The early Mayan civilization of Komchen was located in the Northern Lowlands Area of the Yucatan Peninsula. This civilization was the largest in the area throughout the Middle to Late Formative periods. Based on construction techniques, pottery remnants and also the results of C14 dating, it was determined that Komchen flourished during the Middle to Late Formative periods. By the 3rd Century A.D., the site was abandoned. Reasons for this collapse vary in theory from overpopulation, which led to a depletion of resources, disease, and the disintegration of a coastal trading pattern. At its peak, Komchen had a population of 2000 – 3000 people. The city covered an area of 2 square kilometers and had approximately 900 – 1000 structures, with a temple and adjacent plaza as its cultural core.
The Middle American Research Institute (MARI) of Tulane University, excavated the Komchen site from January through June of 1980. Dr. E. Wyllys Andrews V, the Director of MARI, and William Ringle III, a research fellow, have published several reports on the excavation in an attempt to understand this civilization. Items recovered during the excavation include stone, obsidian, stucco, shell, wood, glass, cloth, bone, teeth, antler, clay sherds and jade pendants.
One of the predominant finds during the excavation, was the ruins of the temple. The temple plaza covered an area of 70 x 75 meters, with 1 – 2.5 meter high walls enclosing it. At the south end of the plaza, the pyramidal temple rose to a height of more than 7 meters and was situated on a platform. During the early 1950’s heavy looting of the stone had all but diminished this impressive structure. Two graves were uncovered near the temple. In one grave a partial skeleton of a male was unearthed and in another, the remains of a male, female and child aged 3 – 6 years. Both adults in the second grave lacked skulls, and in place of the male’s head, a dish was discovered. These facts have led the researchers to speculate that these were possible sacrificial interments.
Good quality jade in building fill and jewelry indicates evidence of long distance trade. Near the Komchen site, salt marshes are abundant. Based on the proximity to the Gulf of Mexico (19 kilometers), it is theorized that salt was shipped along the coastal waters to inland streams and rivers throughout the far reaches of the Yucatan and beyond. This salt was traded for various jade materials and other non-indigenous items.
SOURCES:
Bricker, Victoria and Sabloff, Jeremy. Handbook of Middle American Indians. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press, 1981.
Henderson, John S. The World of the Ancient Maya. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1981.
“Middle America Research Institute.” (Wednesday May 3, 2000) http://www.tulane.edu/~mari/about.html
Correspondence with “E. Wyllys Andrews” Middle American Research Institute, Tulane University.
Written By:
Mark Bestick
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