Yaxhá Pyramids
Yaxhá Archaeological Site · Yaxha
Preclassic 1000 BCE – Late Classic 900 CE; peak 600–900 CE·Maya (Yaxhá kingdom)·🇬🇹 Petén, Yaxhá–Nakum–Naranjo National Park, Guatemala
About
About Yaxhá Pyramids
Major Late Classic lakeside Maya city 237 structures and 40 stelae on Yaxhá Lake isthmus: Twin North Acropolis, East Acropolis triadic Temple 216 (26 m high, painted red, largest in Yaxhá, second highest climb), Maler Group pyramids and causeways linking 9 plazas. Seaport prosperity controlled lacustrine trade; well-preserved topographic dominance. Excavated by IDAEH and German Yaxhá Project. Sunset views over lake iconic.
Why it mattersImportant for Triassic triadic pyramid evolution and lacustrine Maya urbanism.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Causeway astronomy linking lake horizon
Theories
- 01Lacustrine trade hub for cacao and obsidian; Twin Pyramid complexes align to katun endings
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Temple 216 c. 600 CE reconstruction on 300 BCE platform
- Period
- Preclassic 1000 BCE – Late Classic 900 CE; peak 600–900 CE
- Culture
- Maya (Yaxhá kingdom)
- Purpose
- Urban ceremonial pyramids and dynastic centre competing with Naranjo and Tikal
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
Temple 216 c. 600 CE reconstruction on 300 BCE platform
Initial construction
c. 1180 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
17.0775° N · 89.4025° W · 250 m · 3 mapped features
Temple 216 (East Acropolis) 26 m
pyramidTriadic pyramid – tallest Yaxha, lake panorama
17.0780° N · 89.4020° WNorth Acropolis plaza pyramids 218-219
pyramidTwin pyramids north precinct
17.0785° N · 89.4035° WBallcourt linking causeway
ballcourtCauseway ballcourt between groups
17.0772° N · 89.4030° W
Gallery