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Clearly, the Maya did not use this access
route, as you are literally walking on top of structures. Plaza Gumbolimbo
is named for the Gumbolimbo tree,
also known as the "tourist tree" because of its signature
red peeling bark. Gumbolimbo is called chaca in Mayan and used
to soothe skin irritations. |
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| You will find a young tagged Gumbolimbo
as you come down the steps into the plaza. This plaza is only somewhat
larger than 1/10 of an acre (30 x 15 meters or 98 x 49 feet) and totally
enclosed by buildings. Access is through a narrow restricted entrance
in the south range building, the same building that obstructs passage
from Plaza Faisan. |
| Once in Plaza Gumbolimbo, the path leads you into the
passageway that looks down into Plaza Faisan. Here you can see the
first two steps of the stairway that the Maya would have used to access
Plaza Gumbolimbo. Curiously, contrary to Maya practice, this structure
appears to have been built with rooms opening only onto the Plaza
Gumbolimbo. This would have had the effect of blocking off the entire
northern end of Plaza Faisan, except for the narrow entrance in which
you are standing. |
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If you look around Plaza Gumbolimbo, you can see the
range building on the south, a pair of low platform structures to
the east and west, and another building atop a high platform to the
north. Check your map to orient yourself and look at the north building.
You can see the remains of the stairway projecting from the mound
and the notch showing the original passageway to the north into Plaza
Ixim. This is the only access the ancient Maya would have been able
to use to traverse north out of Plaza Gumbolimbo. Each notch or saddle
indicates a collapsed room, and peaks are where walls and corners
meet. |
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