Though many people are familiar with the achievements of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, halfway across the world the Maya were doing much of the same thing. For thousands of years, the Central American society produced some of the best art, architecture and astronomical work of its time. Today, the well-known structures attract adventure travel enthusiasts from around the globe.
Of all the important Mayan cities, few are quite as famous as Caracol. Situated in Cayo District of Belize, archeologists speculate that Caracol was among the most crucial political centers of the Mayan civilization. Even by modern standards, Caracol is an impressive achievement. The center covers about 200 square kilometers and is significantly larger than the biggest city in Belize.
Experts estimate that the area was first occupied as far back as 1,200 B.C., but they say Caracol really began to thrive in the so-called Maya Classic era, which lasted between 250 and 960 A.D. At its height, Caracol may have been home to an estimated 180,000 people.
Though there is no lack of interesting sites in Caracol, one of the most well-known is the Caana pyramid. Sometimes referred to as the Sky Palace, at 140 feet tall Caana is tallest manmade structure in Belize and is one of the central features of Caracol.
Caracol: The crowning achievement of the Maya
Posted on Monday, July 2nd, 2012
