Holtun, Archaeological site in Petén Department, Guatemala.
Holtun is an archaeological site in Guatemala containing more than 200 structures arranged along a north-south axis that follows the natural slope of the land. The complex also has 27 water storage chambers showing how ancient inhabitants managed water in this region.
The site was discovered in 1994 following reports of unauthorized digging and shows continuous occupation from the Middle Preclassic through the Late Classic Maya periods. This long span of habitation shows the place remained important across many centuries.
Large stucco masks decorate the main stairway of Structure A-2, revealing artistic traditions shared across the Maya lowlands. These ornaments show what mattered to the people who built and used this place.
The location offers a good opportunity for visitors exploring the wider region between other known sites, situated about 35 kilometers southeast of Tikal and 25 kilometers south of Naranjo. The remote character of the place means you should plan time for exploration and prepare well for the visit.
The layout combines a triadic acropolis and an E Group formation, reflecting the sophisticated urban planning principles of the Maya. Seeing these two architectural concepts together in one place is quite remarkable in Maya archaeology.
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