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Nohoch Nah
| It used to have an altar in the middle of the enclosure, in which offerings were placed. The entire structure was covered in stucco and ornately decorated. It has two construction phases: the first one, from the Terminal Classic period, is a small platform that was completely covered by the building that we now see and which dates back to the Post-classic period. |
Sacbeob
| The six architectural groups that make up San Gervasio are connected by Sacbeob (the plural of Sacbé, “white road” in Maya). Of a ritual nature, they are elevated above the ground and are covered with limestone. |
Little Hands
| This structure is known as “Manitas” (Little Hands) due to the red handprints on one of its walls. The building has two enclosures, and a small temple was erected inside one of them. It is thought that it might have been the house of Ah Hulneb, the overlord of Cozumel, during the Terminal Classic period. “Manitas” has another two construction phases, both dating back to the Post-classic period. |
The Columns
| It has seven columns, a bench and a throne or altar in the middle. The enclosures on its side were used as six burial sites; an offering was found next to them. The building has two construction phases: the oldest one, which corresponds to the Terminal Classic period, was half-covered by the more modern one, which dates back to the Post-classic period. |
The Niches
| This structure got its name due to the peculiar miniature shrines built into the sides of the stairway; these probably held offerings. The upper part of the structure had a stone vaulted roof and the inside was mainly decorated in blue. |
Ka’na Nah
| It is the site’s largest structure. It was built in honor of goddess Ixchel, with a sculpture of her inside. The base and staircase have faces engraved on them. |
Bats Group
| Considered as the first group built at San Gervasio, it is made up of small structures, such as Pet Nah, “Round House” in Maya. It is believed that the Halach Uinic (the ruler) lived there during the Late Classic period. |
Structures 31and 32
| Originally with a thatched roof, Structure 31 is thought to have been the residence of the Halach Uinic (the ruler) during the Post Classic period. An offering was found in a red clay pot in Structure 32, a private temple. Ceramics were found in the cenote behind the structure. |
The Palace
| This structure has 19 columns, some of which are double. Its roof was not vaulted, but rather a flat type (like a modern roof), which was made with wooden beams as a frame. The structure was built during the Post-classic period (1200-1650 A.D.). |
The Arch
The pilgrims or traders arrived to the famous shrine to the goddess Ixchel and left offerings at the altar found in the middle of the vaulted passageway. Here it is possible to see the type of vault, which has the form of an inverted stairway, common along the eastern coast. “The Arch” dates back to the Post-classic period (1200-1650 A.D.).
The Altar
| This structure had a ceremonial purpose; due to its location in the middle of the square, it must have served as a type of platform, from which someone addressed people congregated there. |
The Alamo
| It’s a temple that was originally covered with a roof; a section of its vault, in the form of an inverted staircase, can still be seen. On the inside, there is an altar, in which offerings were placed. The building was covered with stucco and the interior walls were decorated with bands, spirals and red-colored handprints. |
Devotion to the Goddess Ixchel
Illustration depicting a pilgrimage of women who used to go to the Ixchel sanctuary, to commend themselves to this goddess of love, fertility, child-bearing, the moon, weaving and medicine, among other attributes.
Introduction San Gervasio
San Gervasio, whose pre-Hispanic name was “Tantun Cuzamil” (Flat Rock in the Place of Swallows) dates back to the Early Classic period (300-400 A.D.). It was the island’s most important religious and administrative center. The archaeological park covers an area of 3.25 square kms. and contains approximately 500 structures.