Dzibanche

Dzibanche () (sometimes spelt '''Tz'ibanche), anciently called Kaanu'l''', is an extensive archaeological site of the ancient Maya civilization located in southern Quintana Roo, Mexico. The great Maya city of Dzibanche was the first capital of the Kaan kingdom (Snake kingdom) and the place of origin of the Kaanu'l dynasty, a powerful Maya lineage that conquered and dominated a large territory of the central Maya lowlands during the Mesoamerican Classic period.

The initial settlement of the site dates to the Preclassic period (around 300 BC). During the Early Classic period between the late 4th and early 5th century, the Kaanu'l dynasty of Dzibanche started a great military expansion through a complex strategy of military conquests and alliances, they subordinated sites and achieved victories against major Maya cities. During its zenith Dzibanche constitud the most powerful Maya city of the entire region and the Kaan kingdom became the dominant hegemony of the Maya Lowlands for two centuries. In the year 636, a part of the Kaan lineage of Dzibanche divided and settled in the city of Calakmul, establishing it as their second capital. The part of the Kaanu'l family that remained at Dzibanche continued the development of the city and archived victories againts near sites until around the 11th century when the city was abandoned.