San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize — Central America
Altar 21 at Caracol
(A Group Ballcourt; Structures A11 & A12)
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, May 8, 2016
1. Altar 21 at Caracol Marker
This altar is a ballcourt marker erected in A.D. 633 by Lord Kan II. The text explains that Kan II's father, Lord Water, engaged in two war events with Tikal in A.D. 556 and A.D. 562.
The unstated purpose of the monument is to compare Kan II's first defeat of Naranjo in A.D. 631 with his father's defeat of Tikal.
Erected by Belize Department of Archaeology.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical year for this entry is 556 CE.
Location. 16° 45.684′ N, 89° 7.243′ W. Memorial is in San Ignacio, Cayo. It can be reached from Caracol Road. The marker is just to the north of the A Group Ballcourt at Caracol Archaeological Site some 40 miles south of San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: San Ignacio, Cayo 7K5Z4 KRS87, Belize. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in North America, Central America, Mesoamerica, the Western Hemisphere, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, a Spanish colony, and specifically a British colony.
this page online
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, May 8, 2016
2. Altar 21 at Caracol
The actual Altar 21 with the original, although weathered, inscription.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, May 8, 2016
3. Altar 21 at Caracol Marker
The marker is at the far north end of the reconstructed A Group Ballcourt at Caracol Archaeological Site. Altar 21 has been moved some meters to the east to a covered area for protection from erosion.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, May 8, 2016
4. Structure A6 at Caracol, just north of the A Group Ballcourt
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, May 8, 2016
5. Caana at Caracol's Group B
At 141 feet (43 meters) this is still the tallest man-made structure in Belize.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, May 8, 2016
6. The view south from the top of Caana at Caracol's Group B
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2018. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,394 times since then and 92 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 9, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
