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Hormiguero
is a little known site that is a delightful pleasure
to visit. It means "ant hill" in Spanish. We not
only were the only visitors on the site, but there
had been no North Americans who had signed their
names on the register for days. Its a pity, because
the site is rich in architectural ornamentation
on the buildings. The site is located on flat
land with slight elevations towards the south
and consists of three main group of structures.
Hormiguero
was reported by Ruppert and Dennison during their
Carnegie expedition in 1933. Nevertheless, it
wasn't until 1979 when the first excavation of
the zone were begun. Hormiguero height was in
the classic period, between 600 and 800 AD.
Hours:
8:00am - 5:00pm
Suggested
visiting time: 2 hours
Services:
None -- fuel and food can be found in Xpuhil
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Hormiguero
is located in the state of Campeche midst the large
group of ruins in the Rio Bec area. Take highway
186 from Chetumal or Escarcega. Take 180 toward
the town of Champoton, about 20 km. The site's location
is well marked.
Structure II |
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In
the North end of the South Group is Structure
II, the most important temple of the site due
to its size and the elaborate carvings on the
facade. The facade consists of three main sections
divided by two towers with rounded corners, typical
of the Rio Bec region.
Unlike
some structures, the towers are not false in that
underneath a corridor exists that connects the
platform of the central facade with the side ones.
The central facade is a large mask of Itzamna,
the door a giant mouth. The steps of the temple
are carved like teeth, with the entry way, a giant
tongue.
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Structure
V is located in the Central Group and is a building
much smaller than Structure II, but the mask is
much better preserved. The mask is an enormous
representation of the monster of the Earth, in
which the open jaws form the entrance to the building.
On each corner of the building are multiple rows
of well preserved Chaac masks, God of rain.
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Hormiguero
is in the jungle, so can be hot and muggy. In
the months of June, July and August, it is a good
idea to use insect repellent and bring rain gear.
It
is suggested that you combine Hormiguero with
a visit to Xpuhil and Becan as all three can be
easily visited in one day.
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