ESTRUCTURA II
One of the most important structures of the Mayan world, a huge pyramidal temple at the extreme south of the Central Plaza
Structure II is considered to be one of the most important in the Maya world and therefore in the Calakmul area, predating the stone buildings of the sites of Uaxactún and El Mirador, located in the Petén region of Guatemala. It is a huge pyramidal temple at the southern end of the Central Plaza. Its foundations are therefore among the oldest constructions on the site (4th century BC) and its successive modifications and additions stretch back to the 10th century. Try to imagine that at that time the pyramid was covered with temples and ornaments (including many zoomorphic masks from the 6th century), and that the whole thing was polychrome, painted in bright colors of ochre, red and blue. From its square base of 120 metres on each side, an imposing central staircase rises to the top, which is 47 metres high; the side staircases, however, have wider steps, which are lined with trees, making them easier to climb. From its height, one can see the forest as far as the eye can see, the shades of green contrasting with the stone of the pyramid. Only the top of Structure I, still partially covered by the jungle, can be seen, as well as Structure VII, which rises on the other side of the central square, and also the pyramid of the El Mirador site in Guatemala, in the distance. For we must imagine that Calakmul and El Mirador were particularly linked in the classical period, both being important cities in the region.
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