El Perú-Waka' Pyramids
Waka' · El Per-Waka · Guayacan · Soledad
Maya Classic·Maya Waka' kingdom (Calakmul ally)·🇬🇹 Petén, Laguna del Tigre, El Perú-Waka', Guatemala
About
About El Perú-Waka' Pyramids
Large Classic Maya city Waka' (El Perú) on escarpment above San Juan River (Classic 250–900 CE), kingdom of Wak, dominated by triadic main plaza with 18 m Structure M13-1 north pyramid with stucco mask, Mirador Group dwarfish pyramid, and recently located tomb of Lady K'abel (Queen K'abel, Stela 34, burial 61) with jade jewels and alabaster jar — hypothesized Kalakmul-allied queen. Site includes dense stela plaza and ballcourt. Excavated by Smyth, Freidel, Navarro project WASU 2003–.
Why it mattersLady K'abel tomb links Calakmul superpower to Petén periphery; stela density rival Tikal; escarpment port city model.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Whether Lady K'abel ruled jointly or as regent
- 02Unlocated royal tomb of K'inich Balam
Theories
- 01Calakmul hegemony via marriage alliance
- 02Escarpment defence vs riverine trade
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. 250–900 CE (Early to Late Classic, peak 500–800)
- Period
- Maya Classic
- Culture
- Maya Waka' kingdom (Calakmul ally)
- Builders
- Maya Waka' dynasty (Lady K'abel tomb)
- Purpose
- Pyramid-plaza capital with royal tombs and stela cult
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 250–900 CE (Early to Late Classic, peak 500–800)
Initial construction
c. 1692 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
17.2783° N · 90.3806° W · 280 m · 3 mapped features
Structure M13-1 North Pyramid
pyramid18 m pyramid with stucco mask
17.2785° N · 90.3807° WTomb of Lady K'abel (Burial 61)
tombStela 34 vaulted tomb under plaza
17.2782° N · 90.3805° WStela Plaza south pyramid
pyramidSouth pyramid with altar
17.2780° N · 90.3808° W
Gallery