El Meco is not the original name for the site, that has been lost to time. El Meco was a nickname for a local resident who was bowlegged and for some odd reason, they named it after him. The site was a small, self-sufficient fishing village dating back to 300 AD (the early classical period 300-600 AD) it was later abandoned and then resettled in the late 10th century. The structures were built between the 13th and 16th century. The central plaza with the pyramid temple, know as El Castillo, was dedicated to the Mayan rain god Chaac. The pyramid was also a reference point for coastal navigation because the top can be seen from the water. El Meco was a major commercial port and religious center and also served as a port for Isla Mujeres (much like Puerto Juárez is today). The site was abandoned shortly after the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. While exploring the Ancient Mayan ruins of "El Meco" near Puerto Juarez, Mexico we came across what appeared to be a fragment or the leg of a ceramic vessel in the ground near the roots of a Mangrove tree. Please let us know what you think it is in the comment section below
