Coba

C (Cá Spanish language) large ruined y P-Columbian My civilization, located state Quintana R, Mexico. I located about 90 My Chichen Itza, about 40 Caribbean S, 44 northwest Tulum, which connected y modern .

C located around lagoons. A series elevated stone plaster roads radiate central various smaller sites . These known y My "sacbe" (plural "sacbeob"). S these causeways g Caribbean coast, longest 100 Yaxuna. T contains several large temple pyramids, tallest, known Nohoch M, being 42 meters height.

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

C estimated 50,000 inhabitants ( possibly significantly ) p civilization, built p extends 80 ². T occupied y sizable agricultural population y 1 century. T Coba's major construction seems middle Classic period, about 500 900, dated hieroglypic inscriptions 7 century. However C remained important P-Classic temples built p repair until least 14 century, possibly arrival Spanish.

Exploration

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

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

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

T remained little visited remoteness until first modern opened p C early 1970s. A major resort planned Cancún, realized clearing restoring large could important tourist attraction.

T Mexican National Institute Anthropology & History began archeological excavations 1972 directed y Carlos Navarrete, consolidated couple buildings. A start 1980s another C opened p paved, regular service begun, small Villas Archeologicas Hotel opened p y C M ( electric generator, since village C otherwise without electricity). Today there resident population 1,167 (2005 census).

C became tourist destination shortly thereafter, y visitors visiting y trips Cancún Riviera My. Oy 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 shops selling local crafts.