San Bartolo, Maya archaeological site in Petén, Guatemala.
San Bartolo is a small pre-Columbian Maya site in the Petén Department of northern Guatemala, northeast of Tikal. Its structures include the 27-metre pyramid Las Ventanas, the Temple of Las Pinturas, the Tigrillo Complex with an early royal tomb, and, 500 metres east of the central plaza, a triadic complex in the Jabalí group. The pyramid was built from about 300 BC to about AD 50.
The settlement began around 600 BCE and was occupied until roughly 150 CE. During this time the main buildings were constructed, including temples decorated with painted walls.
The murals are not on public display: they lie in a sealed chamber at the base of the Las Pinturas pyramid and were stabilized and recorded after their 2001 discovery. Their scenes, including the maize god's birth from a split calabash and four kings piercing themselves to offer blood, are known from Heather Hurst's reconstruction drawings and Karl Taube's iconographic studies.
Access comes through jungle paths, so exploring the area works best with a knowledgeable guide. Visitors should be ready for warm, humid weather and bring sturdy footwear.
The temples hold one of the oldest known collections of Maya paintings with written symbols and detailed scenes. These artworks reveal the complex beliefs and worldview of people who lived here over 2000 years ago.
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