Uaxactún, Archaeological site in Petén, Guatemala.
Uaxactún is an archaeological site in Petén featuring a central pyramid and three eastern temples surrounded by rainforest. The structures are arranged around plazas and were designed so their alignments track the movements of celestial bodies across the sky.
The earliest inscription at this site dates to 328 and the latest to 899, showing continuous occupation over nearly 600 years. This long span of habitation made it one of the longest-lived settlements in the Maya lowlands.
The temples and plazas show how the Maya applied their knowledge of sky movements directly into stone structures. These buildings served as places of worship and also functioned as tools for tracking the sun and stars throughout the year.
The site is located about 23 kilometers north of Tikal and accessed only via unpaved forest roads that require sturdy footwear. Plan for slow travel through the rainforest and bring water and sun protection for the journey.
The name comes from a stela where a date begins with the numeral eight, translating to 'Eight Stones' in the Maya language. Archaeologists gave the site this name after discovering and deciphering this particular inscription.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
