Uaxactun

Uaxactun is an ancient Maya archaeological site in the Petén lowlands of northern Guatemala, noted for its Preclassic and Early Classic occupation and for important ceremonial architecture. Archaeologists recognize it for structures used in astronomical observation and for its contributions to Maya chronology.

The cleared site contains plazas, temple-pyramids and an E-Group astronomical complex oriented to sunrise positions; these features are accessible on foot within the archaeological zone. Trails lead between mounds and restored foundations, giving a compact view of civic and ceremonial architecture.

Uaxactun was occupied from the Preclassic into the Classic period and was a focus of archaeological fieldwork in the early 20th century and thereafter. Excavations and studies at the site contributed to the development of Maya chronology and our understanding of lowland settlement patterns.

Located north of Tikal in Guatemala’s Petén department, Uaxactun lies within the broader Maya forest region and is reached from regional centres such as Flores and the Tikal visitor area.

• E-Group: Contains a well-preserved E-Group complex used for solar observations and calendrical ceremonies.
• Excavations: Early 20th-century excavations by Sylvanus G. Morley helped establish stratigraphic sequences and phases for Maya chronology at the site.

What to See #

• Group E: A formal astronomical complex aligned for sunrise observations, featuring a pyramid and a long plaza axis used for calendrical purposes.
• North Acropolis: Clusters of temples, plazas and residential structures forming the civic-ceremonial core of the site, with masonry architecture from the Preclassic and Classic periods.