As is the case with many Mayan cities, Comalcalo’s early days are largely a mystery. However, considering how the Olmecs, the Mesoamerican ‘mother civilization,’ lived very close by, the region was likely inhabited since as early as 800 BC.
Comalcalco then became a proper Mayan city from around 250 AD at the beginning of the Classic Period. In ancient times it was known as ‘Joy Chan,’ or ‘Surrounded by Heaven.’
But despite being fully Mayan, Comalcalco and its surroundings lacked something that all other Mayan cities had: stone.
The city’s original inhabitants instead used compacted earth which they then covered with stucco made from carbonized shells. They then began using kilned bricks around 500 AD, held together with mortar also made from crushed oyster shells.
Interestingly, with the stucco coverings long gone, visitors to the ruins today can observe both of these construction phases, sometimes in a single building.
Not only was Comalcalco the only Mayan city to use brick, but archaeologists discovered that many of the bricks were etched with designs, including animals, people and hieroglyphs. Incredibly, as many as 10,000 bricks have been found with designs etched in them before being placed in the fire.
Not long ago, one brick in particular caused quite a stir, as it was found inscribed with the Baktun (Mayan Long Count) date of 13.0.0.0.0 4 Ahau 3 Kankin, or December 21, 2012. If you’ll recall, there were countless theories and doomsday prophecies in the lead-up to 2012, and the Comalcalco brick discovery only added fuel to the fire.
Obviously, nothing happened on that date and the hype surrounding 2012 is now remembered in the same vein as the Y2K scare. But did the Mayans themselves really believe the world was supposed to end in 2012? It’s highly unlikely, as an inscription at Palenque even mentions the date 4772 AD!
Speaking of Palenque, Comalcalco likely served as an outpost of the mighty city for much of its early history. And it wouldn’t have just marked the western border of Palenque’s territory, but that of the Mayan civilization as a whole.
Comalcalco, however, would outlast Palenque, with many of the capital’s residents migrating there after the city’s fall in the 8th century.
From the 6th-10th centuries, Comalcalco was considered one of the most important cities in the northwest part of the Mayan world, and it wouldn’t be fully abandoned until around 1350.
Long after its fall, nearby residents would use bricks from the ruins in the construction of their own homes. As you’ll see during your visit, however, a good chunk of the original city remains intact.