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TIKAL
A. Tikal
1. Discovery of the site
a) missionaries may have passed through in 17th century
b) first official expedition in 1848
1) made by commisioner and governor of El Peten
2) account of trip published in 1853 by Berlin Academy of
Science
3) fanciful drawings of stelae and lintels
c) Gustav Bernoulli visited in 1877
1) removed lintels from doorways of Temples I and IV
2) preserved in Museum fur Volkerkunde, in Basel, Switzerland
d) never visited by Stephens and Catherwood
e) systematic exploration by Maudslay in 1881 and 1882
1) first map and plan of features
2) cut trees and took photographs
f) Teobert Maler visited in 1895 and 1904
1) spent three months at site
2) refused to submit map, fearing Peabody would profit
a> has never been found
g) Alfred Tozzer visited site a few years later
1) produced fine photos and first published map (1911)
h) Morley visited the site in 1914, 1921, 1922, and 1928
1) Uaxactun excavations from 1926-1937
i) University Museum initiated 11-year study in 1956
1) first directed by Edwin Shook
2) later directed by William Coe
3) over 100,000 artifacts collected
j) much more work remains to be done at the site
2. Size
a) 16 sq km
b) over 3000 separate constructions
3. Age
a) continuous occupation from Middle Preclassic to Late Classic
b) ca. 1100 years
c) stone monuments span 900-1000 years
4. History and dynastic sequence
a) most of Preclassic and Early Classic construction was in
North Acropolis
1) 5D-26 (Burial 22)
a> dated to Early Classic
b> may have been tomb of Jaguar Paw
2) richly furnished tombs found
b) dominant center in Early Classic
1) Tikal influence on Yaxchilan seen by AD 475 (9.2.0.0.0)
a> appearance of Tikal emblem glyph on Lintel 37 (dated to AD
504)
2) probable influence on Quirigua and Copan
3) controlled much of central lowland trade
a> may have been central redistribution point for lowland goods
and luxury goods from highlands
1> was principal trading partner with Teotihuacan
b> was centrally located
1> easy access to river systems to east and west
2> rivers provided primary avenue of canoe-borne goods from
Caribbean to Gulf of Mexico
3> strategic military position
a: Becan, north of Tikal, constructed defensive walls in Early
Classic
c> large swamps (may have been lakes at one time) may have been
highly productive agriculturally
4) became primary shrine for pilgrimages
5) described as the "Rome of the lowland Maya"
c) relations with Teotihuacan
1) Kaminaljuyu
a> Architecture
b> Ceramics
d) Early Classic
1) earliest date is on Stela 29
a> dates to AD 292 (8.12.14.8.15)
b> sculptured portrait of Tikal ruler holding two-headed
serpent bar
2) early ruler appears on Leyden Plaque at AD 320 (8.14.3.1.12)
a> found near delta of Motagua River in nineteenth century
b> Balam-Ahau-Chaan (Moon-Zero-Bird)
1> Leiden Plaque records accession in 320
3) Jaguar Paw
a> Jaguar Paw mentioned in texts
1> may have preceded individual on Leyden Plaque
2> associated with date of 8.14.0.0.0
4) Curl Nose
a> Curl Nose
1> Stela 18
a: first katun-completion stela
1: dates to AD 396 (8.18.0.0.0)
2: during reign of Curl Nose
2> Identification
a: Smoking Frog
1: brother of Great Jaguar Paw
2: ruler of Uaxactun
b: Schele and Friedel suggest Curl Nose was the nephew of
Smoking Frog
1: mentioned in inscriptions as "noble of" Smoking Frog
c: Curl Nose ruled Tikal under the aegis of Smoking Frog
b> accedes in 379
1> commemorated on Stela 4
a: Stela 4
1: records accession of Curl Nose
A. dated to AD 378 (8.17.12.16.7)
B. apppears seated and facing front
1. shell necklace and large ear flares
C. Chac, long-lipped protector deity over his head
c> year after victory over Uaxactun
1> Smoking Frog oversaw accession of nephew
d> Burial 10
1> identified by Coggins as tomb of Curl Nose
2> carved into hollowed out bedrock beneath 5D-34
3> accompanied by remains of nine other individuals, headless
crocodile, turtles, and birds
4> offerings similar to those from Teotihuacan-period tombs at
Kaminaljuyu
a: ceramic effigy of "old god"
b: beautifully-painted Teotihuacan-style vessels
5> Coggins proposes that Curl Nose was from Kaminaljuyu
a: may have married woman of Tikal Jaguar Paw lineage
5) Stormy Sky
a> accedes ca. 426
b> Stela 31
1> Stormy Sky
a: relationship to Uaxactun
1: forces of Tikal, under leadership of Smoking Frog, attacked
and defeated Uaxactun in AD 378
2: Smoking Frog became ruler of Uaxactun
A. placed nephew on the throne of Tikal
3: Stela 31 commemorates victory over Uaxactun
A. emphasizes importance of bloodletting ritual on June 10, AD
439
1. this event was also celebrated 13 katuns later (AD 695)
b: Stela 31
1: first known monument of Stormy Sky
A. son of Curl Nose and founder of new line of rulers
1. Curl Nose shown above head as celestial ancestor
B. celebration of end of Stormy Sky's first katun in power
1. acceded to power on 8.19.0.0.0 (AD 426)
C. monument dedicated in AD 435 (9.0.10.0.0)
2: discovered in temple built over his tomb
A. burned and shattered prior to burial
B. buried within room filled solidly with rubble in Str. 33-2nd
3: shows ruler holding headdress aloft
A. spearthrower owl-shield depicted in headdress
B. may represent Great Jaguar Paw
1. Smoking Frog his brother
2. Curl Snout his son
4: flanked on sides of monument by figures in Teotihuacan
military regalia
A. interpreted as images of father, Curl Snout
B. shown in the costume of Smoking Frog
5: may have been buried in Burial 48 under 5D-33
A. walls painted with glyphs
B. date corresponding to AD 457
C. fine slab-footed tripod vessels from tomb
c: appears to have brought market orientation of Teotihuacan to
Tikal
6) Kan Boar
a> acceded 485
7) Jaguar Paw Skull
8) seven other rulers?
9) Double Bird
a> raises katun monument in 557
b> conquest of Tikal by Caracol in 562
10) Unnamed rulers
a> one of them buried in Burial 195
11) Animal Skull
e) Late Classic
1) Shield Skull
2) Ah Cacau
a> ruled 682-734
3) Yax Kin
a> ruled 734-755 (768)?
4) Chitam
5) later rulers poorly known
5. Monuments
a) over 200 stone monuments (stelae and altars)
6. Artifacts
a) over 100,000 tools, ceremonial objects, ornaments, and other
items
7. Layout
a) aguadas and bajos
b) Mundo Perdido Complex
c) Great Plaza
1) four superimposed floors
a> average about 15 in thick
b> limestone bedrock only two feet under
2) 70 stelae and altars
d) North Acropolis
1) Early Classic complex
2) base of about 2.5 acres
3) traces of as many as 100 buildings
4) burials
a> Burial 10
1> Curl Nose
b> Burial 48
1> chamber cut into bedrock
a: dug immediately prior to the latest stairway from the North
Terrace into the Acropolis
2> walls painted with text dating to March 18, AD 457
3> Stormy Sky
c> Burial 195
1> vaulted chamber containing a single skeleton
2> four wooden figures of rain god in blue
a: saved by injecting them with plaster
3> stuccoed wooden throne
4> pair of alabaster rodents
5) Structure 5-D 33 removed
a> original pyramid towered 110 ft
b> earlier temples found beneath it
c> Stela 31 erected in rear chamber of Str. 33-2nd
1> discovered during tunnelling in 1960
2> standing in solidly filled rear room fo 33-2nd
a: protected finely-carved surfaces
3> lower part of stela burned in place
4> incense burners smashed around it
5> probably buried in 8th century
e) Temple I
1) Temple of the Giant Jaguar
a> now known at Temple of Ah Cacau
2) 170 feet high
3) built about AD 700
4) ornamental roof comb
a> probably once painted
5) construction stairway
6) three temple chambers with corbelled vaults
a> beneath floor at center of rear room was deep pit leading
down to grave of important individual
b> pit filled with Postclassic incensarios, copal, and a burial
7) two of the original wooden lintels
a> made of zapote
b> replacement of epoxy
8) pit to Early Postclassic tomb found in back of room in 1958
9) Burial 116
a> large, vaulted chamber
1> measured 14.5 X 8 ft
2> all but 2.5 ft of floor area occupied by bench
b> tomb of Ah Cacau
1> skeleton laid out on bench
a: remains on woven mat fringed with jade and shell
2> tomb offerings
a: jades, pearls, pottery, alabaster, Spondylus
b: 180 pieces of jade
1: massive jadeite necklace
2: 16 1/2 pounds
c: polychrome jars and plates, one in the form of a sectioned
conch shell
d: heap of 90 bone fragments
1: 37 were engraved, highlighted with cinnabar
c> excavation into plaza before building temple
10) Yax Kin
a> Ah Cacau's son
b> buried in Tomb 196
1> in small pyramid behind Temple II
2> died ca. 766
f) Temple II
1) 125 feet high
2) Temple of the Masks
3) may have commemorated wife of Ah Cacau
4) wooden lintel depicting woman
g) Central Acropolis
1) 700 ft long
2) covers about 4 acres
3) in latest stage it consist of six courts surrounded by
low-lying buildings
4) questions of whether these were residential or
administrative
5) rooms with corbelled vaults
a> inner corners of door jambs have dowels for curtains
b> much graffiti on walls, some showing ceremonial scenes and
portraits
6) Maler's Palace (5D-65)
a> two-story structure
7) "Five-story Palace"
h) Temple III
1) 180 feet high
2) Temple of the Jaguar Priest
3) construction date of AD 810 suggested
4) beautiful lintel
a> may depict Chitam
b> dressed in jaguar pelt
5) Stela 24 and Altar 6 at base of stairway
i) Temple IV
1) 212 feet high
2) 250,000 yards of construction material
3) lintels now in Basel
a> dates on lintel beams of AD 720
j) Temple V
1) 190 feet high
2) tiny room at top
3) breadth of 2 1/2 feet, rear wall 15 ft thick
4) built about AD 700
k) Twin pyramid complex N
1) built in early 700's
a> last ruler of Tikal
b> Stela 16 and Altar 5
1> date of 9.14.0.0.0 (AD 711)
2) monuments date to ca. AD 711
l) Twin pyramid complex Q
1) built by Chitam to commemorate katun ending
2) Stela 22 and Altar 10
a> dated to 9.17.0.0.0 (AD 771)
b> priest's face is mutilated
3) raised platform covering over 5 acres
m) North Terrace stairway
1) 230 feet long
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