About 81 miles south of Cancún is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Mexico: Tulum. This walled city (Tulum translates to “wall” from the Maya language) is situated on the coast facing the Caribbean Sea. With walls on three sides, Tulum was built as a fortress by the Mayas. Because of its strategic position, it became a prominent trading port and gateway into the Yucatan peninsula.
“Tulum was the hub for international trade and responsible for the distribution of goods into the Yucatan through Coba, Chichen Itza and connecting settlements. Tulum was thought to also be a religious center for priests with the walls protecting the sacred leaders.”
At its height, about 1,600 people lived here. But it was abandoned sometime after the Spanish arrived. Today, the remains of an ancient civilization tell the story of the Mayas. Experts can fill in many of the details of their daily life, culture, religious beliefs and traditions, what threatened them, and their relationships with other Mayan city-states. Sometimes even the experts make guesses.
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