Cozumel

An island located less than 20 miles off the east coast of the northern Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico that was a trading port and pilgrimage spot for the Maya. Its earliest artifacts date to c 1000 BC, but its rise began from 300 BC (Late Pre-Classic or Formative period) and its major period of occupation was the Post-Classic, c 800-1000. Cozumel was a major link in the long-distance trading network which the ancient Maya operated between Honduras and Guatemalan Highlands to the south, around the Peninsula, to Tabasco, Campeche, and Veracruz in the west. It was also a place of pilgrimage to the Mayan mood (and childbirth) goddess Ix Chel. Its ceremonial architecture, however, is considerably more modest that the great Classic centers of the mainland. Cozumel is the putative starting-point for the Itza migrations into the northern Yucatan. The Spanish explorers discovered it in 1518.

An island located 16 km off the east coast of the northern Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Although its earliest artefacts date to c 1000 be, its major period of occupation was in the Post-Classic. Important as a redistribution centre in coastal trade networks, it was coincidentally a place of pilgrimage to the Mayan moon goddess lx Chel. Its ceremonial architecture, however, is considerably more modest than the great Classic centres of the mainland. Under the control of the Putun for some time, Cozumel is the putative starting-point for the Itza migrations into the northern Yucatan. The Conquistadore Hernan Cortes briefly reviewed his small army here in February 1519.