Calakmul is a Maya archaeological site in the Mexican state
of Campeche, deep in the jungles of the greater Peten Basin region. It is 35
kilometres (22 mi) from the Guatemalan border. Calakmul was one of the largest
and most powerful ancient cities ever uncovered in the Maya lowlands.
Calakmul was a major Maya power within the northern Peten
region of the Yucatan of southern Mexico. Calakmul administered a large domain
marked by the extensive distribution of their emblem glyph of the snake head
sign, to be read "Kaan". Calakmul was the seat of what has been
dubbed the Kingdom of the Snake or Snake Kingdom. This Snake Kingdom reigned
during most of the Classic period. Calakmul itself is estimated to have had a
population of 50,000 people and had governance, at times, over places as far
away as 150 kilometers. There are 6,750 ancient structures identified at
Calakmul; the largest of which is the great pyramid at the site. Structure 2 is
over 45 metres (148 ft) high, making it one of the tallest of the Maya
pyramids. Four tombs have been located within the pyramid. Like many temples or
pyramids within Mesoamerica the pyramid at Calakmul increased in size by
building upon the existing temple to reach its current size. The size of the
central monumental architecture is approximately 2 square kilometres (0.77 sq
mi) and the whole of the site, mostly covered with dense residential
structures, is about 20 square kilometres (7.7 sq mi). Sources
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