Archaeology of Cahal Pech - National Institute of Culture and History
Pre-History
Archaeological investigations from 1988 to 2002 indicate that Cahal Pech was first settled
sometime around 1200 B.C. and abandoned around 800 -900 A.D. The site is particularly
important for the information it has provided on the earliest Maya settlers of western Belize.
Early cultural remains, for example, suggest that the site’s first inhabitants were relatively
sophisticated. They built large circular platforms that were used for ceremonial purposes, they
carved many Mesoamerican or Olmec-like symbols on their pottery, imported jade and obsidian
from Guatemala, modeled many figurines in the form of female individuals, and produced
decorative beads that were made from Conch shells brought from the Caribbean coast.
During the Late Preclassic period (300 B.C. – 300 A.D.) Cahal Pech became one of the most
important centers in the Belize River Valley region. A relatively large temple (Structure B-4) from
this phase has been conserved and can be seen at the site. Also at Cahal Pech, and dating to
this phase, is the earliest carved stela yet recovered in Belize. The stela depicts a human
individual within the maw (mouth) of a jaguar or monster and may represent one of the early
rulers of the site.
During the Classic period (300 – 900 A.D.) growth continued unabated and today's visitor can
see many of the large palaces and temples that were built at this time. The architecture of this
period is particularly interesting with its many interconnecting passages that link enclosed
courtyard groups with the larger plazas.
Unlike most of the other large sites in the Belize River Valley, Cahal Pech was abandoned
sometime during the latter part of the 9th century A.D. Why did this decline occur earlier here
than at other regional centers? Possibly because the site was conquered by a more powerful
neighbor and its inhabitants were forced to switch allegiance to their new overlord. Despite its
fall, however, it appears that during the Terminal Classic (A.D. 900-1000) some people either
continued living in the main courtyard or periodically visited the once sacred and important
center to conduct rituals in the plaza. The latter is indicated by large deposits of effigy whistles,
ceramic vessels, projectile points, and deer bones that were discovered flanking the stairways
of all the buildings in Plaza A.
The Site
During its occupation, the site would have looked very different than it does today. The buildings
would have been covered in stucco (plaster) and painted predominantly in red and white. The
courtyards would have also been thickly plastered and similarly painted. Like modern cities,
there would have been few, if any, trees in the site core and heavily populated areas. During
market days and for important ceremonies, many of the inhabitants living in the valley would
likely have congregated in Plaza B to participate in the events. Important visitors to the site
would have been received in Structure A-2.
1/3
Archaeology of Cahal Pech - National Institute of Culture and History
Buildings outside the site center were predominantly made with pole and thatch superstructures
erected atop stone platforms or directly on the ground. These structures would have been
covered with plaster on the floors and walls in a similar fashion to those buildings in the site
core. Painted and stucco decorations on these houses, however, were either absent or very
crude.
Population
Cahal Pech supported a substantial population from the Middle Preclassic to the Late Classic
period. It is estimated that during the Late Classic between 10,000 – 15,000 people lived in the
city and its' immediate periphery. The rest of the valley was also densely populated during this
time, and residents of Cahal Pech undoubtedly traded and communicated with their neighbours
at the nearby cities of Xunantunich, Baking Pot, El Pilar and Buena Vista. Architecture
The architecture at Cahal Pech is similar to other sites in the southern Maya Lowlands and
particularly with those sites in the upper Belize Valley. The Maya cut limestone blocks from
nearby quarries and used lime plaster to bond them. In the site core many of the structures
have vaulted (or corbelled) roofs. This type of arch is not as strong as a true arch and can only
span narrow spaces. Consequently, the majority of rooms in their buildings are long and narrow.
This did not preoccupy the Maya for like all tropical cultures they probably spent most of their
time outdoors. Palace Structures
Cahal Pech has a number of palace groups in the western section of the site. Most of the elite
residences have masonry superstructures with vaulted roofs, long rooms and large benches.
The rooms were used for both domestic and administrative purposes. Access to areas used by
the ruling elite was also extremely limited. Plaza A, for example, can only be accessed through
the central doorway of Structure A-2 (an elite residence and administrative building), or via two
narrow vaulted passageways to the south and west of the courtyard. Trade and
Commerce
Cahal Pech is known to have actively participated in both short and long distance trade. As
early as the Middle Preclassic period (1000 B.C.) its inhabitants began acquiring Conch shells
from the Caribbean, obsidian from the highlands of Guatemala, jade from the Motagua River
and probably salt from the Yucatan Peninsula. Short distance trade included goods produced
locally and may have included ceramics, copal incense, feathers, and cacao. The location of
the site, at the confluence of the eastern and western branches of the Belize River, also placed
the city at the crossroad of an important network for exchange and communication. Graffiti
Several examples of graffiti have been uncovered at Cahal Pech. On structure F-2
archaeologists found two examples of graffiti carved onto ceramic sherds. One of these depicts
2/3
Archaeology of Cahal Pech - National Institute of Culture and History
a ruler sitting in his temple, arm outstretched and finger pointing. The second displays the
image of the rain god, Chac. These images were produced by someone skilled in drawing and
suggest that those living at Structure F2 may have been artisans. Figurines
Hundreds of Middle to Late Preclassic figurines have been found at Cahal Pech. These
figurines consist of three basic types, including anthropomorphs (human forms), zoomorphs
(animal forms), and figurine whistles. The figurines are all hand-molded and with the exception
of the whistles, are all solid. Figurines and whistles dating to the Late Classic period have also
been found at the western base of Str. A-2. Most of these artifacts were discovered in a
post-abandonment cache that included partially complete ceramic vessels and chert
arrowheads. The whistles and figurines are stylistically similar to those found at the island of
Jaina, (a Terminal Classic necropolis) off the Yucatan Peninsula.
Ballcourts
There are two ballcourts at Cahal Pech, one just west of the acropolis, and the second in Plaza
C. The latter, or eastern court, has been consolidated, allowing visitors to see the construction
techniques of these special buildings. Although the associated structures and rules of this
ancient game varied somewhat from region to region, the 'ballgame' was an important part of
Maya culture. According to the Popol Vuh (sacred book of the Quiche Maya), the game was a
ritual where those destined to be sacrificed were first “defeated” by their captors. Some
archaeologists suggest that it was also a game played for entertainment and in which players
obtained honor and prestige through their play. Abandonment
The ancient city of Cahal Pech was abandoned around 850 A.D. During the "collapse" of the
southern Maya lowlands the Maya people did not disappear. Conversely, they abandoned some
of their older cities and moved into new areas such as the coastal regions of Belize, in highland
Guatemala, and throughout the northern Yucatan Peninsula. Their system of government also
changed from a single divine ruler to a confederation with multiple leaders. Maritime trade
gained new importance and a more powerful merchant class developed. When the Spanish
arrived in the Yucatan in 1521, Maya society was thriving. Numerous cities and communities
were prospering in the upper Belize Valley, the Yucatan Peninsula, and in Guatemala.
Unfortunately, Spanish colonialism and new diseases introduced by the Europeans decimated
thousands of these people. But the Maya are resilient and today there are over 8 million Maya
people living in Guatemala, 3 million living in Mexico and thousands more in Belize. Cahal
Pech and other large sites stand as silent testimonies of their past achievements.
3/3