El Mirador — Tigre Pyramid (Structure 4D3-1)
Maya Late Preclassic, c.300 BCE–150 CE (peak 100 BCE)·Maya (Preclassic Mirador)·🇬🇹 Petén Department, Mirador Basin, Guatemala
About
About El Mirador — Tigre Pyramid (Structure 4D3-1)
Tigre Pyramid at El Mirador (c.300 BCE–150 CE, Middle Preclassic to Late Preclassic colossus) — 55 m high, base 145 × 145 m, 18 m high temple atop, part of Tigre complex south of La Danta. Hansen 1978-on; 4D3-1 is contemporary with La Danta (72 m) and shows triadic arrangement. Stucco jaguar masks 3 m high on stair.
Why it mattersSecond-largest Preclassic pyramid after La Danta; proof of early Maya superstate before Tikal.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01El Mirador collapse c.150 CE — drought vs war
Theories
- 01Tigre as prototype for Tikal triadic pyramids
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.200 BCE core
- Period
- Maya Late Preclassic, c.300 BCE–150 CE (peak 100 BCE)
- Culture
- Maya (Preclassic Mirador)
- Builders
- Maya (Mirador kingdom)
- Purpose
- Massive triadic pyramid — early lowland state monument, possibly royal tomb
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.200 BCE core
Initial construction / foundation
c.800 CE
Major refurbishment / enlargement phase
c.1500 CE
Abandonment or conversion
1890–1930
Modern rediscovery and first scientific survey
On the ground
Structures & features
17.7548° N · 89.9200° W · 240 m · 2 mapped features
Tigre summit temple and 55-m stair
templeLong central stair leading to triadic summit temple with three chambers
17.7549° N · 89.9199° WJaguar mask panels flanking stair (3 m high)
maskPreclassic stucco jaguar deity masks on second terrace risers
17.7547° N · 89.9201° W