Wakna (Güiro)
Waknáo · Sitio Wakna-Güiro
Middle to Late Preclassic Mirador 600 BCE–150 CE·Maya (Mirador Basin)·🇬🇹 Petén, Carmelita, Guatemala
About
About Wakna (Güiro)
Formerly Güiro, renamed Wakna: massive Triadic Acropolis (25 m pyramid on 70 m platform) with three temples and deep aguada (reservoir) 80 m diameter excavated into bedrock. Mapped 2005 by Hansen FARES; ceramics show Middle Preclassic Chicanel transition. Perched on basin southern escarpment overseeing Petén plain route.
Why it mattersSouthern Mirador Basin gate controlling water and escarpment passage, linking basin to southern lowland route to Tikal.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01How aguada maintained water through dry season for 5000 residents
- 02Whether Wakna was first Mirador city to collapse c.150 CE
Theories
- 01Water-temple city managing basin-edge hydrology
- 02Defensive outpost overlooking southern bajo invasion route
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.600 BCE–150 CE (Late Preclassic Mirador)
- Period
- Middle to Late Preclassic Mirador 600 BCE–150 CE
- Culture
- Maya (Mirador Basin)
- Builders
- Maya
- Purpose
- Triadic acropolis city on southern basin ridge with water reservoir (aguada) and defensive bajo view
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.600 BCE–150 CE (Late Preclassic Mirador)
Initial construction
150 CE
Major occupation / refurbishment
On the ground
Structures & features
17.5280° N · 89.9670° W · 310 m · 2 mapped features
Wakna Triadic Acropolis
pyramid70 m platform with 25 m central pyramid and two 12 m side temples
17.5290° N · 89.9660° WWakna aguada reservoir
reservoir80 m diameter 6 m deep plaster-sealed water reservoir below acropolis
17.5270° N · 89.9680° W