Cozumel, Mexico - Fun and Sun

Monday, December 15, 2014
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Today was one of our two ports of call on this cruise and Marge and I couldn't really agree on an excursion. So Marge and I decided to go on separate excursions and we both very much enjoyed the time. Marge wanted to go snorkeling and I was will if it was like Hawaii in a protected area by shore or in a man made area but Marge wanted to do the open ocean reef. I just did not feel ready for that so instead I went on the Ancient Site and Culture tour to a Mayan site and Marge took the Kayak and Snorkeling adventure. The kayak by the way was clear so the 2 rowers could see down into the water. I know from my tour when we stopped by the Eastern side of the Island the Caribbean Sea was really clear today.

My (Mike) tour went to the San Gervasio Mayan site the largest on the island and built on the highest part of the Island to the Moon God. It was 7 miles inland from the Western side of the Island next to the mainland. The tour guide Miguel (Mike) made a point a number of times that numbers like 7 and 28 were meaningful to the Mayan as they followed a moon calendar of 28 days. As it turns out the highest point on the Island is only 10 meters above sea level so the island as you can tell is pretty flat. The site was certainly not as large as some sites that I have seen and sites like Tulum are better preserved with many more building of substantial size. Yet in size it was at least as large as Tulum I would say and it was largely a ceremonial site for the Moon God unlike some of the biggest sites which were major cities as well as sacred sites.

'Mike' did well talking about the island and it's past as well as the current state where tourism is the main if not only industry as the farms and ranches have all gone away. I think that is the way of the world in a number of places. It just is a fact and boy do they have the tourists. There were 5 cruise ships on our day here and of course many who fly in for longer stays at the resorts and hotels.

The site itself was enjoyable to walk around and while learning a little just enjoy walking where the Mayans did from around 600 A.D. to 1500 A.D. when the Spanish arrived. I think I most enjoyed the arch that the Mayans who came here to worship on the night of the full moon would go under after walking the 7 mile road to the complex placing their offerings to the Moon God before entering to worship. If I heard Mike right he said it was something of an obligation for every Mayan to visit at least once in their lifetime. The arch was simple but kind of at statement of crossing the threshold to the final goal of your pilgrimage for that is what it was for the Mayan who came from the Mainland on the nights of the full moon. I suspect for many it was a high point of their spiritual lives.

I (Marge) went off in the morning for a crystal kayak and snorkeling. The tour guides were very entertaining. The drive to the swimming site was only 10 minutes. But lots of beautiful greenery on the way. Angel took us kayaking and Mario took us snorkeling. Julio from our dinner table was my partner. We got in the kayak just fine but then we started taking on water eventually going under. We both lost our cameras but Julio was able to get them back for us. We then got started again after much work getting me back in the kayak esulting when Julio was almost in he tipped over Angel's kayak which resulted in ours going down again. Angel then had Julio get in and have me go back to shore where I back in and off we went. Angel stayed and looked for our camera this time. We did see much fish wise from the boats. Angel mainly gave us a talk about the area. The paddles he said disturb the fish so we would have much better luck snorkeling. We then came back to shore and gave up the kayaks. The snorkeling experience was very good.

San Gervasio Archaeological Site in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
 San Gervasio Archaeological Site in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Tour By Mexico ®The history of San Gervasio archaeological site dates back to the Early Classic period (300 - 400 a.d.) when the acropolis "El Ramonal" was built. This Group was the main center from which all the other smaller settlements, (small hamlets), on the island were controlled. During the late Classic period (600- 1000 a.d.), the "Murcielagos" and the "Cedral" groups were converted into the administrative center of their respective communities. During the Terminal Classic period (1000 - 1200 a.d.) the Itzaes dominated Cozumel, from which point they controlled the trade between Yucatan and the region of the Ulua. Archeological evidence exists which indicates that the urban settlement model of San Gervasio was copied from the capital of the Itzae, with its plazas connected by this culture. During the Post Classic period (1200 - 1650), San Gervasio became one of the most important centers of pilgrimage in Mesoamerica trage. San Gervasio rose to become the administrative and religious center in addition to being the seat of government for the entire island; During the Colonial Period, San Gervasio must have still been inhabited since pottery found there supports this theory.• The Archaeologist have worked in the investigation, consolidation and rehabilitation of material remains found in the Archaeological zone you are about to visit. Through the help of specialists, various pieces, paintings, panels, sculptures and sundry objects have been restored. Physical Anthropologists have analyzed and interpreted the bone remains found during excavations. All have contributed important knowledge concerning our Pre hispanic past and have helped make of this Archaeological zone a touchstone of our historical, cultural and ecological heritage. Please help us conserve it.• If you are about to climb the different buildings in this zone, we recommend you do so with the utmost care so as to avoid accidents.• The restrictive sings throughout the zone are there so as to avoid its deterioration and to prevent the visitor from exposing himself to danger.• Let us keep this zone clean by using the garbage cans in the Service areas.• You are about to enter an exceptional historical site . 
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 The Tomb Structure in San Gervasio Archaeological Site in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Tour By Mexico ®
 
  • The Tomb Structure, This building is so named due to finding a vaulted tomb in its interior, unique in San Gervasio. The structure is a platform, since it had no building on top of it, only benches and altar. It is believed that the structure was used for open air ceremonies in which not only the priests participated but also the congregation in the plaza. The structure has two construction periods, the first one was built during the Terminal Classic period (1000-1200 A.D.) and the later one during the Post Classic period (1200-1650 A.D.)
  • The Little Hands Structure, Plaza Manitas Grupo III, This building is so named
    The Little Hands Structure, Plaza Manitas Grupo III in San Gervasio Archaeological Site in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Tour By Mexico ®
    named because of the red-colored hand prints which mark the wall. The building is comprised of two rooms in which a small temple was built in the interior of one of the tem. Its use could have been residential as much as ceremonial since the interior space is quite ample. It is thought that it could have been the house of the "Ah Hulneb", Itza Overlord of Cozumel during the Terminal Classic period (1000-1200 A.D.) and that the inner temple was his personal shrine. "Little Hands" has two other construction phases, both dated during the Post Classic period (1200-1650 A.D.)
  • The Small House Structure, Due to its architectural characteristics and its reduced size, it is almost certain that could be done in its interior was to place offerings. "Small House", ("Chichan Nah"), like "Little Hands", has a small temple in its interior, but in this case the structure pertains to only one construction phase, the (1200-1650 A.D.)
    Structures 31 and 32 in San Gervasio Archaeological Site in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Tour By Mexico ® 
  • Structures 31 & 32, Structure 31 is an unusual residential building 
    since it is typically Mayan-Chontal. It has large interior spaces with a frontal portico, and its roof was made of palm fronds, while Structure 32 is a small masonry temple. It is considered that the former structure was the house of the "Halach Uinic" of Cozumel and the latter the private "chapel" of the liege.
    Both structures date from the Post Classic period ( 1200-1650 A.D. ).
  • The Arch Structure, In pre Hispanic days, this construction was theThe Arch Structure in San Gervasio Archaeological Site in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Tour By Mexico ®
    entrance or exit of the central part of San Gervasio, leading to the coastal sites, which were reached by means of Sacbe 1. 
    The pilgrims and traders would reach the famous sanctuary of the Goddess Ixchel and deposit an offering at the altar that lies in the middle of the vaulted passageway. Here one can appreciate the kind of vaulting used, which is shaped like an inverted staircase, common on the east coast. "The Arch" dates from the Post Classic period ( 1200-1650 A.D.). 

    The Columns Structure in San Gervasio Archaeological Site in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Tour By Mexico ®
  • The Columns Structure, It has seven columns, a bench running along the inner walls and a throne or altar in the middle of the room. The chambers along the side were used to deposit six burials, along with offerings of small stone steal sculpted with different figures. The building has two construction periods of which the oldest, 
    corresponding to the Terminal Classic period (1000-1200 A.D.), was partially covered by the later one, dating from the Post Classic period (1200-1650 A.D.). 

    The Altar Structure in San Gervasio Archaeological Site in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Tour By Mexico ®
  • The Altar Structure, This structure had a ceremonial use as it lies in the middle of the plaza, and therefore it must have served as a dais from which the speaker addressed the people gathered here. In "The Altar" one can observe two different construction periods: to the west there are balustrade steps, completely covered with stucco; which is the oldest construction and dates to the Terminal Classic period (1000-1200A.D.); the latest structure, which covers the first one, belongs to the Post Classic period ( 1200-1650 A.D.)
    .The Alamo Structure in San Gervasio Archaeological Site in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Tour By Mexico ®
     
  • The Alamo Structure, This temple was originally roofed although part of its vaulting, shaped like an inverted staircase, can still be seen on its southern side. There is an altar within, where offerings were placed in pre Hispanic times. The building was completely stuccoes and the inner walls were decorated with bands, spirals and red colored hand prints. "The Alamo" was during the Post Classic period. 

    The Murals Structure in San Gervasio Archaeological Site in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Tour By Mexico ®
  • The Murals Structure, This building is thus called because of the 
    fragmented murals discovered within it, which were painted with vivid colors of red, blue, ochre and black, and was covered with geometric motifs, stepped lines, Grecian frets, spirals, etc. This building had a vaulted roof and was used for ceremonial purposes. In its interior, there were altars and benches used for placing offerings and holding certain kinds of ceremonies. "The Murals" has only one construction period which dates to the Post Classic period (1200-1650 A.D. 


    The Palace Structure in San Gervasio Archaeological Site in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Tour By Mexico ®
  • The Palace Structure, Colonnaded halls are very popular on the east coast. They have benches along the interior walls and in the middle there is a jutting part, either an altar or throne, which evokes an important personage sitting on it and presiding over a meeting with members of the community. This structure has 19 columns, some of which are double. The roof was not vaulted, but rather is flat, like modern-day ones, which wooden beams holding it all together. It was built during the Post Classic period ( 1200-1650 A.D.). 
    The Ossuary Structure in San Gervasio Archaeological Site in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Tour By Mexico ®
  • The Ossuary Structure, This structure was so named as an ossuary, 
    with numerous human remains, was found inside during exploration of the building. The temple no longer exists but originally it had masonry walls and roof. Next to the structure is the beginning of Sacbe 4, which connects the Central group. The Ossuary was built during the Post Classic period (1200-1650 A.D.)
  • Structure 25 B, This was colonnaded hall with a masonry roof, supported with wood beams. It had a bench which ran along the entire interior, embedded into the side and back walls. It differs from the other colonnaded halls in that it has three pillars with square bases and three columns with round bases. This structure was build in the Post Classic period (1200-1650 A.D.)
  • The Niches Structures, This structure was so named because of the miniature shrines that were built on the sides of the stairway, which must have been used for placing offerings. The upper part had a stone vaulted roof and the interior was predominantly decorated in blue. It was built during the Post Classic period (1200-1650 A.D.)

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