Tikal
is an outstanding example of a Classic Maya city with more than 3,000
remaining structures and 200 stone monuments, all located in the Petén
of northern Guatemala. Restoration was begun in the 1950s. William
M. Ferguson and Arthur H. Rohn write, "During Classic times (beginning
around A.D. 250) and before, Tikal stood out as a huge, gleaming,
sparkling island of red pyramid-temples, white buildings, and plazas
in a sea of green forest and cultivated land. Tall temples crowned
with roof combs displaying gigantic sculptures of rulers and gods
jutted up toward the sky from the plazas. Paved streets criss-crossed
the city, reservoirs of water dotted its expanse, and numerous stelae
commemorated important events. In the center of the city spread a
huge market.... Stone palaces provided residences for the nobles.
Merchants, warriors, artisans, and farmers lived in and around the
city." Mesoamerica's Ancient Cities (Niwot, Colo.: University
Press of Colorado, 1990), p.88.
(click
on any thumbnail image to see an enlargement)
