Jaguar Temple facts for kids
The Jaguar Temple is an amazing ancient building from the Maya civilization. It is officially known as Lamanai Structure N10-9. This special temple is found at the Maya archaeological site of Lamanai, which is located in the country of Belize today. It is one of many incredible structures built by the ancient Maya people.
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What is the Jaguar Temple?
The Jaguar Temple is a type of building called a stepped-pyramid structure. This means it looks like a series of giant steps leading up to the sky. The ancient Maya built these pyramids for important reasons, often for religious ceremonies or to honor their rulers.
Where is the Jaguar Temple Located?
The Jaguar Temple is part of the larger Lamanai site. Lamanai is one of the biggest and oldest Maya cities ever found. It sits on the New River Lagoon in Belize. The name "Lamanai" means "submerged crocodile" in the local Maya language. This is because many crocodiles live in the nearby river!
Exploring its Unique Features
The Jaguar Temple has some very cool features that make it special. It's known for its unique jaguar decorations.
How Big is the Temple?
The Jaguar Temple stands tall, but a lot of it is actually hidden! The part you can see above ground is about twelve feet shorter than another big temple at Lamanai called the High Temple. However, a large part of the Jaguar Temple is still buried underground. Dirt covers its front side, and thick jungle plants cover its left side. This means there's even more to discover beneath the surface!
The Jaguar Masks
One of the most famous parts of the Jaguar Temple is its decorations. The front of the temple is adorned with large, blocky jaguar heads. These jaguar heads are carved in the same style as other temples at the Lamanai site. The jaguar was a very important animal to the Maya people. It was seen as a powerful creature, often linked to kingship and the underworld. These masks likely showed the power and importance of the rulers or gods honored at this temple.
Who Built the Jaguar Temple?
The Jaguar Temple was built by the ancient Maya people. They were an amazing civilization that lived in Mesoamerica for thousands of years. They were skilled builders, artists, and astronomers. They built huge cities, developed a complex writing system, and created a very accurate calendar. The Jaguar Temple is a great example of their incredible building skills.
Why is it Called the Jaguar Temple?
The temple gets its name from the large, carved jaguar masks on its front. These masks are a key feature of the building. The jaguar was a sacred animal to the Maya. It represented strength, courage, and the ability to move between the living world and the spirit world. Giving the temple this name highlights the importance of the jaguar in Maya culture and beliefs.
