Comalcalco (archaeological site) Archaeological Site

Address: Comalcalco archaeological zone, Tabasco, Mexico

Hours: Daily 8:00am-5:00pm (local variations possible)

Admission: Moderate entrance fee (varies; archaeological site fees often apply)

Comalcalco is a pre-Columbian Maya archaeological site in Tabasco, Mexico, notable for its extensive use of fired clay bricks in temple and palace construction. The site was a regional centre during the Late Classic period of Maya civilization.

The principal monuments are stepped pyramids and platform groups built from stacked fired bricks with stucco facing and carved brick elements. Many carved bricks and fragments of stucco decoration survive and are displayed in situ or in the on-site museum.

Archaeological study places the site’s main occupation between the 7th and 10th centuries CE, when Gulf Coast Maya communities adapted local materials and building techniques in response to the absence of large building stone. Comalcalco was connected to regional trade and coastal networks during this period.

Comalcalco lies near the modern town of the same name in the state of Tabasco, within the coastal plain of southeastern Mexico; the ruins are accessible from the town and are served by basic visitor facilities.

• Occupation period: Major occupation during the Late Classic Maya period, roughly between the 7th and 10th centuries CE.
• Construction technique: Construction uses fired clay bricks and mortar with shell tempering instead of the stone masonry common at inland Maya sites.

What to See#

• Temple I: Temple I (main pyramid) located on the site’s principal plaza, notable for its brick construction and stepped form.
• Secondary pyramids and plazas: Secondary pyramidal platforms and plazas that surround the main pyramid, constructed of fired clay bricks with stucco finishes and carved bricks.
• Site museum: On-site museum that displays artifacts and explains the site’s brick-building techniques and occupation history.

Comalcalco is reached by road from Villahermosa (Tabasco’s capital) - about 70-90 km depending on route. Buses and private cars serve the area; the archaeological zone is signposted.

• Hire a local guide to understand the brick-building techniques - Comalcalco is noted for its fired-brick Maya architecture.
• Visit early to avoid the heat and to see the brick reliefs clearly in morning light.