Yaxha
17.072222222222 - 89.4Koordinaten: 17 ° 4 ' 20 " N, 89 ° 24 ' 0 " W
( Also written Yaxhá ) Yaxha is a Mayan site in the department of Petén in northern Guatemala. She was one of the most important cities of the Classic Maya period and reached its peak between 700 and 900 AD
Location
Yaxha is a classic Maya site that is located between two lakes Sacnab and Yaxha.
Yaxha is located in the Research Triangle, Cultural area. This " Cultural Triangle" with 300 workers and 12 scientists, the largest research project of the Maya world. Here for the first time a geographical area of 1,200 km ² is investigated and documented. It consists of three large centers Yaxha, Nakum, Naranjo and 13 sub-centers.
The National Park Yaxha - Nakum - Naranjo is a gem of the Mayan world. It is part of the nature reserve of the Biosphere Maya. To the west it borders on the Tikal National Park, on the north by the Corredor Biológico Tikal El Mirador - Rio Azul and in the south and east by the Zona de Usos Multiples.
On the opposite side of the lake Yaxha the Topoxté Peninsula, the only facility located in the Peten with upright Postclassic architecture.
Description of the site
The Mayan name of the site is reflected in its Emblemhieroglyphe that represents the head of a parrot. He is Yax [ jasch ] Ha said what green - blue water means. The city was for 16 centuries (600 BC - 900 AD) populated.
Among the most important complexes include the Royal Palace, in which the emperor lived with his family, the Nordakropolis, the Astronomical Complex, two ball courts, the Ostakropolis, the painter complex and the twin pyramid complex. All of them are integrated into a system of paved roads and saints.
On the outskirts lived craftsmen, farmers and staff in simple huts made of wood or adobe (a mixture of soil, clay and water) with palm roofs. From their homes only witness the foundations of stone. Therefore, it is difficult to make estimates of the number of inhabitants. But it is estimated the population Yaxhas in their heyday ( 700-900 AD) to 35,000 people.
In the park important water resources are preserved. These include lagoons, streams and water reservoirs. Some of them were built by the Maya. It is found in the National Park a great variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects as well as a lush landscape.
In Yaxha different shapes and types of ceramics were found, which were used for rituals and for home use. The production of plates, mugs and bowls with polychrome patterns culminating in the classical period. The images usually presented mystical or historical scenes dar. It also vessels were found, which are decorated with hieroglyphs. These explain its ceremonial use and include the name of the craftsman who made it.
Astronomy
The Maya observed the course of the sun from sunrise to sunset, and their stand at the zenith. The two Astronomical Complex ( space F and C) are arranged on the fall of the angle of the sun at certain days of the year, especially for the solstice and equinox at a given point of the building. The time was exactly calculated by the Maya and held in calendars that were used for agriculture and ceremonies.
Financing
1989 started ( German Bank for Reconstruction ), the first excavation and restoration work in cooperation with KfW. The financial support of the KfW extended over 16 years and ended with the end of the year 2005. 2006 only took place additional measures such as the restoration of the palace 218
From 2002 to 2007 also flowed funds from the BID ( Banco de Desarrollo Interamericano ) in the place, with clear differences between the Rekonstruierungsarbeiten KfW and the BID can be seen.
TV
In Yaxha repeatedly shooting have already been held.
The site was the location for the 2005 reality show "Survivor Guatemala " of the North American channel CBS.
In March 2007, a team filmed from the mirror TV in Yaxha.