Structures North Acropolis, Tikal

view across north acropolis. @ back: temples 23, 20 , 22. temple 26 in centre; temple 32 dominates foreground, temple 33 left.

the north acropolis closes off great plaza on north side. basal platform of north acropolis covers area of under 1 hectare (2.5 acres); measuring approximately 100 80 metres (330 260 ft). stands 9 metres (30 ft) above bedrock foundation , 12 metres (39 ft) above great plaza, , accessed number of stairways on south side. during preclassic period, facades of many of temples decorated brightly coloured stucco ornamentation, including giant masks flanking of access stairways. classic, 8 temple-pyramids stood upon platform, each access stairway flanked masks, small summit shrine , elaborate roof comb.

basal platform

most of structures upon basal platform underwent 2 consecutive construction phases during classic, except temple 22 underwent 3 phases of construction. structures upon basal platform date classic period , laid out in symmetrical arrangement on course of 3 centuries. forms greatest concentration of pure classic architecture @ tikal, using construction methods distinct of major late classic temples around great plaza. classic construction involved complete finishing of basal platform distinct architectural unit before additional structures built upon it.

temple 20 (structure 5d-20) located upon northwest corner of basal platform , looks outwards north. estimated date approximately ad 550.

temple 21 (structure 5d-21) forms pair temple 20; located upon northeast corner of basal platform , looks outwards north; thought date around ad 550.

temple 22 (structure 5d-22) south-facing building located centrally on north side of basal platform. temple 22 underwent 3 principal phases of construction. earliest version of structure built around ad 250; second version of temple built on around ad 350; version decorated giant stucco masks. final version of temple dates 5th century ad. temple 22 has been extensively investigated archaeologists portions of 5th-century architecture being stripped away expose earlier versions. tomb in temple 22 looted @ point during postclassic period.

temple 22

temple 23 (structure 5d-23) has been partially restored , dates middle of 3rd century ad. situated on centre of west side of basal platform, facing east.

temple 24 (structure 5d-24) dates around ad 250. forms pair temple 23, being located on east side of basal platform, facing west. temple 24 has not been explored archaeologists.

temple 25 (structure 5d-25) located on southwest corner of basal platform; first built around ad 250 , underwent second classic construction phase covered earlier version.

temple 26 (structure 5d-26) central building in north acropolis, located centrally on south side of basal platform overlooking terrace; earliest version of structure dates approximately ad 250. temple 26 has been excavated , restored. tomb in structure looted @ time during postclassic period. northern portion of structure stood on late preclassic tomb (burial 85) dated around ad 100, has been tentatively identified of dynastic founder yax ehb xook.

temple 27 (structure 5d-27) forms pair temple 25. situated on southeast corner of basal platform. archaeologists presume structure underwent same 2 classic construction phases twin. built around ad 250.

building 28 (structure 5d-28) unusual building @ top of access stairway on east side of basal platform. appears have been guardroom controlling access east terrace. chamber contained curtained doorways , benches against walls. width of building blocked access stairway; forced visitors pass through chamber, presence scrutinised , passage beyond blocked if necessary. route may have become important when temple 33 built, blocking main access stairway great plaza. structure 5d-28 built late in classic period (around 6th century).

terrace

giant mask earliest version of temple 33 (sub-3). example adorned pyramid base west of stairway.

a trio of small classic temples (temples 29 31) stand upon common platform @ east end of terrace, facing west. platform purposely built support 3 temples built more-or-less simultaneously. neither platform nor temples have been investigated; therefore possible version of central temple (temple 30) built first, decommissioned platform being built cover version, followed construction of new version plus 2 additional flanking temples.

temple 29 (structure 5d-29) located @ east end of terrace of north acropolis, facing west. stela 40 excavated @ base in 1996. temple 29 1 of trio of similar structures, temples 30 , 31. temple 29 has not been excavated; corbel vaulting , roof has collapsed fill 3 chambers of superstructure rubble. of trio of temples, temple 29 1 display traces of red paint. basal platform of temple stands 3.5 metres (11 ft) high , superstructure walls measure 2.3 metres (7.5 ft) high. building believed date classic period (c. ad 250–600).

temple 30 (structure 5d-30) @ east end of terrace of north acropolis; 1 of trio of similar structures. roof , vaulting has collapsed, filling 3 summit chambers rubble. temple 30 estimated date classic (c. ad 250–600), based upon stylistic comparison other structures @ tikal. other temples of trio, basal platform of temple stands 3.5 metres (11 ft) high , superstructure walls measure 2.3 metres (7.5 ft) high.

temple 31 (structure 5d-31) 1 of trio of similar structures @ east end of terrace, temples 29 , 30. other 2 temples of trio, summit superstructure had 3 chambers; these have been buried under rubble resulting collapse of vaulting , roof. temple believed date classic (c. ad 250–600). height of temple identical of other temples in trio, basal platform measuring 3.5 metres (11 ft) high , superstructure walls standing 2.3 metres (7.5 ft) high.

temple 32 (structure 5d-32) stands east of temple 33. partially investigated in mid-1960s , dates first half of 7th century ad. temple shrine contained 3 large chambers, looted after abandonment of city in 10th century. archaeologists discovered tomb cut bedrock under pyramid, contained royal burial (burial 195). pyramid built on tomb after king s burial , consisted of single construction phase.

temple 33 (structure 5d-33) 33-metre-high (108 ft) funerary pyramid of 5th-century king siyaj chan k awiil ii. centrally situated between temples 32 , 34, in front row of structures facing onto great plaza; 1 of thoroughly explored temples in entire maya area. on course of 2 centuries temple underwent 3 construction phases; final phase of development took place during tikal hiatus, lasted ad 562 692. last construction phase of temple 33 served prototype temple on great plaza. final version of temple 33 controversially dismantled archaeologists in 1965 in order arrive @ earlier stages of construction.

temple 34

temple 34 (structure 5d-34) first pyramid built along front terrace of north acropolis; dates classic period. pyramid built siyaj chan k awiil ii on tomb of father, yax nuun ayiin i. topped 3 chambered shrine rooms situated 1 behind other. archaeologists cut trench across temple 34 in 1959 , discovered tomb cut bedrock underneath, 2 previous versions of temple built on it. stela 26 stood @ foot of temple broken, @ beginning of late classic period, , dragged temple steps places under masonry altar within summit shrine. shrine looted in postclassic period , altar broken @ time. ceremonial fires burning of inanimate sacrifices lit directly above yax nuun ayiin s tomb late classic period , may indicative of continued ancestor worship centuries after king s death.

temple 35 (structure 5d-35) tall late classic temple backing against southwest corner of basal platform. westernmost of row of pyramids facing south onto great plaza; has not been explored archaeologists , considered 1 of 2 locations tomb of 7th-century king nuun ujol chaak.