Machaquila facts for kids
Machaquila (also spelled Machaquilá) is an ancient Maya city whose ruins are found in Guatemala. It was once a very important place for the amazing Maya civilization. This city reached its peak around the 800s AD.
Contents
Where is Machaquila Located?
Machaquila is in the Petén region of Guatemala. It sits by the Machaquila River, which flows into the larger Pasión River. This area was quite isolated, even in ancient times.
The city's location was perfect for trade. It was on a busy route connecting the Maya Mountains to the east with the Pasión and Usumacinta Rivers to the west. This made Machaquila an important stop for goods and ideas.
Today, the main part of the city with its big buildings is protected. However, the areas around it, where most people lived, are now private farmland.
How Machaquila Was Governed
Machaquila shared a special symbol, called an Emblem Glyph, with another Maya city named Cancuen. This suggests that these two cities might have been ruled together. They could have been part of a larger kingdom.
Some experts even think that Machaquila, Cancuen, and another city called Tres Islas might have taken turns being the main capital. This idea is still being discussed by archaeologists.
Machaquila's History
Machaquila grew powerful during the Late Classic period, especially in the 800s AD. Its rise happened after another powerful city, Dos Pilas, started to lose its influence. This allowed Machaquila to become more important in the region.
In 2004, archaeologists found a special stone panel at Cancuen. This panel shows Tajal Chan Ahk, a king from Cancuen, placing new rulers in charge at Machaquila. This shows that Machaquila was connected to other major Maya cities.
Modern Discoveries
Archaeologists from Guatemala and Spain have been studying Machaquila. They started digging and exploring the site in the early 2000s. Their work helps us learn more about this ancient city.
What Machaquila Looks Like
The main buildings at Machaquila were built during the Late Classic period. These include large temples and palace complexes. By 1984, explorers had found 19 tall stone monuments, called stelae, at the site.
Machaquila is a bit different from other Maya cities nearby. It doesn't have an "E-Group," which is a special set of buildings used to track the sun's movements. It also doesn't have a ballcourt, which was common in many Maya cities.
What makes Machaquila special is its many sculpted monuments. These carved stones tell us a lot about the city's history and rulers.
Plaza A
Plaza A was a special area used for ceremonies. It has several large pyramids (called Structures 16 to 20, and 22). Each pyramid likely had stelae and altars nearby. Archaeologists believe that the city's rulers might have been buried in this complex. A building called Structure 45, likely a home, separated this ceremonial area from the rest of the city.
Plaza C
Plaza C is the biggest area at Machaquila. It was mainly used for homes and living spaces for the people of the city.
Sculpted Monuments
When Machaquila was first discovered, many beautiful sculpted monuments were seen. Sadly, most of these are no longer at the site. Some were moved to museums to keep them safe. But many others were stolen, and no one knows where they are now.
The sculpted monuments from Machaquila included 18 stelae and 6 altars, plus other carved stone blocks. The stelae that were saved are now in the National Museum of Archaeology in Guatemala City. At the site today, you can still see parts of broken stelae or stelae where the carvings have been cut away by looters.
Images for kids
-
A stela from Machaquila, now in a museum in Guatemala City.
See also
In Spanish: Machaquilá para niños
