TULUM
About the place and its name: Tulum is one of sites
more formerly registered and known by world western, because
already in 1518 the Spanish cronista Juan Diaz narrated to
have seen a as big city "as Seville" with a tower,
that doubtlessly was the Castle of Tulum, which in that time
still was occupied by the inhabitants of that independent
headquarters. The sources of century XBI designate to the
site with the name of "Zamá", that possibly
talks about to the Mayan word for "morning" or "dawn",
which is comprehensible since the site is located in the highest
portion of the Eastern coast, in where exactly to contemplate
the dawn is a specially remarkable spectacle. The name of
Tulum, therefore, seems to be relatively recent. Translated
to the Spanish like "wall" or "wood fence",
in clear reference to the wall that is conserved here, this
name seems to be used to designate to the city when already
it was in ruins, and is indeed with this name with which it
is briefed in century XIX, when Stephens and Catherwood "redescubren
it completely" left, just before the beginning of the
War of Chaste.
Direction and routes of access: It is located 128 kilometers
to the south of Cancún and is easily accessible through
the federal highway 180, that is already a modern one via
of four tracks in the Cancún section - Beach of the
Carmen, and two ample tracks in the section Beach of the Carmen
- Cancún. From Cancún, numerous travel agencies
exist that organize guided visits and the local lines of buses
offer a regular service between these two points.
Brief history of the site: The at the moment visible
buildings in Tulum, belong in their totality to the last period
of pre-Hispanic occupation of the Yucatan Peninsula: the postclassic
means - delayed (1200 - 1550 d.n.e.). Perhaps nevertheless,
the presence of some clearly associable elements to older
periods, like wake 1, dated for 564 d.n.e., as well as of
the structure 59, that contains some stylistic elements of
the classic period, indicates that the establishment can have
originated at a time considerably older, the classic one early
(ca. 400 0 500 d.n.e.). In agreement with the archaeological
studies published years in the last, sufficiently consistent
evidence exists to assure that Tulum would have been one of
the main Mayan cities of centuries XIII and XIV. Ernesto Vargas
is outstanding its strategic location between the provinces
(kuchkabaloob) of Cochuah and Cozumel, which, added to its
location on the highest elevation of the region and its efficient
defensive system, would have located to him like an inescapable
establishment for any commercial route and the operation of
the rich marine resources of the coast of Quintana Roo. In
agreement with the author before mentioned, Tulum would have
worked politically like an establishment (or batabil) independent
of the dominion of other provinces, until practically the
arrival of the Spaniards in century XVI, when definitively
it was left.
General performances: Being the site more known and
publicitado of Quintana Roo, Tulum the zone cannot need in
the itinerary of any visitor. Although more by the beauty
is known him their beaches, must insist on the importance
of their paintings murals and on the interesting urban adjustment
of their buildings. The quota of $20,00 access is of and the
schedule of visit from 08:00 to 19:00 hours during the summer
and from 07:00 to 18:00 hours during the winter, of Monday
to Sunday. It does not have to let be mentioned that it is
necessary to park the vehicles in the parking of the commercial
center, which requires the payment of an additional quota,
not controlled by the INAH; the passage from near 1 kilometer
located between the parking and the entrance to the site,
can be made on board on foot or of a small train (related
either to the INAH), whose tariff is of $10.00. It is recommended
not to acquire the products that offer the salesmen located
in the access area to the site, by found located irregularly
in that zone.
Services that are offered: The site counts on parking
in the area of the commercial center, sanitary and an area
of expedition of tickets. In the town, as well as in the commercial
center, located to little more of a kilometer hotel facilities
exist, as well as diverse on sale dedicated establishments
of foods and crafts of the region. A grouping of certified
guides exists who offer their services during the hours of
visit
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