Naachtun — Pyramid La Perdida (Structure XII)
Maya Preclassic to Late Classic, c.150 BCE–900 CE·Maya (Mirador Basin)·🇬🇹 Petén Department, Mirador Basin, Naachtun, Guatemala
About
About Naachtun — Pyramid La Perdida (Structure XII)
Pyramid La Perdida (Lost Pyramid, Structure XII) at Naachtun (c.150 BCE–900 CE, massive 130-ha city between Tikal and Mirador). 16 m high truncated pyramid with 28 m base, Late Preclassic origin rebuilt Late Classic, with long causeway sacbe linking to Group A. M.-C. Arnauld & Chloé Andrieu CNRS/PACUNAM project 2010-on documented tomb with codex-style pottery.
Why it mattersLargest Naachtun outlier pyramid proving Preclassic origins predate Tikal.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Naachtun flip Tikal→Calakmul alliance recorded on stela 26
Theories
- 01Basin urban continuum — Mirador to Naachtun to Tikal lineage
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.100 BCE first, 750 CE final
- Period
- Maya Preclassic to Late Classic, c.150 BCE–900 CE
- Culture
- Maya (Mirador Basin)
- Builders
- Maya (Naachtun dynasts, allied with Tikal then Calakmul)
- Purpose
- Suburban pyramid — lineage shrine outside epicentre
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.100 BCE first, 750 CE final
Initial construction / foundation
c.800 CE
Major refurbishment / enlargement phase
c.1500 CE
Abandonment or conversion
1890–1930
Modern rediscovery and first scientific survey
On the ground
Structures & features
17.7940° N · 89.7360° W · 300 m · 2 mapped features
Pyramid XII temple and frieze remnant
templeUpper platform with eroded stucco frieze fragment at stair
17.7941° N · 89.7359° WCauseway (sacbe) to Group A epicentre
causeway1.2 km raised causeway linking pyramid suburbs to centre
17.7939° N · 89.7361° W