Exploring Tikal

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 Ian's Reports from Costa Rica

The temples and palaces of Tikal rise out of the jungle! Parts of these ruins are over 2500 years old! When they were rediscovered in the 1800's, the view would be of hills and trees, as the temples were all covered by forest!

The model below shows what this city probably looked like during it's height in the year 900.
 
The heart of Tikal is the Great Plaza. The plaza is guarded by Temple I, the Temple of the Great Jaguar, at the east end.
To the north of the Great Plaza is a series of smaller temples. This is called the Great Acropolis.
Within the Great Acropolis are several images, including this one of the sun god.
Temple II, the Temple of the Masks, is at the West end of the Great Plaza. People are allowed to climb up the steps to this temple! How many steps are there? Email answers to Blackberry's Mail!
Of course, Ian needed to go to the top! He didn't want to wait for this picture.
The view from the top of Temple II is impressive! Behind Ian is the Temple of the Great Jaguar.

Even Mr. Light, with his acrophobia, made it to the top! Going down was a bit more painstaking!

Why do you think Temple II is called the Temple of the Masks? Email answers to Blackberry's Mail!
Several people have fallen down the stairs of the Temple of the Great Jaguar, and so people are no longer allowed to climb these steps.
To the south and east of the Great Plaza is a series of many passageways and small rooms. This is called the Central Acropolis.
The Central Acropolis may have been a royal palace. Here is Ian sitting with our guide on a throne. Here, the Mayan king would receive visitors.
This doorway still has its original wood lintels above it!
Some people think that the Central Acropolis may have been an area where sacrifices were performed. Some of the ancient drawings show sacrifices being performed.
This altar and stella may have been used for sacrifices.
Ian met a friend, Anthony, on the tour. Here they are sitting in what was once a sauna!
Over the centuries, rulers would add new layers to the old structures. When they did, they would fill in the old rooms so the temples wouldn't collapse. The excavation here shows some of the layers. Can you tell how many layers were built over this structure? Email answers to Blackberry's Mail!
The Mayans developed a very sophisticated calendar system. This pyramid, part of the "Lost World" area of Tikal, is believed to have been an ancient observatory. There are 3 pyramids to the east of it. The sun rises over one on the summer solstice, another on the winter solstice, and the middle one on the spring and fall equinoxes.
This is another view of the central pyramid of the "Lost World". Why do you think this part of Tikal was called the "Lost World"? Email answers to Blackberry's Mail!
This is a view of Temple I, II, and III from Temple IV. It is amazing to see these pyramids rising from the rainforest!

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