Comalcalco

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The pyramids of Comalcalco

Comalcalco is a city about 45 miles (60 km) northeast of Villahermosa in the Mexican state of Tabasco. It was also site of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization.

The literal English translation of "Comalcalco" is "In the house of the comals". A "comal" is a tortilla-pan.

A brick from the ruins at Comalcalco. The carved sides of bricks was facing inward, so as not to be visible.

The westernmost temple site of the Maya culture is located at Comalcalco. Due to regional lack of limestone, the material normally used for temple construction, the city's buildings were made from fired-clay bricks held together with mortar made from oyster shells.

The buildings are mainly from the late Classic Period between 700-900 CE. Many bricks are skillfully ornamented with glyphs. The most important buildings are the northern plaza and the two pyramids Gran Acropolis and Acropolis Este.

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