Tikal

Set within the tropical forests of Guatemala, Tikal’s development from a tribal settlements to urban structure occurred at its earliest around 200BC. Mayan architects designed short, broad temples with wide staircases flanked by enormous stucco masks. There are elaborate masks of Mayan deities are made from incinerated sandstone. The temples are aligned with astronomical pertinence and precision, primarily for alignment with the Spring solstice and geomagnetic grids. The North Acropolis of Tikal held over 100 stone temples on great stone platforms. The wide temple staircases operated as settings for ritual and ceremony, the masks encouraging mythological connections. The structures slower gained in number, size and height, their sacred confines remote and impenetrable. They continue to dominate the landscape of Tikal.