- El Perú (Maya site)
El Perú (also known as Waka' ), is a
pre-Columbian Mayaarcheological site occupied during the Preclassic and Classic (roughly 500 BC to A.D.800 ). The site was the capital of a Mayacity-state located near the banks of theSan Pedro River in the Department of Petén of northernGuatemala . El Perú is 60 km (37 miles) west ofTikal .Etymology
The site was named "El Perú" when rediscovered in the
20th century .Hieroglyph s identified and deciphered at the site have indicated that the ancient name for the site was “Waka'.” While both names are currently used interchangeably, El Perú predominates on extant maps.History
The first recorded meeting between
Teotihuacan and the Maya occurred at Waka' in378 , 10 days prior to their arrival at Tikal. This moment is known amongMesoamerica narchaeologist s as “La Entrada.” During the early phases of the Early Classic, Waka’ was allied with Tikal.Waka’, however, later betrayed Tikal and forged an
alliance with Calakmul. This alliance was solidified by K'inich Balam (“Sun Faced Jaguar”), who ruled from the late7th century to the early8th century and was married to Lady T'abi, a royalprincess fromCalakmul , capital of the Kandynasty at the time. This union was a political maneuver that linked El Peru (K’inich Balam) to Calakmul and its leader Yuknom Cheen in amilitary alliance . Lady T’abi was later given the title "ix kaloomté" ("empress" or "war lord”), a high title used in ancient Mayatext s. Yuknom Cheen was attempting to gather several Maya kingdoms into a largerpolity Waka’s downfall was likely initiated by its alliance with Calakmul. Following Tikal’s re-emergence from its hiatus in the Late Classic, Calakmul fell to its military might. Calakmul’s ruler, likely the brother of Lady T'abi, was defeated, captured ,and sacrificed in Tikal’s central plaza in A.D.
732 . Waka’ was converted into avassal state of Tikal and eventually destroyed a decade later, an event that included the capture and sacrifice of K'inich Balam's successor.Recent discoveries
A number of tombs have recently been discovered at Waka' that contribute to the understanding of past Maya culture. [ [http://www.mesoweb.com/reports/waka2.html Tomb finds at El Peru] ] One that is particularly important is the “Queen’s Tomb.” This feature contains the remains of a female in a
tomb containing a rich assortment ofgrave good s. Of particular importance is the presence of a bloodletting paraphernalia in the form of aceremonial stingray spine. This object was in clear association with the individual’sgenital region, and indicates that royal women practiced genitalia bloodlettingritual s.An additional tomb for an elite individual was recently found within an 18 meter tall pyramid located in the site’s central core. The tomb’s chamber, which is 5.1 meters long by 1.5 meters wide, contained a rich
assemblage of grave goods, including jade offerings, shell artifacts,ceramic vessels, 12 ballgame playerfigurine s, the paws ofjaguar , and stones from the Eastern Highlands and the Pacific Lowlands, which were used as signs ofwealth . The early date of the tomb, between ca.200 and400 , indicates Waka’s early regional importance in the southern Maya lowlands.Finally, recent research at the site of
Zapote Bobal suggests a strong connection between that site and El Perú. It is possible that El Perú may have had a strong influence on the dynasty centered at Zapote Bobal. [Breuil et al. (2004).]El Perú today
While open to the public, Waka' is a difficult site to get to. It sits atop an
escarpment in the Laguna del Tigre National Park (part of theMaya Biosphere Reserve ), six kilometers north of the San Pedro River. The site can be reached via an arduous route fromFlores , the closest town with an airport (theMundo Maya International Airport ).Notes
Bibliography
*Breuil, Véronique, Laura Gamez, James L. Fitzsimmons, Jean-Paul Metailie, Edy Barrios, and Edwin Roman (2004) Primeras noticias de Zapote Bobal, una ciudad maya clasica del norocidente de Peten, Guatemala. "Mayab" 17: 61-83.
External links
* [http://www.archaeology.org/interactive/waka/ Archaeology Magazine's Interactive Waka']
* [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/05/040506073833.htm Recent announcements from Southern Methodist University Researchers]
* [http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050606/full/050606-15.html Nature Magazine]
* [http://www.authenticmaya.com/waka.htm Description and Photo Gallery]
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