Mundo Perdido (Tikal)
Mundo Perdido (Tikal)
Mundo Perdido (Tikal) – a.k.a “Lost World”, this is the largest ceremonial complex
dating from the pre-classic period at the ancient Maya city of Tikal, in the Petén
Department of northern Guatemala (9 hours, or 536 km. north of Guatemala City). This
area consists of 38 structures including a huge pyramid (which is 32 meters high and 80
meters along its base – surrounded by four worn-out stairways, and large masks
flanking each one). It is thought that this site was once built for astronomical purposes
(the Mayans’ observation of the stars for religious purposes).
Located just toward the east is a long terrace that includes three temples that were
formerly used to observe the stars and mark the time for visual observations throughout
the year. Inside the three temples were six tombs for the royal members of Jaguar Paw,
who ruled in the 4th century but lost their power after an internal (and violent) dispute in
A.D. 378. Another remarkable attraction is the structure 5C-49 (built in A.D. 250). It was
constructed in talud-tablero style, which is an architectural style often used in pre-
Columbian pyramid construction. It consists of a platform structure (the tablero) on top
of an inward-sloping surface (the talud). Since this site was considered sacred to the
Mayan people, it was fortunately preserved in its original form and remained
unchanged, even though the majority of other structures were being repurposed.