Becán Campeche Mexico

by Bill and Dorothy Bell

Click site map to enlarge

Becán is a one of the Major Archeological site (of at least 45) that graces the base of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is by and large, unknown by the core tourist crowd, and you can walk by yourself in the forest as you discover restored pyramids, grand plazas and temples and palaces.

Becán in the Mayan language means “Ravine formed by water,” and is named after the moat that surrounds the ancient city. It can also be interpreted as “The Way of the Serpent” ("Be" means camino or roadway; "Kan" means serpent) because of the moats waters that twist in irregular size and shape.

Twin Towers of the Rio Bec region

The fascinating moat, the only one as yet discovered in the Mayan world, was used as a fortification around the limestone structured City to head off potential problems with other trading and religious centers. Clay works and figurines from Teotihuacán provide links to trade and possible wars amongst Becán, Tikal and Teotihuacán.

Becán dates back to 600 BC and reached its peak between 600 and 1000 AD. It was a major political and military center and is one of the many Cities that fought against Tikal for dominance. It is located on Highway 186 between the present cities of Campeche and Chetumal in the State of Campeche and is considered the capital of the Rio Bec ancient cities. You can see the pyramids above the forest canopy from a fair distance.

Detail and lattice work

The Rio Bec style includes large platforms, two – sometimes three towers grace the large pyramids with a grass or palapa roof on the top. Often there are false stairways and misleading entrances. The City is characterized by large plazas surrounded by monumental structures indicating its importance in the region.  Becán also shows signs of the Chenes influence with detailed masks of the Itzamna god, also called the Earth Monster. The highest structure is approximately 30 meters or100 feet high.

The now dry moat twists nearly 2000 meters around the city core; sometimes reaching a width of 16 meters and a depth of 7 meters. The earth and limestone used to construct the walls were excavated from this man-made waterway making it difficult for invaders to scale the heights unnoticed. It has seven bridges or gateways that lead to the 63+ acre city for both people and supplies. They lead to a sacbé system of roads in the region.

Inside the city is a maze of dirt roads leading from one complex to another. Like many ancient cities, Becán has a small but well defined ball court. An unusual feature situated prominently in the main plaza is a round pyramid dedicated to the God of Wind.

The best example of the “Monster” is on Temple X – whose mouth is the entrance doorway. A remarkable mask of the Sun God Kinichna is protected in a climate controlled room flanking that same pyramid. It is well preserved with very defined features and with its original paint.

You can stroll safely undisturbed throughout the site. Take good shoes as there is plenty of climbing- and a fair amount of film or memory and batteries for your photographs. The site is open seven days a week from 8am to 5 pm. There is a watchman at the gate who will charge you the standard fee – currently approximately $4 – extra for video cameras

 Sun God Kinichna