Tulum City Map Poster

About Tulum

Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya; it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries. It is located on a strip of land that separates Caribbean Sea from Lago Tulum, an inlet of the sea. The city may have been established during this time period or earlier, with evidence pointing to occupation beginning as early as 200 BC.[2] The ceremonial center was built about 800 AD,[3] with major construction ending around 1000 AD.[4][5] During this period, Tumen potters developed a style which they called "black-on-white", characterized by vessels made using clay mixed with crushed shells (the black) decorated using incised lines (the white). This type of pottery has been found throughout southern Quintana Roo state in sites associated with Mayan culture such as Chunchucmil[6], Coba,[7], Xcaret[8][9], Playa del Carmen [10]. The site consists mostly of low stone walls surrounding large buildings and plazas.