There were various noteworthy architectural complexes in the Tilak city. Ceremonies of dancing and banquets were also part of the social life at Tikal. The ballgame was the favorite game of the nobility, although everyone played it. Religious ceremonies and festivals were common feature of the social life at Tikal city.Īdditionally, they played a variety of games, most popular of which was the ballgame. Inhabitants of the Tikal city had a vibrant social life which was largely due to the importance of religion. Pyramids were also often covered with stucco. In the construction of pyramids, mica was imported from Brazil some 2,000 miles away. Houses of the nobility were made of stone and other sturdier materials. The houses of the commoners were made of mud walls with tree branches and leaves and other such materials acting as roofs. Building Materialsĭifferent kinds of materials were used for the construction of different kinds of buildings in Tikal city. Trees were grown around the reservoirs to anchor the soil. Even the archaeologist during the 20th century working on the site used one of these reservoirs in refurbished form for their own use. These reservoirs were a very efficient and reliable source of water. Water collected from rainwater was stored in 10 large water reservoirs. Tikal city had a sophisticated system of water preservation and management because it did not have direct access to any water source. Rulers of Ancient Mayan City Tikal List Water Management System Crimes like murder, arson, and blasphemy were punishable by death. Priests were also powerful figures since religion was supremely important and provided legitimacy to the rulers. However, there were also powerful councils consisting of the nobility who ran the government and made laws. The ruler of the city was considered the supreme authority and thought to have been descended from gods. The Tikal dynasty was founded in 1st century AD with Yax Ehb’ Xook being the first ruler. In addition to impressive temple- pyramids, the city had two causeways, ten reservoirs of water, a market complex, palaces, and a triple ballcourt. This layout remained the same through the early and middle classic periods and was only altered in the 8th century AD when the east-west axis was followed in the construction of Temples I and II. The layout of Tikal city followed a north-south axis when the Great Plaza and North Acropolis were built in around 250BC. The North Acropolis viewed from the Great Plaza Religious themes were quite similar to earlier and later Mesoamerican cultures. The population, just like other major cities, was divided into the ruling class and the commoners, with the former enjoying considerably more privileges. The population peaked during the late classic period from 700AD to 830AD, after which it declined sharply. The population of Tikal city during different eras varied from 10,000 to as much as 90,000 which can be considered the population of the city at its peak. The endemic warfare in the region coupled with overpopulation and environmental changes brought about the downfall of Tikal around 900AD. However, during the 6th century AD, it entered in a long rivalry for dominance with Calakmul city and both cities formed a network of hostile alliances and fought frequent wars.ĭuring the 6th century, it lost a war against Calakmul and its power considerably declined. In the classic era Tikal city was undoubtedly the most powerful urban center in the region and became the capital of the Mayan Civilization. Tikal city became a site of agriculture as early as 1000BC and there was activity in the late pre-classic period. During the classic period, it became the largest urban center in the region. It also benefited from the collapse of some cities during the late pre-classic period, notably El Mirandor. By the early classic period, it had become a fairly important city that was competing for power with the most powerful cities. In the 3rd century BC, Tikal dynasty was founded by Yax-Moch-Xoc, the first king of the dynasty. It had become an urban center by around 400BC but there were other bigger cities around, including El Mirandor and Nakbe. The architecture of the city’s ruins, as it is preserved at the Tikal National Park today, is extensive. The grand architecture found in the mayan ruins dates back to 4th century BC, but the city assumed its actual importance during the Mayan classic period. While this is not the actual name and it was only given to the site of the ruins once they were discovered, the site nonetheless marks one of the capitals of the Mayan Kingdom at its peak. Tikal city is the site of the one of the largest urban centers from the classic period of Mayan Civilization.
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