Cahal Pech Site Overview

South of San Agnacio in the Cayo District of Belize, the hilltop Maya citadel of Cahal Pech guards the confluence of the Macal and Mopan Rivers.

Spread over 16 square kilometers, the site consists of several plaza groupings and 34 large structures including pyramid temples, palaces, mounds, residences, and two ball courts. The tallest structure stands 24 meters tall and served as a temple. 

While several structures date to 600-400 BC, Cahal Pech’s heyday was roughly around 600-800 AD. Around 850 AD Cahal Pech was largely abandoned. Sometime in the 1930s, the site was rediscovered although records are scarce. In the past several decades, the site was periodically investigated by archaeologists and academics.  The list of significant finds includes obsidian and jade carvings, marine shells from the Caribbean, elaborately crafted ceramics, carved stela and dozens of meticulously laid out burials. Many artifacts are housed in the Belize Department of Archaeology. 

During quiet periods through the 1960's and 1970's, looters pillaged the site on multiple occasions - destroying clues to the site’s background. In the 1980's, Jaime Awe, Director of the Belize Institute of Archaeology, assumed control of  the site. Since that time, the Belize Valley Arachaeological Reconnaissance Project (BVAR) in partnership with American Foreign Academic Research (AFAR) continued excavations around the site.  

About this Adventure

The Cahal Pech Mystery adventure spans four weeks. Over the course of the ongoing excavation, four packages will be delivered to you; each package is an assortment of clues of varied form and function. Your role is to solve the mystery by piecing together the information in letters, official documents, journals, ship manifests, field reports, relics, and a hodgepodge of other items. But it’s never easy…

During the course of this adventure, you will receive one (or more) replicas or reproductions of significant items connected to the site created by skilled artisans.

$149 + Shipping

Cahal Pech Epigrapher

An interview with Dr. Marc Zender
Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Tulane University

What is your area of expertise?

As an epigrapher (that is, a specialist in the study of ancient inscriptions), I consult with archaeological projects in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. I record painted and inscribed hieroglyphs in photographs and line drawings for archaeological reports, and I translate hieroglyphs uncovered during excavations. Not all Maya signs are deciphered yet, so each new context frequently sheds light on long-standing mysteries. My research focus is on the formal development of Maya writing over the two thousand year period of its use, a topic known as paleography to specialists. But the reality is that you never know what a new inscription will say, and one day you may be studying ancient mythology, the next day political intrigue and assassination. It keeps you on your toes!

What is the most amazing find you’ve ever uncovered on an archaeological site?

At my first archaeological dig in the Maya area, in Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico, we uncovered a fairly humble burial in a temple complex. This wasn't a king's burial, or even a member of the royal family, but rather a priest. He was middle-aged and had been buried with his priestly effects: stingray spines (for bloodletting), stone and crystal spheres (for divination), needles and cutting tools (for healing the sick), all in a much-deteriorated jaguar-skin bag which likely would also have held incense and even a book. Most fascinating of all, the burial contained a series of inscribed hieroglyphic texts spanning the last twelve years of the priest's life, telling us his name (Aj Pakal Tahn) and detailing his priestly duties, including the annual ceremonies he conducted on the Spring equinox  (March 21-22) to ensure the coming of the rains. 

What historical mystery do you wish you could solve?

The largest city in Mesoamerica during the Early Classic Period (ca. AD 200-600) was Teotihuacan, in Central Mexico, and archaeologists have learned it dominated international politics in its heyday, establishing fortresses in far-flung parts of Mexico and Guatemala, and meddling in the affairs of its neighbors. It may even have conquered Tikal in AD 378. Many historical mysteries are undoubtedly waiting to be revealed in its enigmatic writing system, but their writing is unfortunately still undeciphered. We don't even know what language or languages it recorded. More than anything, I would love to be able to read the texts of Teotihuacan. 

Rumor is that Puzzles from the Past is a front for the activities of an organization simply known as “The League.” Any truth to the rumor?

There are always rumors. Only a few of them are ever true. 

Are you saying you are not involved with that organization?

I’m involved with the excavations at Cahal Pech and the organizations working at that site. I have no further comment. 

Endorsements

"What a great and engaging journey…it all starts when we opened our first package, our 10 year old was immediately entranced with the mystery. The package was so well put together and authentic they left us searching for more and that is when the second set of clues arrives and so on…we were engaged and learning together. Such a great approach to history and archeology."

— Ricky P.
Charlotte, North Carolina

"The mystery grabbed me from the initial delivery from Belize. The items were expertly crafted and full of surprises. Beware - not all is as it seems. I can't wait for the next mystery."

— Mo B.
Atlanta, Georgia.

"Puzzles from the Past is excitement, intrigue, learning and just pure plain fun.  Things don’t often turn out to be what you first thought..."

— Barbara N.
Entrepreneur and Apple Computer Educator

"Puzzles From the Past is fun for the whole family. Weekly packages were delivered and we gathered to decipher the meaning of each item! The replica artifacts were extremely well done and found their way to school."

— Dave S.
Denver, Colorado

Preserving History for Future Generations

With the purchase of every PFTP Adventure, PFTP makes a contribution to preserve the specific archaeological site in order to ensure these historically significant locations can be enjoyed and used as educational resources for ourselves and future generations.