Coba - The Indiana Jones Experience (Jonesing)

Coba is a significant Mayan archaeological site in the Mexican state of Quinta Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula, as it is nearby to Tulum, it is well within reach of the large number of tourists who visit the area, however it is not as well known as some other Mayan sites in the area.

The great thing about Coba in my opinion is the fact it is still so well covered by jungle, making the experience of exploring it very much more exciting. The site has a stunning array of flora and fauna that have melded with the ruins over the years, which has fortunately not been stripped away and cleared out in the same way as neighboring sites.

Archaeology

According to the archaeological records the Coba site was first inhabited between 50 and 100 AD. Steady and then rapid population growth meant that by 200 AD the Coba area had grown into one of the biggest Mayan populations in the region. It is believed that the area housed some 50,000 residents at its peak.

Coba had a vast reach in the region, with connections to Mayan cities to the south in modern day Guatemala and possible connections as far north as central Mexico. However after 600 AD the powerful influence Coba held in the region began to be compromised by the rise of the city of Chichén Itzá, ironically this is a far more famous site today also. Although Chichén Itzá had more or less taken control of the region by 1000 AD, Coba managed to maintain significance in the region as a spiritual and religiously symbolic place. This allowed construction to continue at the site right up to 1400 AD, it is believed that the site was only abandoned at around the time of the arrival of the Spanish.

The view back down the steps of Ixmoja - One of the tallest Pyramids on the Yucatan at 42 meters

Pyramids

The site has one of the tallest Pyramids on the Yucatan, this being Ixmoja which is 42 meters tall. Pictured left is the temple that sits on top of this mammoth pyramid. Most of the major buildings were built between 500 and 900 AD. The site has numerous Pyramids which are of significance in the region, the trees growing out the site of them makes for a spectacular experience, 'Jonesing' at its finest.

Sacbeob

Coba is also well known for its vast system of Sacbeob (roads). Sacbe, like the overgrown one pictured below, are raised pathways that were built to connect the residential areas and sites of the temples and markets. As we as connecting the city to other cities, one of these Sacbe extends over 100kms.

Pok-ta-tok

The Mayans played a ball game called Pok-ta-tok, in which, the players used a solid rubber ball on a long narrow court with each side of the court bordered by a slanted surface and a hoop which was the goal. Coba has two of these ball courts so it was most likely a significant part of the lives of the inhabitants. The game was reported to be quite dangerous by the early Spanish who witnessed it. With reports that some participants died when the heavy ball hit them in the ribs or the face. The exact rules of the game are unknown, however it is believed that the use of hips and forearms was permitted and the aim was to keep the ball in play and to get the ball through the stone hoop.