Tikal Temple III (Temple of the Jaguar Priest)
Templo III, Tikal · Temple of the Jaguar Priest
Late Classic Terminal Classic transition c. 810–820 CE·Maya (Tikal late)·🇬🇹 Petén, Tikal, Guatemala
About
About Tikal Temple III (Temple of the Jaguar Priest)
55 m high pyramid west of Tozzer Causeway, last great temple built at Tikal for Dark Sun / Chitam late 8th c: thickest roof comb remaining, steep 55° stair and jaguar-pelt sculpture of priest at summit temple. Unrestored lower terraces covered by jungle; perhaps tomb of Dark Sun. High-perched panoramic views illustrate Tikal's late florescence before collapse.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Which ruler – Dark Sun identification speculative
Theories
- 01Last monumental assertion before 869 abandonment; demonstrates continuing elite cohesion despite southern lowland collapse onset
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. 810 CE (Dark Sun / ruler 28 Chitam)
- Period
- Late Classic Terminal Classic transition c. 810–820 CE
- Culture
- Maya (Tikal late)
- Purpose
- Funerary temple for Dark Sun late ruler
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 810 CE (Dark Sun / ruler 28 Chitam)
Initial construction
c. 1690 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
17.2221° N · 89.6261° W · 255 m · 3 mapped features
Summit shrine with jaguar priest lintel
lintelWooden lintel carving of priest in jaguar skin
17.2221° N · 89.6261° WSteep west stair
staircase69-step central stair 55°
17.2219° N · 89.6259° WRoof comb east face
roof combIntact ornamented comb
17.2221° N · 89.6260° W
Gallery