Tikal — Temple I (Gran Jaguar) Pyramid
Maya Late Classic, c.730–734 CE, reign Hasaw Chan K'awil·Maya (Classic Lowland)·🇬🇹 Petén Department, Tikal National Park, Guatemala
About
About Tikal — Temple I (Gran Jaguar) Pyramid
Temple I — Gran Jaguar — pyramid over tomb of Jasaw Chan K'awiil I (Hasaw Chan K'awil, r.682–734 CE), north of Great Plaza, 47 m high. Step pyramid with nine terraces, single stair on east, roof comb 12 m high. University of Pennsylvania (Coe 1960s) excavated intact tomb with jade, shell and inscribed altar. UNESCO Tikal National Park 64 (natural+cultural).
Why it mattersEpitome of Late Classic Tikal revival after Calakmul war; dynastic tomb typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Hasaw's wooden tomb beams dendrochronology
Theories
- 01Tikal Resurgent — architecture as war propaganda
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.732 CE, post 695 CE victory
- Period
- Maya Late Classic, c.730–734 CE, reign Hasaw Chan K'awil
- Culture
- Maya (Classic Lowland)
- Builders
- Maya (Tikal dynasty, architects of Hasaw)
- Purpose
- Funerary pyramid — royal tomb and temple of Hasaw Chan K'awil I, victor over Calakmul
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.732 CE, post 695 CE victory
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
17.2219° N · 89.6236° W · 270 m · 2 mapped features
Temple I summit shrine and roof comb
templeThree-room vaulted shrine atop pyramid with 12 m high roof comb with Hasaw portrait
17.2220° N · 89.6235° WBurial 116 — tomb of Hasaw Chan K'awil under stair
tombVaulted tomb chamber under pyramid stair with jade mosaic mask and 180 offering vessels
17.2219° N · 89.6237° W