The Tikal: Mayan City of Five Towering Pyramids (Part – 1)

By asad russel –

About the Tikal, Guatemala:
In the modern day Guatemala around 700 AD the Tikal was flourished which was a Mayan city. For the five towering pyramids and of the surrounding rain forest’s rich fauna and flora the Tikal is well-known.

The history of the Tikal:
In the Middle Formative Period of the Mayan history from 900 BC to 300 BC was first inhabited the Tikal, then just a small village was the Tikal. From 300 BC to 100 AD in the Late Formative Period, as an important ceremonial center it became and were constructed numerous temples and pyramids. Between the 100 AD and 200 AD by the Yax Ehb’ Xok means ‘First Step Shark’ was established the first ruling dynasty of Tikal.

In the Late Classic Period from 600 AD to 900 AD especially flourished the city of Tikal, around 700 AD reaching its peak when in the city center lived about 10,000 people and outlying areas 50,000 more people occupied.

Decline in the quality of artistic and with rapid depopulation after 800 AD began to decline the great ceremonial center. For certain is not known the cause, but including a major drought to the climate changes was probably related. Dates from 889 at the Tikal the last dated monumental stelae (Stelae no.29). The site was abandoned by the 10th century.

Into the jungle gradually receded the Mayan city and was forgotten mostly, among the native people save for some local legends. By a collector of chiclero the Ambrosio Tut in 1848 by chance it was rediscovered, and shortly thereafter scholarly investigation began.

In 1931 as a National Monument Tikal was designed and in 1955 as the National Park. In 1977 in the original Star Wars movie for a rebel base it stood in and in 1979 become a World Heritage Site.

At the Tikal what to see:
There are astonishing 3,000 structures in the Tikal National park, to be excavated many of them remain. There are tombs, temples, residential buildings, with hieroglyphs inscribed the stelae.

In the central area every visit must include where located the main pyramids, but in search of more outlying ruins wandering the jungles to occupy several pleasant days it is possible from there. It is needless to say that, without a good compass and a good map (at the entrance is available) this should not be done.

The five large pyramids are the most notable structures, by archaeologist given Roman numerals but by the temples which crown them better known. The Great Plaza if the heart of this ancient city, covering 1.5 acres an open grassy space and by impressive monuments enclosed. The North Acropolis is the oldest part, from as early as 250 AD which dates, dates from the 700’s the two largest pyramids (I & II).

Shortly after the death of King Hasaw Chan K’awil (r.682-721) to contain his tomb was built the Jaguar Temple or the Pyramid I. By his successor the pyramid was built but probably before the death by the King himself it was planned. On its door lintel from a jaguar sculpture it gets its name, in a museum in Basel, Switzerland it is now placed.

Will Continue……..

Posted by : Unknown 11:31 PM Tags : Travel Destinations

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