Dzibilchaltun, Archaeological site in Yucatán, Mexico

Dzibilchaltun is a sprawling archaeological site north of Mérida with hundreds of structures scattered among low forest and a cenote. The central temple rises from a rectangular platform, while a network of paths links the different areas of the settlement.

Dzibilchaltún was occupied from about 600 BC to 1100 AD, with its peak in the Late Classic period between 800 and 1000 AD, when it held more than 25,000 inhabitants and dominated northwestern Yucatán. A 16th-century open chapel was built at the site after the Spanish conquest.

The site's Maya name means "where there are writings on flat stones," referring to the many carved stelae. The Temple of the Seven Dolls takes its name from seven small clay figurines found beneath its floor in the 1950s. The cenote Xlacah, meaning "Old Town," was a water source and ritual site.

The grounds open from early morning until late afternoon and are best explored in the cooler morning hours before the sun grows too intense. Visitors should bring closed shoes and a hat, as paths can be uneven and shade remains sparse.

Cenote Xlacah, meaning "Old Town" in Maya, lies at the center of the ruins and measures 100 meters long, 40 meters wide and up to 40 meters deep. Divers have recovered carved bones, wooden objects and many vases from its waters, showing it was the center of a religious cult. It is currently closed, apparently for maintenance, with evidence of pollution from nearby residential wastewater.