Caracol - History

History

The Caracol area was occupied as early as 1200 B.C., yet occupation in the epicentral area was no earlier than 650 B.C. and lasted no later than A.D. 950. Caracol boasts 53 carved stone monuments (25 stelae and 28 altars), and more than 250 burials and 200 caches. Its ancient name is read Uxwitza’ (hispanicised, "Oxhuitza") which translates as "Three Hill Water" from which the Early Classic title Ux Witz Ajaw, or “Three Hills Lord” was derived. This place name may also reference the Three Stone Place of creation.

By the Early Classic (between A.D. 250-550) Caracol was tied into extensive trade networks and pan-lowland ideological systems, leading to a unified regional economy The Caracol was officially founded in A.D. 331 (8.14.13.10.4) by Te’ K’ab Chaak. Special Deposit C117F-1, a Teotihuacan style cremation of three individuals dates precisely to this period, indicating early influences from northern Mexico

Caracol was at first a client state of the more powerful city of Tikal, 76 km to the northwest. Tikal's influence weakened during the mid-sixth century; losing control of Naranjo, located halfway between the two cities (42 km from each site), to rival Calakmul. In A.D. 531, Lord K'an I acceded to the throne. Lord Water (Yajaw Te' K'inich II) acceded to power in A.D. 553 under the auspices of Tikal's Lord Double Bird (Wak Chan K'awiil). Then, in A.D. 556 Tikal enacted a ch’ak (axe) war event, and defeated Caracol; this caused Lord Water to enact the first know star-war event in 562 (9.6.8.4.2), and defeated Tikal's Lord Wak Chan K’awiil (Double Bird). This is the earliest recorded star-war event, and is the cause of the archaeologically and epigraphically demonstrated Tikal mid-Classic hiatus, which saw a decline in Tikal's population, a cessation of monument erection, and the destruction of certain monuments in the Great Plaza. This 120 year long hiatus at Tikal occurred as Caracol’s population and monumental construction increased, and the site became more prosperous and cohesive. This event also saw Tikal take on cultural characteristics of Caracol; even with the renewed erection of monuments at Tikal, their style mimicked that of Caracol.

Yajaw Te’ K’inich II passed on his throne to the eldest of his two sons, Knot Ajaw, in A.D. 599; his younger brother K’an II succeeded him in A.D. 618. K'an II performed a ritual of alliance in Calakmul's territory the following January (9.9.5.13.8). K’an II is described as the most successful Caracol ruler. Reigning for 40 years from A.D. 618 to 658, he expanded the causeway system and saw an increase in the site’s population.

In A.D. 627 (9.9.14.3.5), Lord Kan II attacked Caracol’s sometime ally Naranjo in a hubi (destruction) war event. He attacked again in 628, and sacrificed its king. He then led a star-war against Naranjo in A.D. 631 (9.9.18.16.3). He did it a fourth time in 636. In A.D. 637, he celebrated his first reigning k’atun by dedicating the Hieroglyphic Stairway at Naranjo itself.

Beginning in A.D. 636, there was a building boom at Caracol at the conclusion of the Tikal-Naranjo wars. Entering the Late Classic period, the site still demonstrated widespread cohesion. During this time Caracol also had a unique burial pattern, focusing on multiple burials in special chambers. This pattern is seen spreading out through the Peten region likely controlled by Caracol, although this spread is independent of other material cultural indicators (like caching practices). K’an II commissioned more monuments than any other ruler, and ushered in the ‘golden age’ of Caracol.

Twenty nine days before his death, Kan II ‘witnessed’ the accession of his successor, K’ahk’ Ujol K’inich II on 9.11.5.14.0 – A.D. 658. During K’ahk’ Ujol K’inich II's reign, Caracol was defeated in a star-war event by Naranjo; his only monuments appear at La Rejolla

Lasting from A.D. 702 (Stela 21) to 798 (Ballcourt Marker 3), this period lacks any hieroglyphic texts. Archaeologically however, this period is correlated with an increase in site-wide prosperity. After the A.D. 798 date, the site core is still prosperous, yet shows less cohesion between the center and outlying areas.

Warfare event credited to K’inich Joy K'awil on Stela 11 (erected A.D. 800), indicating the capture of eight captives; then in 800 CE, K’inich Joy K'awiil captured the lord of Ucanal. Caana was also refinished during this period.

K’inich Toobil Yopaat’s accession date is not certain(ca. A.D. 804), but he erected five (possibly six) monuments, and seems to have repaired relations with Ucanal. In A.D. 820, he enacted an axe event against Tikal.

Collapse
Evidence suggests that Caracol weathered the initial part of the Maya collapse. Through symbolic egalitarianism, it seems that the majority of the Late Classic population had access to ‘elite’ material goods. However, the transition to the Terminal Classic sees a shift away from symbolic egalitarianism, when the elite developed their own ceramic traditions and had access to goods no longer available to the populace.

The last recorded date at Caracol is A.D. 859 – 10.1.10.0.0, on Stele 10. Caana’s abandonment dates to approximately A.D. 900; several other structures have occupation that dates to the Terminal Classic period. Structure A6 was abandoned in A.D. 1050, and marks the final abandonment of the site.