Tikal Temple I (Temple of the Great Jaguar)
Templo I, Tikal · Jaguar Temple · Tikal Temple I
Late Classic Maya (700–734 CE)·Maya (Tikal Mutul dynasty)·🇬🇹 Petén Department, Tikal National Park, Guatemala
About
About Tikal Temple I (Temple of the Great Jaguar)
Classic Maya superstructure 55 m high (45 m pyramid + 12 m temple and 12 m roof comb) on Great Plaza east, funerary pyramid of Jasaw Chan K'awiil I (695–734), entombed vault 6 m under with jade mosaic jaguar pelt. Western 5-step pyramid with single stair, temple atop with 3 rooms and decorated lintels. Nine levels symbolize Xibalba. Lind's signature silhouette and Tikal's icon.
Why it mattersType-site for Classic Lowland Maya Tikal-Teotihuacan interaction; Great Jaguar iconography.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Tomb sealing technique and jade quantity symbol
Theories
- 01Roof comb as billboard for stela cult; eastern pyramid = funerary mountain Witz concept
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. 695–734 CE (Jasaw Chan K'awiil I reign)
- Period
- Late Classic Maya (700–734 CE)
- Culture
- Maya (Tikal Mutul dynasty)
- Purpose
- Royal funerary pyramid-temple for Jasaw Chan K'awiil I
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 695–734 CE (Jasaw Chan K'awiil I reign)
Initial construction
c. 1545 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
17.2219° N · 89.6228° W · 250 m · 3 mapped features
Temple shrine atop (3 rooms)
templeSanctuary with roof comb slit
17.2219° N · 89.6228° WTomb of Jasaw Chan K'awiil I (Burial 116)
tombVaulted tomb 6 m under pyramid with 90 vessels
17.2219° N · 89.6227° WGreat Plaza stela altar forecourt
stelaStelae 29-30 with altars facing temple
17.2217° N · 89.6230° W
Gallery