Chactún

Chactún is a Maya archaeological site located in the Mexican state of Campeche, within the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Discovered in 2013 and publicly announced in 2014, Chactún ("Red Stone" or "Large Stone" in Yucatec Maya) is a significant Classic Period (c. 250-900 CE) city.

The site's importance stems from its size and complexity, featuring monumental architecture including pyramids, palaces, stelae, altars, and ballcourts. The presence of numerous hieroglyphic inscriptions on stelae provides valuable insights into the political history of the region and the interactions between Chactún and other Maya centers. The inscriptions suggest the city held considerable political power, although its precise relationship with larger polities like Calakmul is still being investigated.

Chactún's remote location contributed to its late discovery and relatively good preservation. Ongoing archaeological research aims to understand the city's role within the broader Maya civilization, its economic and social structures, and the reasons for its eventual abandonment. The site offers valuable information about the Classic Maya period and helps to paint a more complete picture of Maya history and culture in the central Maya lowlands.