Ek Balam

Black Jaguar

It was at the height of its importance as a city during the Late Classic period (600-900 A.D.)

Beneath the outermost layer of walls the team of archaeologists discovered the amazing tomb of the ruler of Ek Balam. What's even more amazing is the exquisite and awesome stucco wall making up the opening of the tomb. The doorway itself is made in the shape of a jaguar's mouth with fearsome looking fangs all around it. There are full figure statues with so much detail you can see the braids in their hair and the pattern of their loincloths. Hieroglyphs of corn sit next to warriors with skulls on their belts. In some places you can see some wall paintings in excellent shape. This unique stucco wall takes the breath away from even the most seasoned ruin buff and is in itself reason enough to visit Ek Balam. Its equal cannot be found anywhere else in the Mayan World.