Layout of Site
The regal-ceremonial core of Naranjo was known to seat its rulers and houses their gods. This site is about 1 km² and includes over 112 structures grouped in six triadic complexes. The triadic acropolis is an architectural compound dominated by Structure C-9. Structure C-9 is a massive mound located in the easternmost area of the core part of Naranjo. The largest triadic acropolis in the city, C-9’s main pyramid is the tallest building at Naranjo. Because it occupies the top of a natural hill with a cave located inside, it is a perfect place to be categorized as a ‘sacred mountain’.
The rest of Naranjo is monumental architectural site accompanied by several pyramids including one with a hieroglyphic staircase. Upright columns made from basalt stone can be found and they are carved with inscriptions chronicling Naranjo’s history in great detail. These inscriptions show the people’s pride in their culture and their desire to share it with generations to come. Forty-five carved, inscribed, and sculptured monuments are a key component to this site as well. One of the largest groups of surviving sculptures originating from the site includes a series of nine limestone tablets that formed part of a stairway. Multiple plazas are located on the site and the central plaza has two distinctive construction phases dating to the Mayan Pre Classic and Classic periods. The reason behind the construction gap is because Naranjo experienced three non-sequential period of architectural activity. Each period lasted between forty and fifty years. During the gaps of non-architectural activity, no monuments were being built. The twenty-seven monuments that have been recovered at Naranjo are the plainest monuments reported to date. This includes plain stelas and alters. It is a possibility that the monument complexes were used for calendrical purpose, rather than honoring or related to lineages. Because of this, only certain monuments had altars. Two ‘palace’ compounds, one E-Group and two ball courts were also found.
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