El Zotz is a Mayan ruin in El Peten in Guatemala.
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| El Zotz | ||
| Department | El Peten | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | unknown | |
| no value for residents on Wikidata: | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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background
Not much is known about this site. It had its heyday in the late classical period. Although the building architecture is very different from the close neighbor Tikal is shaped, the two nearby cities seemed to have been deeply enemies. Not only that from the highest pyramids the other highest pyramid could be "monitored". So it is recorded in inscriptions that El Zotz together with Naranjo went to war against Tikal in AD 744. The last inscription describes a direct attack from Tikal on the city. A short time later the city was given up. The site was given the name El Zotz by archaeologists and refers to the many bat caves that are abandoned by thousands of bats in the evening. In the 1960s, art thieves stole a sculpted lintel here. This then reappeared in a museum in North America and was soon returned to Guatemala. The city was first explored in 1977 and extensive excavation work began in 2008. In 2010 a royal grave with numerous grave goods was discovered here.
getting there
By plane
The nearest airport is in Flores (Guatemala). From here buses go to Tikal
By train
In the street
There is a hiking trail through the rainforest Tikal connects with El Zotz.
By boat
mobility
Tourist Attractions
The most famous building is the 45 meter high pyramid El diabolo. The name goes back to two theories. One describes the steep execution of the pyramid and the resulting breakneck ascent. The other goes back to the many bats that are seen around the pyramid at night. The pyramid can be seen from Temple IV in good weather Tikal can be seen and vice versa from here you have a good view of Temple IV.
Other groups:
- Group 1. Also called the Eastern Group. The lintel was stolen from here in the 1960s. The largest building is reminiscent of Temple I in Tikal.
- Group 2. Also central group. Here you will find, among other things, an acropolis and a ball playground.
- Group 3. The group of the five temples. This square is dominated by two pyramids.
- Group 4. The southern group. Here is another acropolis, which can be reached via a path from group three.
