Tikal Mundo Perdido Pyramid 5D-87 (Lost World)
Mundo Perdido Pyramid · Tikal Lost World Pyramid · Tikal 5D-87 · Great Pyramid of Mundo Perdido
Preclassic to Early Classic (Mundo Perdido phase)·Maya (Preclassic Tikal)·🇬🇹 Petén, Tikal — Mundo Perdido (Lost World) complex southwest group, Guatemala
About
About Tikal Mundo Perdido Pyramid 5D-87 (Lost World)
Earliest public architecture at Tikal — Mundo Perdido (Lost World) Pyramid 5D-87 is a 30 m high Late Preclassic pyramid 67×67 m base (100 BCE–250 CE) forming an E-Group astronomical complex (Structure 5D-86 temple opposite). Preclassic masks on pyramid flanks (like Uaxactun). It was rebuilt 5 times from 700 BCE to 300 CE, showing Tikal's origins before dynastic tombs under North Acropolis. Excavated by University of Pennsylvania Tikal Project (W.R. Coe, William Fash) and later Guatemalan Project (Juan Pedro Laporte). Unlike later Tikal temple-pyramids with tombs, 5D-87 is purely ceremonial platform.
Why it mattersEarliest monumental building at Tikal, 500 years before dynastic temples I–V; E-Group type links Tikal to Uaxactun Group E astronomical tradition.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Which early ruler commissioned the 30 m rebuild
- 02Function of masks — sun god
Theories
- 01Mundo Perdido is Tikal’s Preclassic community sun temple before dynastic focus shifted north
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. 700 BCE–250 CE (Middle Preclassic to Early Classic, rebuilt 5×)
- Period
- Preclassic to Early Classic (Mundo Perdido phase)
- Culture
- Maya (Preclassic Tikal)
- Builders
- Early Tikal chiefs
- Purpose
- Astronomical E-Group pyramid for equinox observation
- Abandoned
- c. 900 CE (with Tikal)
- Rediscovered
- 1958 (Coe Tikal Project)
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 700 BCE–250 CE (Middle Preclassic to Early Classic, rebuilt 5×)
Initial construction
c. 1049 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
17.2197° N · 89.6228° W · 240 m · 3 mapped features
Pyramid 5D-87 mass
pyramid30 m stepped pyramid 67 m base, 5 rebuild layers
17.2197° N · 89.6228° WE-Group temple 5D-86 opposite
templeLong platform temple for equinox sightline
17.2195° N · 89.6222° WPreclassic mask flank
maskStucco deity mask on pyramid stair
17.2197° N · 89.6226° W
Gallery