AN ARCHAEOLOGY LOVERS DREAM TOUR FROM HONDURAS TO GUATEMALA & BELIZE

Sunday April 12, 2026

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This morning we will depart Livingston by 8:30 AM for the archaeological zone of Tikal. We will arrive on time for lunch, and a sunset tour of this incredible and famous city. Settled between 900-600 BCE, Tikal began as a farming region before growing into an important Preclassiccity between 400 BCE - 250 CE.  She reached her peak between 250-900 CE, during the Classic Period.

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Tikal's ruling family is known as the Mutual Dynasty, based on ancient inscriptions.  Their rulers were named the Mutul Ajawob, and their rule stretched beyond the parameters of Tikal's walls and into the surrounding region.

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Being a major power-culture of their time, Tikal had many rivalries.  Their longest conflict was with Calakmul, in what is now Campeche, Mexico.  Called the "Snake Kingdom" rivalry, this was the longest conflict in Tikal's known history.  Another enemy was the city of Caracol, in modern Belize.  Aligned with Calakmul, Caracol defeated. Tikal in 562 CE, which led to the temporary decline of Tikal.

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Tikal's conflict with Dos Pilas was a little more complicated, as Dos Piles was founded by a prince from Tikal who later betrayed his lineage and threw his support behind Calakmul.  This betrayal led to civil-war style skirmishes among the Tikal royal family.

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Tikal's relationship with Naranjo was similarly complicated, as the two cities ran hot and cold, between being ally's and enemies, depending on the position of different rulers.

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Tikal's gradual collapse began in 700 CE, concluding with complete abandonment by 950 CE.  This collapse was part of the larger decline of the entire lowland region, thought to be the result of water scarcity, agricultural failures, population decline due to food shortages and war that threatened the safety of their important trade routes that had served as a lifeline between various cities.  Evidence also shows deforestation would have played a role, along with soil exhaustion and erosion.  When trade of obsidian, jade and cacao collapsed, the state could no longer sustain itself economically.

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After Tikal was abandoned, small groups remained in and around the city, but this city that may have reached 100,000 people at its peak, would never rise again.

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We will have the afternoon to explore the ruins, staying for sunset in the park.  We will retreat to our hotel for dinner and an early night.

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Monday April 13, 2026

 

Uaxactun is considered one of the most important and oldest of known Maya cities.  The city was settled in 900 BCE, like Tikal, and was a centre for astronomy, Preclassic ceremonial architecture and cooperation with Tikal, which is only 12 miles away.

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Believed to be older than Tikal, Uaxactun's astronomy platform tracked solar movements, solstices and equinoxes.  The plaza layout found at Uaxactun is found throughout the Maya civilization.  There are stelae here with Maya Long Count dates, painted murals and carved monuments.  

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Politically, Tikal and Uaxactun were allies, though it wasn't always a simply relationship.  Uaxactun was defeated by Tikal in 378 CE by a linage associated with Siyaj K'ak', who was a warrior from Teotihuacan.  It is believed that Uaxactun remained under Tikal's rule after this, emerging as a secondary capital of Tikal.

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Though Sylvanus Morley named Uaxactun in 1916, a name that means "Eight-Stone," in reference to the glyphs on Stelae 9, the original name may have been Sian K'aan, which means "Born in the Sky."  Given her connections to what are believed to be the earliest observatories for astronomy, this name is certainly fitting.

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Tuesday April 14, 2026

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This morning we are going to head into Tikal for sunrise.  We are offering a second day for this site, as it is large and overwhelming to see on one afternoon.  For those who want a break from archaeology, you can always retreat to our hotel to soak in the pool, enjoy the birds, read a book etc.

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