Q'umarkaj (Utatlán) Twin Pyramids
Q'umarkaj · Utatlán · Gumarcaaj · Santa Cruz del Quiché
Maya Postclassic Late·Maya K'iche' Quiché·🇬🇹 El Quiché, Santa Cruz del Quiché, Q'umarkaj hill, Guatemala
About
About Q'umarkaj (Utatlán) Twin Pyramids
Late Postclassic capital Q'umarkaj/Utatlán of K'iche' Maya empire (1400–1524 CE), atop 80 m hill with ravines, central plaza with Temple of Tohil (Jakawitz) 12 m pyramid-temple plus Temple of Awilix and Temple of Kukulkán, palace of 23 palaces, defensive walls and causeways. Described in Popol Vuh as city of Seven Caves. Built by Quiché confederation under Q'uq'umatz; conquered by Pedro de Alvarado 1524 after siege, then burned with Spanish founding Santa Cruz nearby. Excavated by Carmack & Wallace, Recinos.
Why it mattersOnly Maya capital described at length in Popol Vuh; Quiché empire peak just before Spanish conquest; Contact burning horizon.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Location of royal tombs under temples — robbed
- 02Seven Caves cult cave locations
Theories
- 01Quiché confederation as Late Postclassic 'empire' model
- 02Hilltop defensive urbanism peak
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. 1400–1524 CE (Late Postclassic, Quiché empire)
- Period
- Maya Postclassic Late
- Culture
- Maya K'iche' Quiché
- Builders
- K'iche' lords Q'uq'umatz, K'iq'ab
- Purpose
- Hilltop twin-pyramid capital described in Popol Vuh
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1400–1524 CE (Late Postclassic, Quiché empire)
Initial construction
c. 1647 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
15.0225° N · 91.1725° W · 2190 m · 3 mapped features
Temple of Tohil (Jakawitz) pyramid
pyramid12 m main pyramid temple of Tohil
15.0226° N · 91.1726° WTemple of Awilix west pyramid
pyramid10 m west pyramid temple
15.0224° N · 91.1727° WPalace of 23 palaces
palaceLong palace range north of plaza
15.0227° N · 91.1724° W
Gallery