Quiriguá, Archaeological site in Izabal Department, Guatemala
Quiriguá is an archaeological complex with numerous stone monuments, including stelae and zoomorphic altars distributed across multiple elevated plazas and terraces. The site spreads across land covered in dense tropical vegetation, with the carved stones rising among trees and thick greenery.
The settlement began as a small trading post and grew into a powerful kingdom between 250 and 900 CE. Its greatest achievement was defeating the neighboring city of Copán, which greatly increased its political influence in the region.
The stone carvings record stories of Maya leaders and their power struggles through carefully carved glyphs. For the people who lived here, these monuments served as a way to preserve their most important events and victories.
The best way to explore the site is on foot along the paths between the monuments, which wind through the tropical surroundings. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as the heat and humidity are intense and vegetation can be overgrown.
Stela E rises to about 10.6 meters, standing as the tallest carved stone monument ever erected in pre-Columbian America. This extraordinary size shows the technical skill and ambition of the Maya craftspeople who shaped these massive blocks.
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