Waka
Early Classic to Late Classic (500 – 800 CE)·Maya (Wak Kab'nal)·🇬🇹 Petén, Guatemala
About
About Waka
Waka in Petén, Guatemala is a Early Classic to Late Classic (500 – 800 CE) ancient city attributed to Maya (Wak Kab'nal) culture. El Perú-Waka': 2004 Tomb of Lady K'abel (Holy Snake Lord wife) with jade, 2013 fire shrine with volcanic offering. Riverine trade hub for cacao and shell. Systematic excavation and published survey document stratified deposits, architectural phasing and georeferenced plans. Built c.500 CE, royal burial surge 600–750 CE; purpose: San Juan River port capital controlling trade and royal necropolis. Significance includes multi-phase occupation and landscape setting at 180 m elevation.
Why it mattersEl Perú-Waka': 2004 Tomb of Lady K'abel (Holy Snake Lord wife) with jade, 2013 fire shrine with volcanic offering. Riverine trade hub for cacao and shell.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing at Waka
- 02Function and labor organization for ancient-city – ritual vs residential debate
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre model for Maya (Wak Kab'nal)
- 02Territorial marker / elite residence hypothesis
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 CE, royal burial surge 600–750 CE
- Period
- Early Classic to Late Classic (500 – 800 CE)
- Culture
- Maya (Wak Kab'nal)
- Builders
- Maya
- Purpose
- San Juan River port capital controlling trade and royal necropolis
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.500 CE, royal burial surge 600–750 CE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.1500–1800 CE
Major refurbishment / second occupation phase
On the ground
Structures & features
17.2650° N · 90.3590° W · 180 m · 3 mapped features
Waka — Principal Monument
pyramidPrincipal Monument at Waka – pyramid (Early Classic to Late Classic (500 – 800 CE)) – El Perú-Waka': 2004 Tomb of Lady K'abel (Holy Snake Lord wif
17.2660° N · 90.3580° WWaka — Ancillary Complex
palaceAncillary Complex at Waka – palace (Early Classic to Late Classic (500 – 800 CE)) – El Perú-Waka': 2004 Tomb of Lady K'abel (Holy Snake Lord wif
17.2638° N · 90.3598° WWaka — Outlier Feature
causewayOutlier Feature at Waka – causeway (Early Classic to Late Classic (500 – 800 CE)) – El Perú-Waka': 2004 Tomb of Lady K'abel (Holy Snake Lord wif
17.2670° N · 90.3575° W