page_title: North Acropolis, Tikal
section_title: Structures
hierarchical_section_title: North Acropolis, Tikal / Structures
caption_attribution_description: Image from Guatemala in 1980; North Acropolis in Tikal from the summit of Temple I. Temple 32 (Structure 5D-32) dominates the foreground, with the remains of Temple 33 (Structure 5D-33) to the left. Behind this, in the centre of the photo, is Temple 26 (Structure 5D-26). At back right, the tallest structure is Temple 22 (Structure 5D-22), Temple 23 (Structure 5D-23) is the tall temple to its left (facing right) and between the two and behind Temple 26 from this angle is the squat Temple 20 (Structure 5D-20).
context_page_description: The North Acropolis of the ancient Maya city of Tikal in Guatemala is an architectural complex that served as a royal necropolis and was a centre for funerary activity for over 1300 years. The acropolis is located near the centre of the city and is one of the most studied of Maya architectural complexes. Excavations were carried out from 1957 to 1969 by the University of Pennsylvania, directed by Edwin M. Shook and William Coe.
  The first traces of human activity at the site date to approximately 800 BC, with the first structures being built about 350 BC. Around 250 AD the complex underwent a major redevelopment with the construction of a massive basal platform that supported a cluster of temples; this was followed around AD 450 by the addition of a row of four pyramids on a terrace to the south of the main platform.
  A number of royal tombs have been excavated that have been identified with named kings, including the tombs of Yax Nuun Ayiin I, Siyaj Chan K'awiil II, Wak Chan K'awiil and "Animal Skull". An early tomb in the North Acropolis has been tentatively identified as that of the dynastic founder Yax Ehb' Xook.
context_section_description: The North Acropolis closes off the Great Plaza on the north side. The basal platform of the North Acropolis covers an area of just under 1 hectare (2.5 acres); measuring approximately 100 by 80 metres (330 by 260 ft). It stands 9 metres (30 ft) above its bedrock foundation and 12 metres (39 ft) above the Great Plaza, and is accessed by a number of stairways on its south side. During the Preclassic period, the facades of many of the temples were decorated with brightly coloured stucco ornamentation, including giant masks flanking some of the access stairways. By the Early Classic, eight temple-pyramids stood upon the platform, each with an access stairway flanked by masks, a small summit shrine and an elaborate roof comb.
caption: View across the North Acropolis. At back: Temples 23, 20 and 22. Temple 26 is in the centre; Temple 32 dominates the foreground, with Temple 33 to its left.
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