http://SaturnianCosmology.Org/ mirrored file
For complete access to all the files of this collection
	see http://SaturnianCosmology.org/search.php 
==========================================================

#Wikipedia (en) copyright Wikipedia RSS Feed Wikipedia Atom Feed

Takalik Abaj

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Drawing of Stela 2 from Tak'alik A'baj 
Drawing of Stela 2 from Tak'alik A'baj
Stela 5 from Takal'ik Ab'aj. Note the two Long Count dates. 
Stela 5 from Takal'ik Ab'aj. Note the two Long Count dates.

Tak'alik A'baj' is an pre-Columbian archaeological site, formerly
known as Abaj Takalik.^[1] It is one of several Mesoamerican sites
with both Olmec and Maya civilization features. The site flourished in
the Pre-Classic era, from the 8th century BC through the 9th century
CE, and was an important commerce centre, trading with Kaminal Juyú
and with Chocolá.

The site is located in El Asintal,in the Retalhuleu Department of
Guatemala, some 120 miles (190 km) from Guatemala City. The name means
"Standing Stones" in the local K'iche' (Quiché) Maya language; the
ancient name of the site is as yet unknown.

The core of the site covers about 6.5 square kilometers, with remains
of some 82 monumental structures around a dozen plazas. It has 2 ball
courts and over 282 stone monuments known to date, including
impressive stelae and altars. The materials used are granite stones
much different from the soft limestone used in the Petén cities, in
Olmec and archaic Maya styles.^[2]. The site is also noted for its
hydraulic systems, including a temazcal or sauna bath with a
subterranean drainage, and Pre-Classic tombs recently found there by
Drs. Marion Popenoe de Hatch, Barbara Schieber and Mario Orrego, from
the Universidad Del Valle in Guatemala.

[edit] Notes

1. ^ "Tak'alik A'baj" has often been listed as "Abaj Takalik", which
is grammatically incorrect in Quiché; the more correct "Tak'alik
A'baj'" is the official name according to the Government of
Guatemala.
2. ^ Tarpy.

[edit] References

* Tarpy, Cliff (2004) "Place of the Standing Stones", in National
Geographic, May 2004.

[edit] External links

* Site description and gallery

Coordinates: 14°37'N, 91°47'W
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takalik_Abaj"
Categories: Maya sites in Guatemala