There are many frequently visited and famous archaeological sites and among them is the renowned Ruins of Tikal in Peten, Guatemala. Of all the ruined cities of the Ancient Maya civilization, Tikal is both the popular, impressive not to mention the largest and most probably the oldest.
The Abandonment Of The Tikal Ruins
According to studies, Tikal was estimated to have housed approximately 100 thousand Maya people. And the city was eventually abandoned and was left to be taken up the rainforest for reasons that are not yet known to men. The time of desertion of the southern lowlands Maya centers was believed to be from 600 AD to 800 AD. And there are actually a number of presumptions that try to clarify why the Maya people eventually left. One of the several probable and discussed reasons include: overpopulation, warfare, foreign invasion, revolt against tyranny plus numerous damaging natural disasters.
Although there were many concluded reasons yet the focus of the abandonment was only on the southern lowlands. This has left the northern lowlands to keep on prospering until the Late Classic Period.
The Charming Beauty Of The Ruins Of Tikal
The city's vast coverage is one appealing characteristics of the Tikal ruins. There is certainly no other ruined city that can rival the size that Tikal has enveloped. Over four thousand structures comprised the place such as temples, plazas and a great pyramid, making the place very huge.
Tikal does not only boasts its numerous well-reserved architectural ingenuity but also provides its visitors an exceptional opportunity for animal lovers and bird watchers. There are actually numerous animal species that could be seen along the paths, including; howler monkeys, spider monkeys, gray foxes, red coatis and a variety of winged-creatures. One good reason enough to visit the ruins of Tikal is to experience a relaxing and bird watching moment.
The Famous Pyramid, Temples And Plazas Of Tikal Ruins
The Great Plaza Of Tikal Structure
The Great Plaza is regarded as the most impressive Tikal structure and it's circled by altars and tall sculptured monuments, residential and governmental palaces, a ball court and ceremonial buildings.
The Temple Of The Great Jaguar
This is just the first amongst the many temples in Tikal; also called Tikal I. This temple is located on the eastern side of the Great Plaza and stands more than 150 feet. Ah Cacao's tomb was found inside and it was assumed that it was around 700 AD that the temple was built.
The Temple of the Masks Or Temple II
Located west of Great Plaza, this temple stands at 120 feet high. It is also known as Temple II. This was at the same time put up under the orders of Ah Cacao on the same time as the Temple I.
The Temple III Or Temple Of The Jaguar Priest
The Temple III towers the 1st two temples at 180 feet and positioned on the western side of Temple II. What this temple features is an almost intact carved lintel which represents a main character which is dressed in a jaguar coat.
The Iconic Temple IV Or Temple of the Double-Headed Serpent
Also known as Temple IV, this structure stands 212 feet high and surely the tallest structure in the city. Around 470 AD, this structured was ordered to be built by Yaxkin Caan Chac.
Tikal Temple V
Standing 187 feet high, this is deemed to be the second tallest temple in Tikal and in fact a mortuary pyramid. Its name was given by the archaeologists and thus far it has remained to be called just that.
The Temple of the Inscriptions - The Stepped Pyramid
This is a home of the longest hieroglyphic recording of all times, also known as Temple VI. This can be found on the south side of the Mendez causeway. This was also thought to be constructed under Yaxkin Caan Chac and estimated to be built around 766 AD.
The Plaza of the Great Pyramid Of Tikal
On the southwest of the Great Plaza lies the Great Pyramid of Tikal. It is the city's largest pyramid. Standing 100 feet high, this forms a fraction of an astronomical complex along with other structures. The Great Masks refer to the south structures.
The Plaza of the Seven Temples In Tikal
A five-door palace along with a group of ceremonial buildings can be found on the east side of the Great Pyramid. It was believed that the palace was erected during the preclassic era and that the merging of the ceremonial structures took place during the post-classic era.
The Tikal ruins became the Tikal National Park in 1958. Then in 1979 it was declared as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The ruined city was meticulously restored as well as maintained, a process which generally transformed the previously deserted Maya city to a wonderfully landscaped archaeological site.
The Abandonment Of The Tikal Ruins
According to studies, Tikal was estimated to have housed approximately 100 thousand Maya people. And the city was eventually abandoned and was left to be taken up the rainforest for reasons that are not yet known to men. The time of desertion of the southern lowlands Maya centers was believed to be from 600 AD to 800 AD. And there are actually a number of presumptions that try to clarify why the Maya people eventually left. One of the several probable and discussed reasons include: overpopulation, warfare, foreign invasion, revolt against tyranny plus numerous damaging natural disasters.
Although there were many concluded reasons yet the focus of the abandonment was only on the southern lowlands. This has left the northern lowlands to keep on prospering until the Late Classic Period.
The Charming Beauty Of The Ruins Of Tikal
The city's vast coverage is one appealing characteristics of the Tikal ruins. There is certainly no other ruined city that can rival the size that Tikal has enveloped. Over four thousand structures comprised the place such as temples, plazas and a great pyramid, making the place very huge.
Tikal does not only boasts its numerous well-reserved architectural ingenuity but also provides its visitors an exceptional opportunity for animal lovers and bird watchers. There are actually numerous animal species that could be seen along the paths, including; howler monkeys, spider monkeys, gray foxes, red coatis and a variety of winged-creatures. One good reason enough to visit the ruins of Tikal is to experience a relaxing and bird watching moment.
The Famous Pyramid, Temples And Plazas Of Tikal Ruins
The Great Plaza Of Tikal Structure
The Great Plaza is regarded as the most impressive Tikal structure and it's circled by altars and tall sculptured monuments, residential and governmental palaces, a ball court and ceremonial buildings.
The Temple Of The Great Jaguar
This is just the first amongst the many temples in Tikal; also called Tikal I. This temple is located on the eastern side of the Great Plaza and stands more than 150 feet. Ah Cacao's tomb was found inside and it was assumed that it was around 700 AD that the temple was built.
The Temple of the Masks Or Temple II
Located west of Great Plaza, this temple stands at 120 feet high. It is also known as Temple II. This was at the same time put up under the orders of Ah Cacao on the same time as the Temple I.
The Temple III Or Temple Of The Jaguar Priest
The Temple III towers the 1st two temples at 180 feet and positioned on the western side of Temple II. What this temple features is an almost intact carved lintel which represents a main character which is dressed in a jaguar coat.
The Iconic Temple IV Or Temple of the Double-Headed Serpent
Also known as Temple IV, this structure stands 212 feet high and surely the tallest structure in the city. Around 470 AD, this structured was ordered to be built by Yaxkin Caan Chac.
Tikal Temple V
Standing 187 feet high, this is deemed to be the second tallest temple in Tikal and in fact a mortuary pyramid. Its name was given by the archaeologists and thus far it has remained to be called just that.
The Temple of the Inscriptions - The Stepped Pyramid
This is a home of the longest hieroglyphic recording of all times, also known as Temple VI. This can be found on the south side of the Mendez causeway. This was also thought to be constructed under Yaxkin Caan Chac and estimated to be built around 766 AD.
The Plaza of the Great Pyramid Of Tikal
On the southwest of the Great Plaza lies the Great Pyramid of Tikal. It is the city's largest pyramid. Standing 100 feet high, this forms a fraction of an astronomical complex along with other structures. The Great Masks refer to the south structures.
The Plaza of the Seven Temples In Tikal
A five-door palace along with a group of ceremonial buildings can be found on the east side of the Great Pyramid. It was believed that the palace was erected during the preclassic era and that the merging of the ceremonial structures took place during the post-classic era.
The Tikal ruins became the Tikal National Park in 1958. Then in 1979 it was declared as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The ruined city was meticulously restored as well as maintained, a process which generally transformed the previously deserted Maya city to a wonderfully landscaped archaeological site.
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Are you an animal lover or bird watcher? Are you interested to discover the Mayan ruins? Then you should not miss any of Guatemala tours offered by Duende Tours.
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