Piedras Negras

Piedras Negras is a Maya archaeological site in Guatemala that spreads across multiple hillsides along the Usumacinta River. The settlement features numerous plazas, temples, and stone monuments scattered throughout its terrain.

The settlement began around 700 BC and remained occupied until roughly 900 AD, with its peak activity during the Late Classic period. It served as an important trading and administrative hub along the river corridor.

The Maya people called this place Yo'k'ib, meaning 'great gateway' in their language. Stone monuments throughout the site display carved inscriptions that record stories of rulers and their lineages.

The location is quite remote and requires careful planning for a visit; most people reach it through organized guided tours. Travel involves navigating through dense jungle and sometimes using river routes.

Artisans left their signatures through repeated glyphs carved into the monuments, providing visible evidence of individual Maya sculptors' names. These personal marks show a direct link between creator and creation that is rarely documented elsewhere.