Nakum Acropolis Pyramids
Nakum · Na-Kum · Temple V Nakum
Maya Classic to Postclassic·Maya Nakum polity·🇬🇹 Petén, Nakum on Holmul River south bank, Guatemala
About
About Nakum Acropolis Pyramids
Classic Maya river city Nakum on Holmul River south bank (250–1200 CE), bridging Holmul to Yaxhá corridor. Acropolis South with Building 99 15 m palace-pyramid and Structure X twin-pyramid complex; Northern Plaza triadic Group East 12 m, stela plaza with long occupation into Postclassic (1200 CE) — rare continuous sequence. Excavated by Perigny 1905–10, Tozzer, Sprajc, then Jagiellonian University (Zralka, Hermes) 2006– with IDAEH restoration. Canal system and reservoir west shows hydraulic planning.
Why it mattersOnly Petén city with unbroken Classic to Postclassic occupation with stelae to 1200 CE; hydraulic system links environment adaptation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Nakum survived collapse longer than Tikal
- 02Postclassic temple function after 1000 CE
Theories
- 01Riverine portage survival vs inland collapse
- 02Water-management resilience model
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. 250–1200 CE (Classic to Early Postclassic, apogee 550–800)
- Period
- Maya Classic to Postclassic
- Culture
- Maya Nakum polity
- Builders
- Maya Nakum kings
- Purpose
- Riverine acropolis-pyramid and hydraulic city
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 250–1200 CE (Classic to Early Postclassic, apogee 550–800)
Initial construction
c. 1432 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
17.1800° N · 89.3600° W · 180 m · 3 mapped features
Building 99 Acropolis Pyramid
pyramid15 m palace-pyramid south
17.1801° N · 89.3601° WStructure X Twin Pyramid
pyramidTwin pyramid complex east
17.1800° N · 89.3598° WNorthern Plaza triadic Group E
pyramid12 m triadic east temple
17.1803° N · 89.3603° W
Gallery