Uxbenká is a pre-Columbian Mayan site in
Mesoamerica, located in Belize. It is located in the southernmost
portion of this country, in the district of Toledo.
It was an
urban site, perhaps the oldest known Mayan city in the lowlands of
Belize, containing evidence of occupation dating back to the Early
Classic period (ca. 250 - 500 AD).
It is one of the five
largest pre-Columbian Mayan sites in the region, which includes, in
addition to Uxbenká, Xnaheb, Nim Li Punit and Lubaantún. The
settlements that occurred during the classical period in the area
seem to have come from the Mayans of Petén, today Guatemala. The
most accepted hypothesis is that from here they continued north in
their diaspora towards the Yucatan Peninsula, and then migrated
westward during the founding process of this great Mayan region.
The residential buildings in the Uxbenka settlement were fairly scattered. Studies carried out using Lidar (Light detection and ranging) showed that the people of Uxbenka used the hilltops in the landscape for both community buildings and residential buildings. The residential buildings each extend about 3 km from the center of the complex. Two very large public buildings are in the center of the complex.
Thirteen stelae, or stone tablets, containing records
of political history have been identified in Uxbenka. Only two of the
steles are still standing; the others have been moved or tipped over.
The surviving stelae are heavily weathered and much of the epigraphic
information is no longer readable. Readable ethnographic data includes
long census series. The discovery of these records confirms that Uxbenka
was inhabited from the Early Classic to the Late Classic period.
Stela 5:
Stela 5 stands in front of the northeast corner of Structure
1. The stone carvings on this stele are so weathered that archaeologists
were unable to identify anything.
Stela 6:
Stela 6 was found
directly in front of Structure 1. The upper half of this stele is
missing; it was apparently broken off. Glyphs have been found that have
been dated to the late classical period. Of these glyphs, one section
reads “Hanab Pakal,” which has been translated as “flower shield.”
Stela 11:
This stele is broken into three pieces. She found
herself upside down in the northwest corner of Structure 1.[4] As with
Stele 6, the upper half of Stele 11 is missing. It bears some of the
most readable glyphs in Uxbenka. Archaeologists were able to see the
complete counting series: “8.18.0.0.” decipher what dates to the early
classical period. Additional readable glyphs on Stele 11 include a
jaguar paw, similar to that on Stele 39 at Tikal. The iconography on
Stele 11 shows the lower half of an individual with his feet white
facing the same direction, as well as a beam with the double-headed
serpent. This also points to the early classical period. The pose is
consistent with other depictions of early classical iconography.
Stela 14:
Stela 14 is not only the largest of the steles in Uxbenka,
but also “the tallest monument at Uxbenka”. However, most of the
inscriptions on Stele 14 have eroded. Nevertheless, faint outlines of a
major wit monster of the late classical period can be discerned.
Stela 15:
Stele 15 was found in two pieces in front of Structure 3.
Legible inscriptions on this stele include the introductory series
initial glyph "ISIG" and a census date "9.17.10.0.0", thus November 28,
780 A.D.
Stela 18:
This stele was discovered face down on the
ground east of Structure 7. Even though it is partially weathered, the
iconography on Stele 18 can be interpreted as a portrait of a ruler of
the early classical period. Faint outlines of inscriptions can still be
seen, but are no longer legible.
Stela 19:
Stele 19 was found
west of the central staircase leading to Stelae Plaza. Inscriptions on
this stele are relatively well preserved. 35 glyphs are readable. A
count sequence and an initial series (ISIG) were identified. The count
indicates “9.17.11” or 782 A.D.
Stela 21:
Originally only the
left half of Stele 21 was found. It was located in front of Structure 1
and close to Stela 11. A survey excavation by the Maya Mountains
Archaeological Project discovered the right half of Stele 21 in a
looter's pit in front of Stele 15. Similar to Stele 11 and Stele 18,
Stele 21 shows the depiction of a ruler of the early classical period
with a beam with a double-headed serpent.
Stela 22:
Stele 22
was found buried under Stele 13. Six heavily weathered glyphs can be
seen on one side of this stele. A legible “Haab” glyph could indicate
the date 751 A.D.
Archaeological research has shown that the soils around Uxbenka have high concentrations of nutrients, making the area favorable for agriculture. Slash-and-burn and milpa techniques were used by the residents of Uxbenka, along with soil management measures such as terracing.