The ancient Mayan ruins at Tikal in Guatemala are the remains of a city that was the capital of a powerful Maya kingdom. The ruins date back to at least the 4th century B.C. and were most active from 200 to 900 A.D.
History
- Historians believe the city was originally called Yax Mutal.
- The city was a major political, economic, and military power in the Maya region.
- The city interacted with other areas of Mesoamerica, including Teotihuacan.
- The city was abandoned around 900 A.D. for unknown reasons.
- The city was rediscovered in 1848 and has been excavated in parts since then.
Features
- The ruins include thousands of architectural and artistic remains.
- The ruins include large pyramid-style temples.
- The ruins include Mundo Perdido, one of the earliest pyramids at Tikal, which was built around 1 A.D.
- The ruins include Tikal Temple I, also known as the Temple of the Great Jaguar, which was built around 732 A.D.
Protection
- The ruins have been part of Tikal National Park since the 1960s.
- The ruins were named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
