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OXTANKAH
(pronounced osh tahn kah) is an interesting, medium-sized Mayan site, located on the shores of the Chetumal bay. It once played an important role in Mayan trade due to its location. It was built during the early classic period. Its buildings date from 300 A.D. and it appears to have been occupied until the arrival of the Spaniards in the 1500's. There are remains of a Spanish church at the site. Some archaeologists believe that this is the oldest church in the area and that it is related to the Chaktemal Kingdom started by Gonzalo Guerrero who was one of two Spaniard soldiers surviving after their ship wrecked off the coastline of the Caribbean. Gonzalo Guerrero married the daughter of the local Mayan ruler and completely adopted the Maya way of life.
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Ruins at Oxtankah
Church at Oxtankah
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The other, Jeronimo de Aguilar, returned to the Spanish army and fought against the Maya. The Plaza de las Abejas, Plaza de las Columnas, the Cenote and the Church make this site worth a visit. Excavations were carried out under I.N.A.H., restoring the church in the late '80s and the Classic structures in 1997. The proximity of this site to Chetumal and to Rancho Encantado makes it very accessible. There are good restaurants on the bay not too far from Oxtankah. This site, plus the Museum of Mayan Culture, the Chetumal Market and lunch on the bay, make for a very pleasant and interesting day.
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