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Early Classic Tikal: Exploring Ancient Mayan Civilization in the Americas

Discover the rich history and archaeological investigations of Tikal, an ancient Mayan city located in the Americas. This lecture explores the early Classic period of Tikal, its architecture, burial sites, and political terminology. Follow the fascinating journey through the excavations and learn about the significant discoveries made by leading archaeologists.

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Early Classic Tikal: Exploring Ancient Mayan Civilization in the Americas

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  1. Ancient Civilizations of the Americas Lecture 13 Early Classic Tikal

  2. Tikal- Ti-k’al “Place of Spirits” in Yucatec Ti ak’al “At the Waterhole” Refers to reservoir in city Ti’k’al – Place of the Count of the Katun (Coggins and Jones) Ancient Name: Yax Mutal “First Flower” “Topknot” (Mod. Motul) David Stuart

  3. History of Tikal Investigations Site was occupied in the 19th century Visited in 1848 by Modesto Mendez and Ambrosio Tut 1877 Dr. Gustav Bernoulli – Swiss, removed three lintels. 1881-82 Alfred Percival Maudslay – Mapped and photographed temples. 1895, 1904 Teobert Maler – Mapped site for Peabody Museum. 1910 Alfred Tozzer – Mapped the temples. 1914-1928 Sylvanus P.Morley – collected inscriptions.

  4. Photographs by A.P. Maudslay 1880’s

  5. The Tikal Project 1955-1969 Undertaken by the University Museum of Pennsylvania Directed by: 1) Ed Shook 1955-1961 Mapped the site and trenched the acropolis. Aubry Trik – architect. 2) Robert S. Dyson 1962 Excavation crew numbers 100 3) William R. Coe II 1963-1969 113 professional archaeologists served on the project. 30+ volumes of reports planned

  6. Proyecto Nacional Tikal 1979-1989 Excavated 5C-XVI Group south of the Lost World pyramid.

  7. Formative Tikal – The Middle Preclassic 800-600 BC Concentrations of Eb ceramics found under the North Acropolis and Lost World (Mundo Perdido) pyramid

  8. Lost World Pyramid (5C-54)

  9. Tikal was located at the edge of a lake (bajo) at a good chert source. • No architecture discovered, apart from chultuns. • Late Preclassic 350 BC – 250 AD • City expands along an E-W axis • E-group constructed at Lost World complex • Lost World pyramid originally had masks of night and day jaguar – sun god K’inich Ahau. • North Acropolis used for royal burials. First building dates to 250-100 BC. Tomb decorations in Izapa style.

  10. First version of Lost World pyramid built 500 BC

  11. History Begins at Tikal – Burial 85, North Acropolis Male buried in front of 5D-sub-1 1st Martin and Grube hypothesize that it might be Yax Ehb’ Xook founder of Classic dynasty 219-238 AD

  12. Royal Ancestor

  13. Extent of Settlement: AD 150 Chak Tok Ich’aak – dies Jan. 31, 378 AD,

  14. AD 378 Teotihuacan Attacks? General: Siyaj K’ak installs Yax Nuun Ayiin as king in AD 379 Siyaj K’ak: “Fire is Born.”

  15. The “marcador”

  16. Talud-Tablero style The marcador celebrates a victory over Uaxactun, erected AD 414

  17. Burial 10, found Beneath temple 5D-34 North Acropolis, of Yax Nuun Ayiin “First Crocodile” Dies AD 426

  18. Ancestor Stela 31 Accession of Siyaj Chan K’awiil II Called Stormy Sky in your Textbook AD 436

  19. Siyaj Chan K’awiil Buried minus his head and hands a year after his death in March 457 AD. Glyphs state tomb lies in the “Flowery Ether of Divine Space”

  20. Some Political Terminology from Tikal Kuhul Ahau also spelled ajaw: King – literally means “holy lord.” Concept changed during the Early Classic. Chacte or OchkinKalomte “Lord of the West”: Emperor – ruler of realm larger than a single city. Applied to Spearthrower Owl. Yajaw: Vassal, relational term. Other contemporary (non-Tikal) terms: Sahal: High-ranking noble Batab: Chieftain.

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