Dzibanche

Dzibanche ([tsʼiɓänˈtʃʰe]) (sometimes spelt Tz'ibanche), anciently called Kaanu'l, is an extense archaeological site of the ancient Maya civilization located in southern Quintana Roo, Mexico. Dzibanche was a major Maya city and the early capital and place of origin of the Kaan dynasty, a powerful Maya lineage that conquered and dominated a large territory of the central Maya lowlands during the Mesoamerican Classic period.

The initial settlement of the site dates to the Preclassic period (around 300 BC). During the early Classic period, Dzibanche began a great urban, military and social development that started with the emergence of the Kaan dynasty in the city between 300 and 600 AD, time when it achieved a great regional political power as the first capital of the Kaan kingdom. Dzibanche features the earliest known use of the Kaan dynasty emblem glyph. During the 6th century, the Kaan dynasty began a great power and influence expansion, dominating and subordinating sites while achieving victories against major Maya cities turning Dzibanche into the dominant hegemony of the Maya region. In the year 636, a part of the Kaan lineage of Dzibanche divided and settled in the city of Calakmul, which later became its capital. Around the 11th century the city was abandoned.

The site has a great extension of 40km² (and over 60km² including the agricultural zones) and consists of 4 monumental architectural groups  identified as the Main Group (Dzibanche), Tutil, Lamay and the great acropolis of Kinichná. The city has an advanced urban design planned to divide ceremonial and productive activities, all the architectural groups are connected by a large network of Sacbe roads, this pre-Hispanic road system also connects Dzibanche with other large Maya city called Ichkabal. The architectural groups have numerous monumental ceremonial structures such as the Temple of the Owl and the Temple of the Cormorants where the burial chambers and tombs of some Kaan rulers have been found.