Tikal, an archeological site
on the Yucatan in modern day Guatemala, was once the center of Mayan life. The
modern Tikal national park covers an area of 222 square miles in the tropical
jungle of the El Peten area. The area is located roughly in the middle of the
base of the Yucatan peninsula.
The Tikal complex site itself is only about six square miles with about 3000 structures including temples, pyramids, tombs, palaces, ball courts and terraces. Regarded as being highly important to the archeological world, the Tikal National Park involves over 4000 separate constructions or sites. Some of the more important at the actual complex site are; the Great Plaza, the Temple of the Great Jaguar (Temple I), Temple II, Temple of the Jaguar Priest (Temple III), the Temple of the Double-Headed Serpent (Temple IV), Temple V, the Temple of the Inscriptions (Temple VI), "The Lost World" (Plaza of the Great Pyramid), and the Plaza of the Seven Temples. The most important of these temples is the Temple of the Giant, temple I, which stands about 212 feet high. This temple is the largest building in the ancient Mayan world. The presence of North Acropolis is also noticeable. This is because they surround the area of the Great Plaza. The plaza is where most of the people of Tikal went to socialize. There are another set of Acropolis called the Central, which overlook the Eastern Court Palace in the Eastern section of Tikal.
The age of these structures range from the Pre-classic Mayan period of around 800 BC to the Post-classic of around 900 AD. The original floor of the plaza in this area covers an area of more than two and one half acres. During the Mayan Era in Mesoamerica, Tikal reached its peak population of about 55,000 people. This peak population is believed to be around AD 700. Tikal had many rulers throughout time who had monuments constructed after them. There were 14 different rulers between the time of AD 320 through AD 869, to have a structure built or named after himself.
One of the most significant discoveries of the Tikal complex is the Temple of the Jade Jaguar, named because of an inscription on a door lintel in the temple. It is thought to be the richest royal burial tomb in the entire discovered Mayan world. The site, designated Burial 196, Structure 5D-73, was discovered by Dr. Nicholas M. Hellmuth, and includes the largest pyrite mosaic mirror uncovered in all of Mesoamerica. The jade treasures discovered here were more numerous than any others except that of Pacal's of Palenque or Temple I.
Tikal was rediscovered in the late 1800’s by archaeologists who followed rubber trappers through the forest. This is the first time any Europeans had seen the ruins of the once great Mayan civilization. There is evidence at Tikal which supports the theory that warfare led to the collapse of the Mayans in the 9th century. This warfare is said to have caused the collapse of Tikal and the surrounding environment.
Presently, the Tikal National Park is a place of an animal refuge. Many of Guatemala's animal species are protected at the reserve, along with migratory birds including rare, endangered falcons. The Tikal National Park a natural habitat for red coatis, spider and howler monkeys, raccoons, white-tailed deer, and jaguers.
"Journey through Tikal" Studio 360. http://www.destination360.com/tikal.htm
"Tikal" Guatemala. http://www.guatemala.travel.com.gt/IBtik.htm
"Tomb of the Jade Jaguer" Maya Art & Books. http://maya-art-books.org/html/jade_lecture.html
"Maya Archaeology" Guatemala Online. http://www.quetzalnet.com/QuetzalNET/Archeology.html
Douglas W. Schwartz, Late Lowland Maya http://learning.com/MAYA/sites/tikal.html
Written By: Scott B. Taylor, et al.