Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to another you pass beneath the dense canopy of rainforest amid the rich, loamy aromas of
earth and vegetation. Much of the delight of touring the site comes from strolling the
broad causeways, originally built of packed limestone to accommodate traffic between
temple complexes. By stepping softly you're more likely to spot spider monkeys, agoutis,
foxes, ocellated turkeys and so on.
You can visit Tikal on a day trip from Flores or El Remate. But by spending a night
here, you'll have a chance to visit the ruins both late afternoon and early morning, when
there are fewer other tourists around and wildlife is more active.
History
Tikal is set on a low hill, which becomes evident as you ascend to the Gran Plaza from the
entry road. Affording relief from the surrounding swampy ground, this high terrain may
explain why the Maya settled here around 700 BC. Another reason was the abundance of
flint, used by the ancients to make clubs, spear points, arrowheads and knives. The wealth
of this valuable stone meant good tools could be made, and flint could be traded for other
goods. Within 200 years the Maya of Tikal had begun to build stone ceremonial struc-
tures, and by 200 BC there was a complex of buildings on the site of the Acrópolis del
Norte.
Classic Period
The Gran Plaza was beginning to assume its present shape and extent by the time of
Christ. By the dawn of the early Classic period, around AD 250, Tikal had become an im-
portant religious, cultural and commercial city with a large population. King Yax Ehb'
Xooc, in power about AD 230, is looked upon as the founder of the dynasty that ruled
Tikal thereafter.
Under Chak Tok Ich'aak I (King Great Jaguar Paw), who ruled in the mid-4th century,
Tikal adopted a brutal method of warfare, used by the rulers of Teotihuacán in central
Mexico. Rather than meeting their adversaries on the plain of battle in hand-to-hand com-
bat, the army of Tikal used auxiliary units to encircle the enemy and throw spears to kill
them from a distance. This first use of 'air power' among the Maya of Petén enabled
Siyah K'ak' (Smoking Frog), the Tikal general, to conquer the army of Uaxactún; thus
Tikal became the dominant kingdom in El Petén.
By the middle of the Classic period, in the mid-6th century, Tikal's military prowess
and its association with Teotihuacán allowed it to grow until it sprawled over 30 sq km
