Becan was already occupied around 550 BC, and grew to a major ceremonial center a few centuries later. Around 250 AD, a defensive dry moat was constructed around the city center. One of the oldest defensive systems in Mexico, this ditch ran about 16 feet (5 m) deep and 32 feet (10 m) wide. When added to the embankment it created a nearly 40 foot (12 m) high defensive barrier. Around this time, the population and scale of construction declined although it remained a significant Maya site. From 500 AD Becan experienced another growth in population and many large new buildings were constructed, mostly in the Rio Bec style of Maya architecture. Construction ceased around 830 AD, but Becan continued to be occupied until 1200.
