The central part of the city, covering an area of about 10 hectares, is a territory enclosed by a double fortress wall. Five entrances connect this area with other external groups. The main entrance to the complex is apparently the southern one, where the roadway ends. Exactly at this point, passing through the corner entrance formed by two fortress walls, is the Ek Balam arch. The structure measures 11.50 m in length and 8.50 m in width and has two axes of symmetry: the main one from north to south and a transverse one from east to west. It is built as a stepped foundation consisting of three sections with a total height of 1.70 m. To pass through the arch, one must ascend and descend two ramps; on the other side, one can climb a staircase to the transverse east-west axis. This is a freestanding arch with two side openings, open on all four sides. In cross-section, it is a cross-shaped structure. The small size of these side rooms and their openness on both sides raise doubts as to whether they were actually rooms or represented a transverse passage of a second floor. A wall adjoins the southeast and southwest corners of the structure; judging by how it connects to the buildings, it can be concluded that it was built later. Approaching the arch from both sides, it blocks the side passage, making the arch the only entrance to the city. This suggests that initially the arch served a symbolic function, but after the construction of the third wall adjoining it, it turned into a defensive element, forming part of the wall itself.

The internal height of the arch is 3.61 m, which makes it less monumental than the Kaba. The dimensions in plan are 4.79 m in length and 2.58 m in width. The line of the arch’s facades runs along the outer side of the building as a middle cornice. It is constructed using rough blocks, between which smaller stones are embedded, leaving an uneven surface that was surely covered with a thick layer of plaster. The Ek Balam arch was conceived as a building with its own identity and more austere; possibly it had no decoration, although this statement is limited by current knowledge, since it is now restored, but neither the cornice nor the friezes have survived, so there is insufficient information to determine how much of the original construction remains. The arch was topped with a crest so that it could be seen from a distance. On the central axis of the arch, there are two small projections that were likely intended for holding offerings, which may have been associated with the ceremony of entering the city.

It is possible that the Ek Balam arch was conceived as a structure with its own identity and much more austere than the surrounding buildings; it seems it had no decoration, although this assertion is limited by the knowledge used during restoration. Architecturally, it does not belong to the Puuc zone, where several similar arches stand, although it uses the same construction method, the carving is much rougher.

Source:

NUEVAS CIUDADES, NUEVAS PATRIAS.

FOUNDATION AND RELOCATION OF CITIES

IN MESOAMERICA AND THE ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN

Editors:

M.a Josefa Iglesias Ponce de León

Rogelio Valencia Rivera

Andrés Ciudad Ruiz