City Wall (Muralla)

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

The Tulum wall, of uneven height following the contours of the terrain and rectangular in shape, protected the inhabitants, also allowing control over activities within the city. Similarly, the wall divided the three hierarchies that separated society: rulers, craftsmen, and workers. Or, in other words: it separated the upper class or elite (nobility and specialists who lived inside) from the common population (workers who lived outside).

Mayan Cities of Mexico: Tulum

The Tulum wall, of uneven height following the contours of the terrain and rectangular in shape, protected the inhabitants, also allowing control over activities within the city.

In the same way, the wall separated the three hierarchies that divided society: rulers, craftsmen, and workers. Or, in other words: it separated the upper class or elite (nobility and specialists who lived inside) from the common people (workers who lived outside).

The wall surrounded the city on three sides, since the wall facing the beach and the Caribbean Sea naturally protected it. And it had five entrances: one to the west, two to the north, and two to the south. The entrances were very low because it was easier to defend that way, and the Maya themselves were short in stature.

The fortress wall was painted red, which symbolizes blood. They obtained the red color from cochineal (a type of insect) or cinnabar, mercury oxide. The red color made the fortified wall alive for the Maya. Touching it was forbidden, as it would lead to punishment by the gods and death. "If you don’t want the gods to f*** you, it’s better not to touch them," he said. Alvaro said this. Obviously, people died not as punishment from the gods, but from poisoning.

Sources:

https://en-yucatan.com.mx/tulum/ruinas-mayas-de-tulum/la-muralla/

https://pueblosoriginarios.com/meso/maya/sitios/tulum.html

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City port Tulum

Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

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It functioned as the house of an important person. This is emphasized by the portico with an entrance supported by two columns, and a spacious interior room, at the center of which is a small altar or shrine. In the northern part, there is another room that was added later.

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Structures have been erected above the northwest and southwest corners of the fortress wall, with access to them provided by stairs resting on the inner wall.

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Residential platforms were used by less affluent residents who built their homes from wood and other quickly deteriorating materials, but at the same time were wealthy enough to live within the city wall and have protection from flooding during rain.

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Cancun - Chetumal Km 230, Hotel Zone Tulum, 307, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico

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