Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site
Excavation at "Jewel of the Ceren", a pre-Columbian Maya farming village that is preserved remarkably intact after it was destroyed by volcanic ash around 600 A.D. Loma Calsera, a nearby volcano, erupted and buried the village but apparently a warning earthquake gave residents time to flee. Thick ash from the volcano covered their personal belongings, from garden tools and bean-filled pots to sleeping mats and religious items, essentially freezing the agricultural village in time. Because of the exceptional condition of the remains, they provide an insight into the daily lives of the Central American people who worked the land at that time. The accidental discovery of the archaeological site occurred during the construction of government grain-storage silos in 1976, when a clay-built structure was exposed by a bulldozer. Excavations were carried out under the direction of Dr. Payson D. Sheets (University of Colorado) in 1978-1980 but were interrupted by civil war. They were resumed in 1988 and have been continuing since that time. The site was recognized internationally for its significance and unique characteristics when it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
Copan Ruins is a huge complex consisting of several plazas and many temples built on various levels. The larger site, Copan, is Mayan, whereas the smaller one, Las Sepultureas, is Lenca and about .62 of a mile from the main one. Both sites sit in an exceptional verdant valley divided by the Rio Chamelecon. Forested mountains surround big tobacco farms in this valley. And the jungle that surrounds Copan is lush and filled with a variety of sounds, from the flutter of the hummingbird wings to the cries of the macaws and the yell of the howler monkeys. Hallmark of the Maya golden age: Richly carved headdresses frame the serene face of the noblewomen on a stele at Copan. BetweenA.D. 250 and 900, while their civilization flourished, the Maya erected such monuments to commemorate significant occasions in the lives of rulers and of dynasties. DAVID ALAN HARVEY Epic riddle in stone carvings, the Great Hieroglyphic Stairway rises behind a mask-topped faceless stele at Copan. With more than 2,000 glyphs, the steps hold the longest of Maya texts. Long ago an earthquake dislodged and jumbled them, now, as restored, they defy efforts to decipher them. DAVID ALAN HARVEY A toothless, wrinkled old man with the tun, possibly a drum, as his headdress (the only reason I give this old guy a description is that as our guide turned to talk about the old man, the group looked in its direction and there stood Tomas)Parque Nacional, Tikal
Tikal, the crown jewel of Maya archaeological sites, has been fascinating visitors for over a hundred years with its stunning beauty and sheer grandeur as it rises out of the lush jungle of Guatemala's Peten district. It is a large and remote site, far from Guatemala City, and yet has been visited by most Guatemalans, who take justifiable pride in this national treasure. At its height, during the Classic period around 500 A.D., Tikal had a population of 50,000 to 100,000 people. Many consider it the main government city of the Maya civilization. For reasons not yet clear, around 870 A.D. the city's decline began, and it was completely deserted by the end of 900 A.D. Restored ruins suggest the ancient grandeur of an immense populous city. Beyond the towering Temple of the Giant Jaguar, dense jungle conceals the remains of the metropolis that covered 50 sq. miles in the heart of the Maya world. Only a few of the many structures have been excavated, however, the visitor is struck by the number of hills, ridges and terraces with stones and rubble visible beneath the moss and jungle growth. Today, Tikal is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and national park, with 222 sq. miles of unspoiled natural beauty. It is home to many exotic animals, including tapir, jaguar, crocodile, cougars, coati mundi, and other species as well as a colorful assortment of birds including the oscellated turkey.
One of the largest Maya sites in Guatemals, Yaxha, which translates as "green waters", is located approximately 18 miles southeast from Tikal between Lake Yaxha and Lake Sacnab. Spread out over nine plazas the site contains over 500 structures, including 40 stelae, several pyramid temples and ball courts. Yaxha is one of the few Maya cities to retain its traditional Mayan name. The relative lack of inscribed monuments found at Yaxha has made tracking its history difficult, though it appears it was a major player during the Classic period, supporting a population of more than 20,000 people. The ruins are spread over nine plazas contaning 500 mapped structures including temples, ball courts and palaces.Lamanai Ruins: Mayan for "Submerged Crocodile"
Located beneath the jungle canopy along The New River Lagoon, it is the second largest Mayan site in Belize. Lamanai was occupied continuously from 1500 BC until the nineteenth century, making it the longest known settlement of the Mayan era--probably in part due to its situation on a major trade route, The New River. Unlike other ancient ruins, much of the Lamanai Belize archaeological site was built in layers. Successive populations built upon the temples of their ancestors, instead of destroying them. Although hundreds of ruins remain unexcavated in the nearby jungle, three of the most impressive temples have been renovated: the Jaguar Temple, named for the boxy jaguar decoration; the Mask temple, adorned by a 13 foot stone mask of an ancient Mayan king; and the High Temple, offering a panoramic view from its summit.
(Copyright 2012)
