the bay. 4.5 kilometers one can find the signs that mark the entrance to the zone. It seems to have been settled for the first time during the Early Classical period (200-600 A.C.) when the Mayans constructed the main buildings of the city including temples, palaces, market squares, sunken patios, and isolated buildings at barely 1km away from the bay, making use of a wide natural platform. In order to stock up on fresh water, the inhabitants of the site built chultunes and wells in order to collect rainwater. The city extended until the outer limits of the bay, inclunding the Island of Tamalcab, where various structures have been identified. The architectural style of the buildings links the site with the Peten region in Guatemala.
Actualmente pueden visitarse las estructuras de dos grandes plazas, recientemente intervenidas Currently you can visit the structures of two large and recently discovered market squares 20
mediante ampliaciones de las plataformas y la construcción de nuevos palacios, templos y edificios administrativos sobre los ya existentes. A la llegada de los españoles, la ciudad estaba ocupada por múltiples y modestas unidades residenciales, así como por innumerables bardas de delimitación residencial (albarradas). Después de las primeras incursiones españolas, se edificó la capilla que se encuentra en el extremo norte del sitio, la cual constituye el testimonio más tardío de la historia constructiva de Oxtankah. Actualmente pueden visitarse las estructuras de dos grandes plazas, recientemente intervenidas y el área de la capilla española, explorada a principio de los años ochenta. La Plaza Abejas está conformada por cinco edificios de función ceremonial y residencial. En el extremo oriente de la plaza, se encuentra una plataforma con cuatro cuerpos que sostiene a un templo de un solo recinto. Bajo el piso de ese templo fueron construidas dos tumbas donde se colocaron los cuerpos de dos importantes personajes, acompañados por diversos objetos a manera de ofrenda. Estas tumbas pueden visitarse entrando por la parte posterior de la base del templo. La construcción corresponde al período 300 - 600 d.n.e. y tiempo después fue cubierta por otro edificio ocupado hasta la llegada de los españoles. Al sur de la plaza se halla un palacio de escasas dimensiones, construido entre 300 y 600 d.n.e., que posteriormente fue ampliado. Del edificio más antiguo pueden apreciarse, en la parte media, dos habitaciones con vestigios de techos abovedados, ubicadas a los lados de la escalinata de acceso; al oriente se observan los restos de los cuerpos de la plataforma que las
The size and importance of Oxtankah were not always equal since some parts were abandoned after 600 A.C. and later re-occupied and remodeled with additions to the platforms and the construction of new palaces, temples, and administrative buildings on top of the existing ones. Upon arrival of Spaniards, the city was occupied by many modest residential units as well as by innumerable residential border fences (stone walls). After the first Spanish incursions, the chapel that is located on the far north of the site was built, which is the earliest example of Oxtankah’s building history. Currently you can visit the structures of two large and recently discovered market squares and the Spanish chapel area which was explored at the beginning of the eighties. Bee Square is made up of five ceremonial and residential buildings. On the east side of the plaza there is a platform with four pieces that holds a temple with a single room. Two tombs were built underneath the floor of that temple, where the bodies of two important people were placed along with various offerings. These tombs may be visited by entering through the base of the temple in the back. The building corresponds to the period between 300 and 600 A.C. and later was covered by another building occupied until the arrival of the Spaniards. On the south side of the plaza there is a palace of small dimensions, built between 300-600 A.C., and which was later expanded. On the middle level of the oldest building one can appreciate two rooms with remains of vaulted ceilings, located on the sides of the access stairway. On the eastern side one can