Takalik Abaj is a ruined city of the Maya in Pacific coast (Guatemala) in Guatemala.
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| Takalik Abaj | ||
| Department | Retalhuleu Department | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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background
This site is generally assigned to both the Mayan culture and the Olmec culture. Translated, the name means "standing stones" and comes from the K'iche 'Maya. This name was created by the first archaeologists. The archaeologists initially made a grammatical error and named the city Abaj Takalik. This has now been corrected by the government in Guatemala, although the actual name of the place is still unknown. The first settlements here go back to the early pre-classical period, since around 1000 BC. The first houses were built. From 800 BC A first high culture with a clear Olmec character developed here. However, from 700 BC onwards this received Increasingly strong Mayan influence. The buildings erected during this period represent a transition phase between Olmec and Maya construction. By the end of the pre-classical period, the city reached its greatest size of 4 km² and an ever stronger Mayan influence became apparent, especially through trade contacts with Kaminaljuyu. In the early classical period, many buildings were damaged and the style of the ceramics provided a reference Teotihuacan Probably the trade routes changed or the city was taken militarily. In the late classical period, the city recovered from the events of the early classical period and was able to maintain its status until the post-classical period around 1000 AD. After that, the city lost its importance and was probably abandoned around 1200 AD.
getting there
Of Quetzaltenango organized tours are offered.
By plane
By train
In the street
You take a long-distance bus to Retalhuleu from Guatemala City or from the border (Tecun Uman). It is best to leave Reu in the morning. You can take a taxi or a tuk-tuk (cheaper) to El Asintal. Some drivers have to ask a colleague for directions first, this is normal as only a few tourists visit the ruins. The entire route should not cost more than 25 quetzales. In El Asintal you have to take a taxi to the Parque archelogico "Takalik abaj". Since very few visitors visit the ruins, 30-50 Quetzales can be expected for the individual trip. You should arrange a time with the taxi driver at which he will pick you up again. There is no public transport, but if you use one of the guides who are available at the entrance to the ruins, they will often drive you back to El Asintal for a tip.
By boat
mobility
Tourist Attractions
The complex offers numerous monuments and sculptures in the Olmec, Mayan and Olmec / Maya mixed styles. These are distributed over four groups:
- Central group. There are around 40 structures and over 100 monuments on 5 terraces. The oldest buildings come from the middle pre-classical period.
- North group. Here there are three terraces with numerous other buildings. However, these are different from the other groups made of clay and kept simple. These buildings all come from the late or post-classical period.
- South group. A little further away there are 13 further structures.
- West group. Here is a terrace with 21 structures. Numerous jade masks have been found here. The buildings date from the late pre-classical period to the late classical period.
activities
shop
kitchen
nightlife
accommodation
- Takalik Maya Lodge, Terrace 9 Tak'alik Abaj Archaeological Site, 190.5 km to the Pacific Highway, Retalhuleu, Guatemala, C.A. Tel.: 502 2334-7693, 502 2334-7694, Email: [email protected].
