Guatemala's Impressive Tikal Ruins

Guatemala's Impressive Tikal Ruins

by Duende Tours

In Guatemala in Peten, the famed Tikal Ruins is one of the many well known and well-visited archaeological sites. Apart from being the largest and probably the oldest among all of the ruined cities of the Ancient Maya civilization, Tikal is not only popular but it's at the same time very impressive.

The Tikal Ruins Was Eventually Abandoned

Studies revealed that around 100 thousand Maya people were housed by Tikal. However, for reasons that are still mystery to men, the city was abandoned and was left to be consumed by the rainforest. The time period of desertion for the southern lowlands Maya centers was determined to be from 600 AD to 800 AD and there are numerous presumptions that endeavor to reveal why the Maya people departed. On the list of numerous potential and discussed reasons include foreign invasion, overpopulation, warfare, revolt against tyranny along with several detrimental natural catastrophes.

Regardless of the many reasons, throughout that period, the focus of the desertion was only on the southern lowlands. And this has left the northern lowlands to keep on prospering until the late Classic Period.

The Charming Beauty Of The Ruins Of Tikal

The ruins of Tikal cover the city vastly which is one of its appealing features. There is certainly no other ruined city that can compare with the size that Tikal has covered. The place is so big as it is filled with over four thousand structures which consist of a great pyramid, plazas and temples.

Tikal does not only boast its many well reserved architectural ingenuity but also gives bird watchers and animal lovers an exceptional opportunity. You can find a lot of species of animals which can be seen along the paths, like gray foxes, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, red coatis and various winged-creatures. Wanting to have a relaxing and amazing bird watching experience is one good reason to visit the ruins of Tikal.

Tikal Ruins Famed Plazas, Temples and Pyramid

The Great Plaza: The Most Magnificent Tikal Structure

The Great Plaza is known as the most breathtaking Tikal structure and it is surrounded by tall sculptured monuments and altars, residential and governmental palaces, ceremonial buildings and a ball court.

The Temple Of The Great Jaguar

This temple is one of the numerous temples in Tikal and is also known as Temple I. Standing over 150 feet; this temple is located to the east of Great Plaza. Inside, the tomb of Ah Cacao was found and an assumption was made that the temple was established around 700 AD.

The Temple Of The Masks In Tikal

This is also known as Temple II and located west of the Great Plaza, standing 120 feet high. This was likewise built under Ah Cacao's orders on the same time as the Temple I.

The Temple Of The Jaguar Priest Also Known As Temple III

The Temple III towers the 1st two temples at 180 feet and found on the western side of Temple II. One of the most interesting things that this temple showcases is an almost intact carved lintel which illustrates significant character wearing a jaguar coat.

The Iconic Temple IV Or Temple of the Double-Headed Serpent

Standing 212 feet high, this Temple IV is certainly the tallest structure in the ruined city of Tikal. This structure was constructed by Yaxkin Caan Chac around 470 AD.

The Pyramid Tikal Temple V

This is in fact a mortuary pyramid that stands 187 feet tall and the second tallest temple in Tikal. The archaeologists gave its name and until now it has remained to be called just that.

Temple VI Or The Temple Of The Inscriptions

Located on the south side of the Mendez causeway, the Temple VI's roof comb is the home of the longest hieroglyphic recording of all times. Also thought to be established under Yaxkin Caan Chac, the construction date was estimated to be around 766 AD.

The Plaza of the Great Pyramid Of Tikal

The largest pyramid in the city is the Great Pyramid of Tikal which is positioned on the southwest of the Great Plaza. It is estimated to be approximately 100 feet high and together with other structures it forms a fraction of an astronomical complex. The structures in the south are dubbed as the Great Masks.

The Plaza of the Seven Temples Found In Tikal

A group of ceremonial buildings along with a five-door palace can be found on the eastern side of the Great Pyramid. While the palace was thought to have been built during the preclassic era, the ceremonial structures are thought to have merged during the post classic era.

The ruins of Tikal became the Tikal National Park in the year 1958. Eventually in 1979, UNESCO declared it as a World Cultural Heritage Site. The ruined city was carefully restored and also conserved, a process which actually made the once forgotten Maya city into a superbly landscaped archaeological site.



Are you an animal lover or bird watcher? Are you interested to discover the Mayan ruins? Then you should not miss any of <a href="http://www.onejungle.com/travel-resources/adventure-travel-gallery/guatemala">Guatemala tours</a> offered by <a href="http://www.onejungle.com/about-us">Duende Tours</a>.

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