Site Description
The site core of El Chal consists of an acropolis and three ceremonial plazas in which the majority of sculpted monuments were found, the East Plaza, West Plaza and Northeast Plaza. There are also a number of other plazas in the site core. The plazas and the majority of the residential structures were laid out upon naturally level terrain, while the acropolis was built upon a natural limestone hill and a very few residential groups were built upon artificial basal platforms.
A reservoir is located to the northwest of the acropolis. It was built with irregular limestone blocks and measures 65 metres (213 ft) across. In the rain season it fills to a depth of 2 metres (6.6 ft) and contains 400 cubic metres (14,000 cu ft). A second, natural reservoir, is located to the south of the artificial reservoir and west of the acropolis. In the rain season it also fills to a depth of 2 metres (6.6 ft).
The large ritual complex of El Chal was located a considerable distance to the northeast of the civic centre of the city and was probably first built in the Preclassic Period.
Archaeologists have mapped 268 structures clustered in 53 groups around approximately 68 patios in the site core. Residential structures were concentrated in the area surrounding the ceremonial centre, especially on the north and west sides near to the reservoir. Residences tended to be larger the closer they were to the reservoir. The residential area of El Chal was extensive and archaeologists have divided it into four sectors. Municipal consists of the area occupied by the modern village, El Arrepentimiento is the northeastern portion of the site, Panorama is the northwestern area, and Central is the site core. Central El Chal contains 25 groups, Arrepentimiento contains 40 groups, Panorama contains 53 groups and Municipal contains 18 groups. Panorama was an area of chert production while Municipal is associated with the ritual complex of the city.
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