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.
Even if there are a number of reasons of abandonment yet the focus of the desertion was only on the southern lowlands which left the northern lowlands to prosper continuously until the Late Classic Period.
The Appeal And 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: The Most Magnificent 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 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 Double-Headed Serpent's Temple
This is also known as Temple IV and without a doubt the tallest structure in the ruined city of Tikal. It stands 212 feet high. It was around 470 AD that this structure was ordered to be built by Yaxkin Caan Chac.
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
Also called Temple VI, this structure can be found on the south side of the Mendez causeway. Aside from that, its roof comb is home to the longest hieroglyphic recording of all times. The date of construction was estimated to be around 766 AD as well as thought to be constructed under Yaxkin Caan Chac.
The Plaza of the Great Pyramid Of The Lost City
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 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.
Even if there are a number of reasons of abandonment yet the focus of the desertion was only on the southern lowlands which left the northern lowlands to prosper continuously until the Late Classic Period.
The Appeal And 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: The Most Magnificent 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 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 Double-Headed Serpent's Temple
This is also known as Temple IV and without a doubt the tallest structure in the ruined city of Tikal. It stands 212 feet high. It was around 470 AD that this structure was ordered to be built by Yaxkin Caan Chac.
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
Also called Temple VI, this structure can be found on the south side of the Mendez causeway. Aside from that, its roof comb is home to the longest hieroglyphic recording of all times. The date of construction was estimated to be around 766 AD as well as thought to be constructed under Yaxkin Caan Chac.
The Plaza of the Great Pyramid Of The Lost City
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 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.
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