Chicanná

Chicanná was a Maya city that was built during the Classic period (600 A.D. to 830 A.D.). The site was named after its most famous building, Structure II, which means "House of the Serpent Mouth" in Maya. In the Maya language chi means "mouth", can means "serpent" and na means "house". The site is located two kilometers west of Becán in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve of the Mexican state of Campeche on the Yucatán Peninsula. It is one of 45 other ruin sites located within that area. Chicanná was inhabited from the late Preclassic period in the year 300 B.C. to the early Posclassic period in 1100 A.D., but was thought to have reached its peak from 500 to 800 A.D. There is evidence that Chicanná may have been dependent on Becán for much of its existence, since Becán was self-sufficient. Chicanná is one of the most striking examples in the region of the mixing of architectural styles with its stunning detailed buildings. Its buildings have features of the Río Bec, Chenes and even the Puuc style from the north. It does not have large pyramids, but relatively small buildings with great ornateness and high quality of decoration including monumental masks of the god Itzamná in the structures suggests that it was a center for the Río Bec region elite whose capital was the city of Becán. The city of Chicanná is widely known for one of its well-preserved doorways with interesting detail representing the face of Itzamná; the city reached its prime during the late classical period. The city of Chicanná is small. However, it is considered to be home for the elites and rulers of Becán. After continuous research on Chicanná site, knowledge grew which eventually led to the questioning of previous ideas associated with the style of sculptures in central Yucatán. Jack D. Eaton rediscovered Chicanná in 1966 during his exploration of the Yucatán. Chicanná is a site that takes advantage of the natural elevation found in the region so structures seem higher and, for the Maya, closer to the god. This settlement was most used for important spiritual ceremonies and rituals for the Mayans.