THE GREAT MAYAN SITE:
Cerros
From the author of " The Devil's Magnet" another adventure begins !
Panchuk explores the old Mayan world to discover new ideas and how a site may have come to be on the water !
Site: Cerro's / Maritime site of the Mayan Empire
Country: Belize / North Corozal District near Corozal Town, Belize
Mayan Guide: Francisco Puck
Pre classic before 250BC :
Why would anyone go to Cerros in Belize to visit a Mayan ruin? Well, lets just say first, that some of the ruins have never been unearthed, that is, dug up and they are still holding their great secrets from the past ages of the Mayan empire. Cerros is unlike any other ruin of the Mayan's which made this site even more interesting for research into the past lives of this intelligent people. My first and foremost reasons were to see a maritime site and try to understand why its very existence was chosen on such a remote part of the water fronts of Belize area. Another reason was to uncover their boats, their exports, how far did they travel there by boat ? What did they trade for goods ? Why was this site used, and how does it differ from other sites more inland. Why are the rocks different, the stairs different from other sites, these are just some of the questions that made a visit to Cerros a great place to discover. Another issue was simply to see if the waterline at the sea walls built some were before 250BC would indicate any change in their water levels now.
My first thought on approaching Cerros was its amazing beautiful view of the extreme Western Caribbean sea and the Corozal Bay front area. The mounds or temples have endured all these centuries and indeed some have not yet been uncovered which adds to its great mysteries of the past, this gives you a great feeling like your the first one to arrive at this remote site. Unlike some Mayan temples the rocks used are rough making them unlike the rock found in the immediate area of the land in the district which creates a feeling of mystery when one thinks about the great empire and its large land holdings. I checked the rock sizes and even with the unfinished stone work, I did see that each rock is about the same size for the main building structures, also some very small stones were used in the construction of each foundation which leads me to suspect these were brought in from somewhere else. Is my own personal theory but Cerros was said to be the training of the Rulers and its perhaps this very fact that leads us towards something very different and it maybe that for this same reason the great stone stairways are larger and other sites. Each stair well could have held guards or perhaps rulers that were to be trained at each level. Cerros is truly not only worth seeing but worthy of some very deep thoughts. The stone must have been carried to the site but this now gives us a new question. How did the stones get there ? Were they carried there by boat ? or by land ? Why the great stones are carved and yet others appear unfinished ?
Cerros gives a hint that something may have a clue to its reasons that today we still struggle to understand. An example of this is the canal discovered only a few years ago was dug to isolate Cerros from the mainland which leads one to suspect the tribes may have began to war between themselves and this was cause to build a mote type defense against invaders. However, IF, this was not the reason than what else could have happened to create such a large canal system ? Perhaps it was to store all their boats loaded with imports and exports, or perhaps it was a safe haven for their fleet from Hurricanes. My mind runs through a lot of possible reasons for such a large scale canal to be built and its needs.
Birth Place of the Maya ?
Cerros is a site which is pre-classic Mayan period making it one of the oldest known at this time. Its possible that this was the birth place for math, art, and many of the skills that would later lead to the empire's rise. The site's area with it carvings are every indication that this was indeed the beings of Maya and the end of the Toltec period. Yes, there's a ball court and a water well but so much more to see in detail that only a few areas have been dug up to expose the truth about these great people.
ABOUT FRANCISCO PUCK
Our guide has worked with archeologist and film makers and he is an honor to join with you at this site. Francis likes to explain not only the stones, but the trees and natural setting around the site which can take a full day to visit if you spend time to enjoy both the man and his stories of the ancient Maya peoples. Mr Puck is proud of his people and understands their great past should not be ignored, they offer a glimpse into a very complicated social system of builders, warriors, trades people and farming.
Below Panchuk speaks with Francisco Puck ( Mayan ) about Cerros and its history on the waterfront
Taken by L.G. Jennings Photographer
The Meeting of Cerros and Maya temples
MORE !
The Maya Calendar ends on Dec. 21 / 2012
Click here for more stories and info
|
|---|
