spanish lost world largest ceremonial complex dating period ancient maya city northern guatemala complex organised large astronomical complex consisting pyramid aligned platform east supported temples complex rebuilt times course history architectural style influenced great metropolis valley mexico including use form early classic period twin city served royal complex given archaeologists large plaza centred lost world pyramid ceremonial platform west divided clearly areas referred area lost world pyramid closed south structures range adjoining structures divide plaza seven temples east north plaza principally structures smaller structures low plaza lies west lost world pyramid centred structure low platform low plaza closed north second largest structure complex complex surface area approximately square metres archaeologists major discoveries 1970s investigated partially restored principal structures complex architectural complex built period abandoned history underwent phases construction date classic construction phase produced new version lost world pyramid evidence recovered dates earliest years occupation middle prior remains represent rubbish structures complex began form end structures started added series artificially surfaces platforms gradually complexity height structures increased lost world pyramid form oldest architectural complex late causeway built unite causeway runoff canal fed end late temples built early classic beginning early classic plaza expanded westwards order lost world pyramid centre complex western extreme construction phase led achieving final surface area square metres structures times match architectural styles developing city small platform added early classic surface platform possesses series holes supported banners platform covered large pit contained bodies seventeen victims including men women children possibly sacrificed ceremony platform 4th century version built north second half 4th century tombs built offerings tombs included vessels representing high artistic technical quality offerings tombs identify deceased members elite members line ruling dynasty lost power political late 4th century included kings entry establishment new political order city focus royal rites shifted 4th century 6th century use architecture notable 5th century form applied structures western limit complex south 6th century 7th century fifth version built new summit shrine late classic 7th century significant changes including new version temple faced away version sealed version built making temple highest structures new version created new axis complex breaking primary axis associated ancient group complex relationship old solar cult marking major change ceremonial use complex time twin pyramid complex came use demonstrating major internal reorganisation city late classic access complex gradually restricted closing access points new structures included use causeway linked complex new palace complex built northern section developing 7th 8th centuries marked important change use dedicated purely ritual activities construction palace indicates permanent complex elite group apparently involved way administration city continued serve important burial site 8th 9th centuries final version received elite status possibly members royal family judge extremely high quality associated offerings dated second half 8th century reign terminal classic went general decline parts city apparently abandoned continued centre vigorous ceremonial activity evidence continued activity complex includes collections artefacts significant construction activity main late classic structures fitted new benches change access routes complex took place activity concentrated northern portion closest water supply minor changes time greatest residential activity took place vaulted palace immediately east temple structures activity included complex construction projects indicates elite residence immediately prior complete abandonment city construction activity form structural strengthening took place structures northern sector including structures ritual activity continued half early classic placed temple large population remained residence north sector evidenced quantity differing gender age interred inside collapsed buildings casual graves usually accompanied offerings generally bone artefacts dense occupation north sector included elite activity continued years abandonment rest linked nearby water supply continued ritual activity temple iii northern portion continued use rest complex partially abandoned occupation came end traces activity recovered limited finds structure north modern history carried investigations lost world pyramid prior work undertaken included test trenches summit west south sides tunnels excavated metres pyramid interior recovered surprisingly early fragments led complex focus later investigations wide ranging programme investigations instigated newly formed september operation carried clearing forest lost world pyramid late year main phase investigations ran test pitting surveys continued lost world pyramid excavated restored soon work started adverse weather conditions resulted severe damage structures including collapse east face lost world pyramid northeast corner temple north wall structure structures archaeologist divided complex clearly areas referred area lost world pyramid closed south structures range adjoining structures divide plaza seven temples east north plaza principally structures smaller structures low plaza lies west lost world pyramid centred structure low platform low plaza closed north second largest structure complex recently defined complex area divided north east defined relationship lost world pyramid south structures south lost world pyramid original core astronomical complex east lost world pyramid observation point original temples markers plot sunrise course history underwent seven distinct construction phases earliest dating end period lost world pyramid structure known great pyramid dates late structure focus complex currently stands approximately metres high maximum width base metres lost world pyramid massive construction projects undertaken pyramid accessed west flanked giant masks final version structure east west sides extended additional north south sides climbing far eighth levels structure massive buildings late construction masonry blocks measured metres long pyramid periodically rebuilt history common rest complex version visible fifth version dating built tallest structure entire city stepped levels pyramid vertical panels style early appearance second half 3rd century built fifth construction phase pyramid masks adorned sides building eroded possible determine anthropomorphic traces painted final version pyramid reveal point exterior structure painted blue red versions lost world pyramid larger previous version built directly centred preceding version necessity maintaining plaza area pyramid led destruction previous version east face time new version superimposed older version phase earliest version pyramid built end middle raised metre deep natural terrain earliest phase construction survived entirety believed possessed stepped levels sides measured metres north south stood metres high phase second version dates late time adult males interred offerings summit platform pyramid lacked associated offerings presence dental decoration suggests deceased members elite investigating archaeologists consider deceased offering construction newer version pyramid second version pyramid possessed stepped levels measured metres north south stood metres high phase version built formal layout version measured metres north south stood metres high construction version temple damaged underlying second version covered completely version radial pyramid stepped levels raised upper platform built stone blocks finished upper platform rounded corners lower levels pyramid sloping sided form fourth vertical sided form fifth level greater height supported weight giant masks flanking central ascend upper sixth level pyramid possessed auxiliary climbed lower levels flanking central ascended fifth level modified form enclosed giant masks auxiliary central upper platform metre high bench accessed steps east west sides version pyramid high quality construction complex architectural detail fine quality covering burial discovered interred upper level fourth version pyramid accompanied number offerings phase fourth version pyramid built larger scale built stood metres high measured metres represented greatest leap volume successive versions pyramid radial pyramid auxiliary temple stepped levels archaeologists determine exact number destruction wrought summit construction fifth final version possessed giant masks fifth stepped level method construction employed weight dispersed shorter sides stone blocks fourth version pyramid structurally weak required periodic reinforcement architects soon realised error architectural techniques construction fourth version fourth version remained use relatively short period time replaced fifth version phase fifth final version lost world pyramid built excavated found poorly preserved poor quality structural construction sides subsided number places final version pyramid levels stood metres high pyramid measured metres central axis narrowed metres measuring corner corner measurements massive construction project fifth version pyramid started levels ninth level added 4th century tenth level late 4th century early 6th century flanked large panels metre bench summit faced west breaking long tradition incorporated pyramid ancient group large slab slate measuring metres high metres wide metres thick found embedded bench highly eroded erected pyramid late classic large quantities early late classic fragments found pyramid demonstrating continued importance structure preserved limestone model architectural complex recovered upper east pyramid originally deposited represented number model match known architectural group east platform divides complex structures numbered north end joins south range earliest examples architecture platform began final form versions temples built basal platform 5th century platform huge structure northernmost structure adjoining version building built 4th century early version platform supporting building possessed single chamber building decorated elaborate decorated anthropomorphic figures central figure believed archaeologists represent deity structure north end east range structure rooms flanked structure north structure south earliest structures built east platform end late structure double platform provides access plaza seven temples structure possesses remains giant masks facade dated late classic period found building version building raised east platform end late period temple rooms arranged central chamber smallest particularly notable presence giant masks doorway example known late maya world masks placed inside building practice common late classic period analysis masks suggest early form spirit protector city closely associated warfare royal tomb installed structure transition late early classic periods structure known temple spanish largest temple complex new version temple superimposed preceding version 7th century new version faced away possessed single room faced adjacent plaza seven temples east version sealed new version built time highest structures version structure level platform access interrupted vaulted niche architectural style prevalent time base niche adorned sculpted facing forwards flanking profile structure structure possessing rooms temples built east platform end late period structure structure possessing rooms northern sector temple temple structure second largest building located north west plaza northwest lost world pyramid directly north platform pyramid projecting rises summit shrine possessed vaulted chambers roof ceilings roof collapsed chambers prior archaeological exploration ruined building currently stands metres high summit shrine roof intact taller investigated prior exploration summit shrine served jaguar remains prey shrine badly damaged multiple pits excavated interior chambers distinct construction phases evident exterior pyramid version pyramid built half 3rd century built forerunner style levels stood metres tall sides measured metres base featured vertical painted black flanked rose angle projected metres pyramid base construction phases took place early classic phases supported masonry superstructure phases similar consisting mainly increase size building phase basal surface area square metres base phase covered area square metres increased square metres fourth construction phase second phase construction took place 4th century local variation style included framed pyramid upper level extend faces structure stepped levels phase construction maintained previous versions variant stepped levels fourth version pyramid stepped levels fifth phase construction building took place involved construction new previous version older level stepped pyramid sides retained pyramid base measured metres widened covering pyramid heightened metres addition style levels resulted base height metres new summit shrine built possessing vaulted rooms elaborate roof construction phase took place time temple built major temples slightly earlier shrine final version access chamber metres wide pyramid served important function elite excavated pyramid males female accompanied extremely high quality offerings offerings include objects crafted shell mother pearl inscribed anthropomorphic imagery associated finds sufficient quality possible deceased members royal family dated reign ruled terminal classic minor changes temple chambers structural reinforcement temple poorly preserved inside temple rooms inscribed graffiti likely date time palace range palace complex laid form northern portion ranges east south west ranges connect corners form single extended palace central courtyard area square metres courtyard open north palace furnished important information regard occupation palace built late classic platform gradually developed construction palace buildings 7th 8th centuries structures housed multiple vaulted chambers structures decorated faced buildings opened interior courtyard year history complex palace group buildings entire complex serve uniquely ceremonial purpose structure east range palace complex incorporates south range west range structure closing addition benches construction new sections multiple completely abandoned soon continuation complex construction activity indicated elite residents inhabiting palace time structures structure western border complex modelled style 5th century structure western extreme 5th century built style structure low platform situated metres west lost world pyramid platform access sides sign having supported superstructure details sides platform suggest construction influenced platform dates beginning late classic structure south range building styled 5th century monuments broken half found inside temple east west axis running lost world pyramid monument sculpted faces deliberately broken ancient times moved inside temple order save shows half person identified ruler costume features columns king depicted governed 4th century king standing bound captive captive appears noble retains clothing celebrates event appears moved relation ceremony possibly moved temple king celebrate changing year maya cycle link placed directly important late 4th century elite tombs continued evidenced presence offerings burial elite burial interred coated chamber rear chamber tomb looted discovered archaeologists trench cutting bench floor shrine chamber burial chamber measured metres metres high chamber contained bones adult male aged years old bones disturbed likely laid north south orientation broken remains debris dated tomb late 8th century burial located chamber heavily looted extent possible determine scattered human remains people belonged burial bones belonged children young adult females fragments offerings identified burial interred central chamber looted discovered archaeologists prior collapse ceiling summit shrine pyramid protected section tomb remains adult male artificially deformed skull laid north south orientation head north offering included plate plate painted figure dancer vessel bearing images human figures jaguar burial immediately burial burial interred rear temple deceased young adult male aged years old artificially deformed skull buried near surface lying position remains oriented north south date accompanied offering burial interred immediately beneath burial temple chamber measured metres remains adolescent female lying head north lying layer mixed blue green accompanied rich offering offering included mother pearl jade bone shell shell crafted shell jade pectoral crafted form anthropomorphic face bowl vessel decorated human figures lengthy text black bowl plate decorated burial vaulted tomb constructed placed structure deceased interred east west axis running centre transition late early classic periods tomb elite status earliest royal burial offerings removed 6th century temple time offerings chamber shrine offerings included plates legs painted designs plates astronomical significance burial dates inserted upper level version lost world pyramid metres summit metres including summit bench laid large rock lying face downwards deceased young adult male aged years aligned north south skull south traces found bones body accompanied vessels blades flint bones worked bone artefacts burial offering location east west axis high status offerings associated open possibility deceased member elite interred burial stepped platform second version lost world pyramid prior fourth platform completed deceased adult male aged years old found lying extended southeast northwest orientation bones preserved certain degree skull badly fragmented evident artificial taken place upper teeth fitted decoration crescent shaped hollow held decoration deceased items shell jewellery burial interred time burial deceased adult male aged years old lying face northwest southeast orientation remains poorly preserved upper decorated deceased accompanied jewellery offerings burial interred low platform associated version lost world pyramid deposited near bedrock metres platform offerings remains young adult male years old laid right hand position east west orientation head lying west remains associated pieces worked stone traces red paint burial dated burial offering construction fourth version lost world pyramid buried depth metres associated offerings remains probably female lying face oriented north south head pointing northwards remains poorly preserved probably date early 1st century
Mundo Perdido, Tikal