Naranjo (Sa'al) Pyramids
Naranjo Hill · Sa'al · Hill of the Red Monkey
Maya Classic (Late Classic apogee)·Maya (Sa'al kingdom)·🇬🇹 Petén, Naranjo-Sa'al, Guatemala
About
About Naranjo (Sa'al) Pyramids
Major Classic Maya city Naranjo-Sa'al on hilltop above Holmul River, capital of Sa'al kingdom (500 BCE–950 CE). Triadic Acropolis (Structure C-1 32 m pyramid) with twin masks, Central Acropolis palaces and ballcourts, hieroglyphic stairways recording dynastic war with Tikal and Calakmul. Maler photographed 1905, Morley visited 1909, Graham mapped 1975–76, Fialko excavated IDAEH. La Amargura suburb has 22 m pyramid. War chronicle of Lady Six Sky (Waxaklajun Ubah K'awil) famous.
Why it mattersSecond largest Petén Classic city after Tikal; Lady Six Sky dynasty documents geopolitics; triadic architecture classic.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Extent of Preclassic settlement under Classic core
- 02Location of tomb of Lady Six Sky
Theories
- 01Hegemony shifting between Tikal and Calakmul proxies
- 02Triadic symbolism — sun mountain
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. 500 BCE – 950 CE (Preclassic to Late Classic, apogee 682–810 CE)
- Period
- Maya Classic (Late Classic apogee)
- Culture
- Maya (Sa'al kingdom)
- Builders
- Maya Sa'al dynasty
- Purpose
- Triadic pyramid-temple and palace-capital centre
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 500 BCE – 950 CE (Preclassic to Late Classic, apogee 682–810 CE)
Initial construction
c. 1455 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
17.1333° N · 89.2667° W · 250 m · 3 mapped features
Structure C-1 Triadic Pyramid
pyramid32 m triadic Acropolis east
17.1335° N · 89.2665° WHieroglyphic Stairway East
stairwayDynastic stairway with 33 steps
17.1332° N · 89.2667° WCentral Acropolis Palace B-18
palaceRoyal palace vaulted complex
17.1330° N · 89.2670° W
Gallery