Calakmul was discovered in the early 30s of the last century, but it is until the 1980s that systematic research allows us to discover the essence of this city as one of the most important of the Mayan Classic. The most recent research has concluded that Calakmul is the most important city of the Mayan Classic and together with Tikal and Palenque headed the political organization of the highlands. Hieroglyphic studies have noticed a history of wars between Calakmul and Tikal for nearly a century of history, which speaks of the political rivalry of these cities. There is a unique urban planning, with large ceremonial squares and residential complexes. It is also the site where the largest number of stees have been found in the Mayan area, many of them from the Late Preclassic period (400 a.C.). These are the main subject of epigraphic and iconographic study.

In Balamkú there is a stucco frieze modeled and painted unique in the Mayan area, which was elaborated between 550 and 600 d.C. In the frieze you can see 4 ascent scenes alternated with three jaguars. Each comprises an animal with its head turned back, sitting on the front slit of an Earth Monster mask; his mouth, gives way to a king on his throne. In addition to illustrating in detail the opposite and complementary aspects of the underworld, the whole shows that the dynastic cycle is equated to the solar cycle. In this conception, the accession to the throne is illustrated by the king coming out of the jaws of the terrestrial monster, as the Sun rises from the mouth of the Earth; the king's death is seen as a sunset, when it falls into the mouth of the Earth Monster. Main chronological location: Classic, 300 to 1000 d. C.