Belize

KaʼKabish

Maya city in Orange Walk District, Belize

Location

Explore the Map

Historical Context

About

KaʼKabish is an archaeological site in the Orange Walk District of Belize, Central America, located near the Maya sites of Lamanai, El Pozito, and Blue Creek. It was once a moderate sized city, built as part of the Maya civilization, and has been determined to have been largely autonomous throughout its history. The modern communities of Indian Church and San Filipe are in close proximity to KaʼKabish, and the Mennonite community of Blue Creek is slightly further afield. A road connecting Indian Church to San Filipe separates the site into two areas, the North Complex and the South Complex. Alfredo Barrera Vasquez's Diccionario Maya defines the name as; "KAʼKAB-IS-AX 10: (place name); kaʼkab: village, the seat of population, high land and strong; is: Ipomoea batatas, Lam: sweet + ax: wart; name of the archaeological ruins located near Numkʼini (Nun kʼini, Campeche)." The current name of the site is believed to be relatively modern, but its origin has resisted attempts to be traced.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Initial occupation

c. 400 BCE–200 CE

Occupied through Classic Period

c. 900 CE

Residential occupation persisted

c. 1200 CE

Identified for study

1990

Formative mapping and survey

1995

KARP groundwork begun

2005

First KARP field season

2007

North Complex remapped

2009

Excavations began

2010

Subsequent excavation seasons

2011, 2013, 2015

Structures recorded

2013

Land purchase down payment

July 2015

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Storage Structures

Storage Pits
category

Water Management Features

Cisterns
category

Public and Civic Structures

PlazasAdministrative Buildings
category

Burial and Funerary Structures

Tombs
category

Religious and Ritual Structures

Temples
category

Artistic and Decorative Features

MuralsInscriptions
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

CitiesVillagesPalaces
category

Transportation and Communication Structures

Roads
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore

Plan Your Visit

Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information

Reference

Details

Country

Belize

Coordinates

17.82° N, -88.73° E