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Archaeological Park of Kirigua
Isabar Provincial Park, Guatemala
The Archaeological Park of Quirigua is located in the province of Izabar in the northeast of Guatemala, about 160 km northeast of the capital of Guatemala. It is the pre-Mayan capital of the early classical period. The value of this site lies in its exquisite carving art, which is the best of the ancient period of Central America. The Archaeological Park and Mayan cultural site of Kirigua has many architectural masterpieces from the 8th century, as well as impressive carved stone columns and a calendar carved in stone. The site's value lies in its exquisite carvings, which provide a quintessential source for the study of Mayan civilization.
- Chinese name
- Archaeological Park of Kirigua
- Foreign name
- Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua
- location
- Isabar Province in northeastern Guatemala
catalogue
Heritage Name: Archaeological Park of Quirigua and Mayan cultural site
Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua
Selected in 1981
Selection basis: Cultural Heritage (ii)(iii)(iv)
Location: N15 16 14 W89 02 25
Heritage Number: 149
The Archaeological Park and Mayan cultural site of Chirigua is located in the province of Izabar in northeastern Guatemala, and this archaeological site is pre-classical
Mayan
The capital, about 160 kilometers northeast of Guatemala City. The capital of Quirigua has been inhabited since the 2nd century and has many architectural masterpieces from the 8th century, as well as carved stone columns and carved calendars, which provide a quintessential source for the study of Maya civilization.
From an aesthetic point of view, the value of this site lies in its exquisite sculpture art, which is considered to be the best in ancient Mesoamerica. There are 12 large sculptures and 13 monuments at the site. These monuments, carved directly out of sand and stone rather than metal instruments, are outstanding examples of Maya aesthetic concepts and artistic skills.
In 1981, according to the Cultural Heritage selection criteria C(ii)(iii)(iv), the Archaeological Park of Chirigua and the Mayan cultural site were designated
UNESCO World Heritage Committee
Approved for listing as a cultural heritage in the"
World Heritage List
". Report on Heritage designation: Report of the World Heritage Committee on its fifth session.
Evaluation by the World Heritage Committee
Chirigua has been inhabited since the 2nd century AD and became the capital of an autonomous and prosperous state during the reign of Kauak Skye (723-784). The ruins of Chirigua include some architectural masterpieces from the 8th century, as well as an impressive array of carved stone columns and calendars, which provide essential source material for the study of Maya civilization.
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The Archaeological park of Kirigua was the pre-Mayan capital of the early Classical period, and this fact is confirmed by two monumental stones from the 5th century AD. The Mayans were initially dominated by the neighboring state of Gupan, which was located in
Honduras
It is also one of the World Cultural Sites. In 737 AD, the Maya king killed the king of Gupan, and the Maya gained independence, which was the beginning of a century long Maya glory period. The last record of its glorious history is in a building built in 810 AD.
Quirigua Archaeological Park and Mayan cultural sites
Chirigua, built about 200 AD, is the architecture of the development of Maya culture to the second half of the ancient Maya Empire, is the largest and most prosperous city state, founded in 514 AD, is the largest and most prosperous city state of the ancient Maya Empire. Among the city's main monuments are the Square of a Thousand Pillars, which once supported a large vaulted roof. You can see the size of the building. Warrior temple and the reclining stone statue in front of the temple. The nine-story, 30-meter-high stepped pyramid of Kukulkan. As well as the holy well (limestone vertical cave) and built on the high platform in the shape of the Maya ancient astronomical observatory, called "cochlear platform". At that time, jade was the most expensive treasure. The jadeite from Quirigua is hard. Color from dark green to light green, rich in change, as a decoration is particularly cherished by people. The production and sale of jade brought prosperity to Quirigua, but by the mid-9th century, Quirigua had fallen along with other Mayan cities.
Quirigua's architecture, both technically and artistically, reached the peak of American culture in the 8th century AD. Around the Grand Square and the sacrificial square, pyramids, temples and palaces were built one after another. Unfortunately, these buildings were destroyed. However, the reliefs and hieroglyphs on the stone tablets record the political and economic history of the Maya society, but also engraved with dates and data, is a precious information for the study of the Mayan culture, the oldest stone tablet built in 692 AD, the highest stone tablet is 10.6 meters, the most recent stone tablet is very exquisite, engraved on the first generation of king Kavaku
The body of Skay.
The Mayans represented the highest level of civilization of their time, and it is amazing that during the dark Ages in Europe, their inhabitants could picture space, develop a native American writing system, and master mathematics. They also invented the calendar we use today, and it is a wonder that they were able to build such large and well-built cities without iron, livestock to carry, or even wheels.
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Main attraction
The main complex consists of those leading to the south
Acropolis
And a large square leading to the north, surrounded by numerous monuments. Unlike other Mayan sites, these monuments are not associated with altars. Monument F, formed in 711 and with a width of 10.66 meters, is the largest monument of the Maya. On these monuments are carved statues of Kings, standing upright, looking forward and wearing helmets studded with feathers.
The 12 giant engravings, measuring up to four metres across, retain the original shape of the rock and feature a two-headed monster with a Mayan king in its mouth.
The stone monuments in Quirigua also contain hitherto undeciphered hieroglyphs, presumably relating to social, political, and historical events, which provide a broad picture of Mayan life, culture, and history. Monuments F and D, in particular, stand out among the stones for their elegance of form and the clarity of their hieroglyphs.
Today, the Kirigua Archaeological Park has been opened to the public in order to prevent
Tropical climate
The relentless erosion of the monument has added protection to the surface. Located at the bottom of the great Valley of El Montegua, the Mayan colony in Quirigua attracts visitors from all over the world every day, and its exquisite carvings are undoubtedly the most primitive and wonderful art world of the Maya.
