Terrace North Acropolis, Tikal

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.