Nakbe Structure 1
Nakbe Pyramid Structure 1 · Nakbe Mirador Basin Structure 1
Early to Middle Preclassic 1400–400 BCE (Mamom), latest major 300 BCE·Maya (Mirador Basin early Preclassic)·🇬🇹 Petén, Carmelita, Guatemala
About
About Nakbe Structure 1
Centerpiece of Nakbe East Group: Structure 1 is 45 m high Triadic pyramid dating to 1000 BCE early Mamom, with massive stucco masks 5 m wide on first tier. Nakbe is the earliest known lowland Maya monumental center (1400 BCE) predating El Mirador by 800 years. Sacbe links Structure 1 to Nakbe West Group. FARES excavations revealed codex-style ceramics.
Why it mattersEarliest lowland Maya pyramid (1200 BCE) demonstrating Preclassic monumental origins 1000 years before Tikal.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01How Nakbe builders achieved 45 m height with Preclassic technology
- 02Why stucco masks at Nakbe are larger than later Classic masks
Theories
- 01Cradle of Triadic ideology transferred later to El Mirador-Tikal
- 02Nakbe as origin of E-Group astronomy
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.1200–400 BCE (Early to Middle Preclassic; final 300 BCE)
- Period
- Early to Middle Preclassic 1400–400 BCE (Mamom), latest major 300 BCE
- Culture
- Maya (Mirador Basin early Preclassic)
- Builders
- Maya
- Purpose
- 45 m Triadic pyramid (Structure 1) earliest monumental architecture in lowland Maya, with stucco masks and E-Group
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.1200–400 BCE (Early to Middle Preclassic; final 300 BCE)
Initial construction
400 BCE (Mamom), latest major 300 BCE
Major occupation / refurbishment
On the ground
Structures & features
17.6930° N · 89.8640° W · 295 m · 2 mapped features
Structure 1 Triadic pyramid
pyramid45 m pyramid with 5 m stucco masks and upper temples
17.6940° N · 89.8630° WNakbe E-Group plaza
platform300 m E-Group west of Structure 1 aligning equinox
17.6920° N · 89.8650° W
Gallery