed to have been taught. Nor can we forget that the access door of the temple of the dolls is part of the process of the solar phenomenon known as equinox.

How is this possible? the sun creates a play of shadows and lights on the façade of the main gate that is worth admiring during several days of the year: around the 20th of March, 20th of June, 20th of September and 20th of December, one for each season. Thanks to the equinoxes the Mayas planned their lives, in spring they sowed and in autumn they harvested.

Near the temple of the 7 dolls you will find another similar structure that is believed to have had the same functions as the aforementioned building.

Xcalah Cenote

To take a dip after visiting the archaeological site for hours you have the wonderful cenote Xcalah, which means ”old town”.

It is considered one of the deepest ever found in the Yucatan Peninsula. Inside and in the vicinity of the site, offerings were found that the ancient Maya left there, which are essential to understand their life and customs.