Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
found at Uaxactún. The structure now in evidence marks the top of four layers of construc-
tion. There are fabulous views of the Great Plaza and Temple IV from the top, though the
stone central staircase on the temple's steep face can be slippery after it rains. Exercise due
caution.
Temple of the Inscriptions (Temple VI)
The most remote of Tikal's temples, Temple VI lies about one kilometer southeast of the
CentralAcropolisalongthe
Mendez Causeway,
whereitstandsallbyitself.Rediscovered
in 1957, this temple is unique because it contains inscriptions much like the temples found
at Quiriguá and Copán but unlike Tikal's other temples. On the back side of the temple's
12-meter roof comb are a series of 180 glyphs, barely visible today, charting the history of
Tikal's ruling dynasty A.D. 200-766. They also chart Tikal's early history as far back as
1139B.C.,whichtheMayansprobablyguessedat.Still,ceramic evidenceatTikalhascor-
roborated other dates found at the site. The temple is most likely the work of Yik'in Chan
K'awil. Stela 21 and Altar 9 adorn the front of the temple at its base and date to A.D. 736.
The temple's relative isolation makes it an excellent location for spotting wildlife. Rob-
beries, none of them recent, have been reported here. You should probably not wander off
to these parts unaccompanied.
Complexes Q and R
Two other areas deserve mention in this discussion of Tikal's archaeological highlights.
You'll find them shortly after entering the park, on a path bearing right after passing the
ticket control booth. Complex Q and Complex R comprise two sets of Tikal's twin-temple
complexes built by Yax Ain II to commemorate the passing of a
katun.
One of the pyram-
ids at Complex Q has been restored with its corresponding stelae repositioned in front of
it. The best of these,
Stela 22,
can be seen at the
Museo Lítico
and depicts Yax Ain II's
ascension to the throne. The temple here dates to A.D. 771.
Fartherwest,asyouapproachtheMalerCauseway,isComplexR,anothertwin-pyramid
complex dating to A.D. 790.
Tikal'stwomuseumsareoddlyindifferentpartsofthepark.Thefirstoftheseisthe
Museo
Lítico
(9A.M.-noonand1P.M.-4:30P.M.Mon.-Fri.,9A.M.-4P.M.Sat.andSun.,freead-
mission), housing stelae and carved stones from the archaeological site with a scale model
outside showing what the city probably looked like around A.D. 800. There are some in-
teresting photos taken by explorers Alfred Maudslay and Teobert Maler showing Tikal's
