Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Visiting the Ruins
Maya achievement during this period rivaled anything that was going on in Europe at the
time, boasting an advanced writing system, awe-inspiring engineering feats, advanced
mathematics and astrology, and stone-working skills that remain impressive to this day.
Many legacies of the Maya have disappeared over time. Archaeological pieces have
been carried off either by tomb raiders or foreign governments and much cultural heritage
has been lost over the centuries due to government and church campaigns to assimilate the
Maya into mainstream Hispanic culture. Outside of Guatemala City's fantastic selection of
museums, the best way to get a feel for the amazing achievements of this unique culture is
to visit archaeological sites.
Visiting a Maya ruin can be a powerful experience, a true step back in time. While some
sites are little more than a pile of rubble or some grassy mounds, others (such as Tikal and
Copán) have been extensively restored, and the temples, plazas and ballcourts give an ex-
cellent insight into what life must have been like in these places.
