Balam Kú
Near the village of Conhuas, some 253 kilometers from the city of Campeche, a jungle track leads to an archaeological site with truly exceptional reliefs. Recently discovered (1990), the zone was found by Florentino García Cruz and given a name meaning "Temple of the Jaguar", in reference to the felines characterizing the profuse decoration on the House of the Four Kings.
Aside from its jaguars, the 17 by 1.75 meter frieze is decorated with different anthropomorphic figures -the Kings-, who are shown sitting upon amphibious creatures resting upon masks. These red, painted stucco reliefs date from the early Classic period -250 to 600 AD-, and were covered by another pre-Hispanic building which may possibly have been built after the reliefs had lost their ritual significance for the local population.
According to Claude-François Baudez, the frieze shows that the dynastic cycle is similar to its solar counterpart, in such a way that the King is depicted as a representation of the Sun, and therefore fertility, emerging from the jaws of the monster of the Earth, just as the sun rises from the mouth of the Earth. This relief reminds us that amphibious animals represent an aquatic paradise, while the feline images symbolize war, sacrifice and death. Crossing the threshold into the building is rather like entering the underworld.
The house of the Four Kings is located to the north of a square surrounded by vestiges of other constructions, one of which serves as a somewhat evocative entrance to the entrance to the site.
Visiting hours: Every day, from 8:00 to 15:00
Services: Watchmen
Source: The State of Campeche Book
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