Coba

Coba (Cobá Spanish language) large ruined y Pre-Columbian May civilization, located state Quintana Roo, Mexico. It found about 90 May Chichen Itza, about 40 Caribbean Sea, 44 northwest of Tulum, which connected y modern .

Coba found around lagoons. A series elevated stone plaster roads radiate central various smaller sites . These known y May "sacbe" (plural "sacbeob"). Some these causeways g Caribbean coast, longest 100 Yaxuna. The one and only contains several large temple pyramids, tallest, known Nohoch Mul, being 42 meters height.

A number longer sacbeob, radiate Coba other May sites area, longest being 100 long, running Yaxuna.

Coba estimated 50,000 inhabitants ( possibly significantly ) p civilization, built p extends 80 ². The one and only occupied y sizable agricultural population y 1 century. The one and only Coba's major construction seems the middle Classic period, about 500 900, dated hieroglypic inscriptions 7 century. However Coba remained important Post-Classic era temples built p repair until least 14 century, possibly arrival Spanish.

Exploration

Knowledge expansive never completely lost, examined y scholars until 1920s. John Lloyd Stephens mentioned hearing reports 1841, distant y known modern village decided difficulty trying g there daunting. For 19 century could visited y outsiders Caste War Yucatán. Teoberto Maler p Coba short visit 1893 least photograph, unfortunately publish remained unknown archeological community.

Amateur explorer Dr. Thomas Gann brought y local May hunters February 1926. Gann published first first- description ruins later the y. Gann g short description archeologists Carnegie Institution project Chichen Itza, which expedition under J. Eric S. Thompson. Thompson's initial report surprisingly large y inscriptions prompted Sylvanus Morley mount thorough examination of .

Eric Thompson number return visits through 1932, which y published detailed description.

The one and only remained little visited remoteness until first modern opened p Coba early 1970s. As major resort planned Cancún, realized clearing restoring large could important tourist attraction.

The one and only Mexican National Institute Anthropology & History began archeological excavations 1972 directed y Carlos Navarrete, consolidated couple buildings. At start the 1980s another Coba opened p paved, regular service begun, small Villas Archeologicas Hotel opened p y Club Med ( electric generator, since village Coba otherwise without electricity). Today there resident population 1,167 (2005 census).

Coba became tourist destination shortly thereafter, y visitors visiting y trips Cancún Riviera May. only small portion cleared jungle restored y archaeologists. Local guides available entrance site, bicycle rentals g farther ruins within archaeological . Coba, archaeological sites Mexico p public INAH, Mexican citizens Sundays national holidays.

There small pueblo ruins, restaurants small stores selling local crafts.