The famed Tikal Ruins of Peten located in Guatemala is amongst the many well-visited and popular archaeological sites. Tikal is not only famous but it is at the same time very impressive as being the largest and the most probably the oldest among all of the ruined cites of the civilization of the ancient Maya.
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 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 Pyramid Of The Great Jaguar
Also known as Temple I, this temple is the first amongst the many temples in Tikal. It is situated to the east of Great Plaza and stands over 150 feet. It was assumed that the temple was built around 700 AD and from the inside, the tomb of Ah Cacao can be found.
The Temple of the Masks Or Temple II
This temple stands at 120 feet high. It is also known as Temple and is located west of Great Plaza. This was as well constructed under the orders of Ah Cacao on the same time as the Temple I.
The Temple Of The Jaguar Priest Also Known As Temple III
The Temple III towers the initial two temples at 180 feet and located on the western side of Temple II. An almost intact carved lintel which depicts a primary character dressed in jaguar coat is featured by this temple.
Tikal's Temple IV Or The 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.
Temple V In Tikal
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 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.
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 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 Pyramid Of The Great Jaguar
Also known as Temple I, this temple is the first amongst the many temples in Tikal. It is situated to the east of Great Plaza and stands over 150 feet. It was assumed that the temple was built around 700 AD and from the inside, the tomb of Ah Cacao can be found.
The Temple of the Masks Or Temple II
This temple stands at 120 feet high. It is also known as Temple and is located west of Great Plaza. This was as well constructed under the orders of Ah Cacao on the same time as the Temple I.
The Temple Of The Jaguar Priest Also Known As Temple III
The Temple III towers the initial two temples at 180 feet and located on the western side of Temple II. An almost intact carved lintel which depicts a primary character dressed in jaguar coat is featured by this temple.
Tikal's Temple IV Or The 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.
Temple V In Tikal
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 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.
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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.
