Arroyo de Piedra facts for kids
Arroyo de Piedra is an ancient Maya archaeological site in Guatemala. It's located about 2-3 kilometers east of Dos Pilas and 3 kilometers west of Tamarindito. This site was active during the middle part of the Classic period of Maya history.
At first, Arroyo de Piedra was an important center in its region. But when Dos Pilas grew powerful, Arroyo de Piedra became a smaller, secondary center within the Petexbatun area.
The buildings at Arroyo de Piedra look different from those at Dos Pilas and Aguateca. However, they are similar to the buildings found at Tamarindito. Ancient Maya writings, called hieroglyphs, tell us that Arroyo de Piedra and Tamarindito were once an independent group before Tikal established Dos Pilas. It seems Arroyo de Piedra was abandoned in the 8th century. This happened after Dos Pilas collapsed and the group it led fell apart.
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What is Arroyo de Piedra?
Arroyo de Piedra is a place where archaeologists study the ancient Maya civilization. It's like a historical puzzle, helping us understand how Maya cities grew and interacted.
Where is Arroyo de Piedra Located?
This site is found in the country of Guatemala. It's in a region that was once home to many important Maya cities. Its close neighbors were Dos Pilas and Tamarindito.
When Was Arroyo de Piedra Important?
Arroyo de Piedra was active during the Classic period of Maya history. This was a time when Maya cities were at their peak. It was especially important in the middle part of this period.
How Did Arroyo de Piedra Change Over Time?
- Early Importance: At first, Arroyo de Piedra was a significant center on its own.
- Becoming Secondary: Later, a powerful city called Dos Pilas grew nearby. Arroyo de Piedra then became a smaller, less important center under Dos Pilas.
- Independent Group: Before Dos Pilas became dominant, Arroyo de Piedra and Tamarindito formed their own independent group. They worked together as a single political unit.
Why Was Arroyo de Piedra Abandoned?
The site was left empty in the 8th century. This happened after the city of Dos Pilas fell apart. When Dos Pilas collapsed, the whole region became unstable, leading to the abandonment of many smaller sites like Arroyo de Piedra.
See also
In Spanish: Arroyo de Piedra para niños
- List of Maya sites
