Chitinamit, Archaeological site in El Quiché, Guatemala.
Chitinamit is an archaeological site on a mountain in Guatemala's highlands, built across stone terraces and defensive structures arranged around a central plaza. It contains residential buildings, a ball court, and a temple built from stone, spread across the mountainside.
The site served as the first capital of the K'iche' Maya before it was destroyed in a fire that swept through the settlement. This violent end brought centuries of habitation and power to a close.
The site reflects how the K'iche' people organized their mountain communities and daily life. The arrangement of buildings and open spaces shows what mattered most to them as a society.
The site sits on a mountain with uneven terrain, and exploring it involves some climbing and walking over rough ground. Bring sturdy shoes and water, especially if you plan to see the whole settlement.
Scattered across the hillside are projectile points and weapons that tell of a violent confrontation. These scattered remnants reveal that the settlement did not fade away peacefully but met a sudden, forceful end.
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