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4w ago

Ancient Teotihuacan Altar Discovery Illuminates Maya Political Upheaval

A 1,700-year-old altar uncovered in Tikal highlights Teotihuacan's cultural and political influence during a transformative period in Maya history.

Structure 6D-XV-Sub3, altar found buried under the Mayan city of Tikal with murals photographed from the south-west (Credit: Antiquity/Cambridge University Press; Photograph by E. Román)
Mexican “Storm God” Altar At Tikal Confirms Invasion Of Maya Empire
FILE - A view of Temple I, also known as Temple of the Great Jaguar, stands in northern Tikal National Park, in Peten, Guatemala, April 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo, File)
An illustration of a Teotihuacan-style altar that was recently discovered in the Mayan site of Tikal is displayed on a screen as Guatemalan archaeologist Lorena Paiz, right, speaks during a press conference at the National Palace in Guatemala City, Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Overview

  • Archaeologists have discovered a Teotihuacan-style altar in Tikal, Guatemala, dated between 400 and 450 AD, showcasing the extent of cultural exchange between the two civilizations.
  • The altar features iconography of the Teotihuacan storm goddess, intricate painted designs, and evidence of human sacrifice, including the remains of three children and an adult.
  • Researchers believe the altar was crafted by a Teotihuacan artisan, reflecting the city's direct cultural and political imprint on Tikal during this period.
  • The discovery ties to the 378 AD coup orchestrated by Teotihuacan, during which they deposed Tikal's king and installed a puppet ruler, marking a period of upheaval and external dominance.
  • Advanced LiDAR technology revealed hidden replicas of Teotihuacan architecture in Tikal, further supporting evidence of occupation and surveillance by the central Mexican power.