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Unxcavated Temples Mounds. Kaminaljuyú, Guatemala City, Guatemala. |
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Temple. Kaminaljuyú, Guatemala City, Guatemala. |
Kaminaljuyú Archaeological Ruins:
Kaminaljuyú, pronounced "KAH mee nahl hoo yoo". This site was first reported by Alfred P. Maudsley in the late nineteenth century. Kaminaljuyú was made up of over 200 structures in an area of approximately 5 square kilometers, making it the largest site in the Guatemalan highlands. Much of the site has been covered by modern day Guatemala City, but part of it still remains as mounds. Most items recovered from Kaminaljuyú are at the museums, including the Museo Popol Vuh. There are many buildings at the site and all were made of adobe which is unusual. Most of the buildings were destroyed by the encroaching neighborhoods. What remains is enclosed in a park. Some of the remaining site has been excavated and it is worth visiting. It is under a tin roof protected area and you can visit the area for a small fee. It does not make dramatic impression like Tikal does, but it is worth the visit to look at the mounds of this ancient Pre-Classic Ruins in Guatemala City. This site dates back possibly to the early Preclassic period (800 BCE-300 CE), but by its end, the city was abandoned. During the Early Classic (300-600CE), it became a major center and soon came under the influence of Teotihuacan and remained so until around the end of that era. The city has been described by some as a miniature Teotihuacán and it clearly had ties to that city so far to the north. In fact, it was abandoned at about the same time that Teotihuacan collapsed. A new museum has opened called the Museo Miraflores. They have wonderful displays dedicated to the city of Kaminaljuyú. The museum is certainly worth the visit. We arranged a tour through Clark Tours for a half day. It was certainly worth the price.
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We suggest getting a hotel in Guatemala and then letting them arrange either a car or a tour of Guatemala. We prefer Clark Tours, who have been in business for over 80 years. If you call the hotels Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you. We do this all the time, when traveling in Guatemala. It is safe and it works!!! We have never experienced a problem doing it this way! La Aurora International Airport (IATA: GUA, ICAO: MGGT) serves Guatemala City, Guatemala. It is located 6 km south of Guatemala City's center and 25 km from Antigua. It is administered by the Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil. Mundo Maya International Airport (IATA: FRS, ICAO: MGTK), also known as Flores International Airport, is the international airport located in the suburb of Santa Elena, in the city of Flores, Guatemala. It serves national and international air traffic for the areas of Flores, Santa Elena, and San Benito, as well as all the Mayan sites like Tikal or Yaxhá and destinations like Guatemala City, Belize and Cancún. Therefore, we have placed a link to Priceline.Com on this page so you can arrange your flights into and out of Guatemala; as well as your hotel, when visiting this area.
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These Mounds | Are In A Park |
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And They Are Just About All | That Remains Visible Of Kaminaljuyú |
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More Cam Be Seen | In The Park |
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If You Look Hard Enough More Can Be Seen At The Park! | Several Miles Away More Mounds Are Seen At The New Museo Miraflores. |
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At The Park, You Can Enter A Tin Shed. | And Excavated Temples Can Be Visited. |
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They Are Made Of Adobe, Not Stone! | They Are Large And Complex! |
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Here Are The Kings Thrones. Some Original Color Can Be Seen. | Arched Doorways And Tunnels! |
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Many Steps. | Can Be Seen. |
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All Made Of Adobe. | Mud And Earth. |
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Arched Doorways. | Arched Doorways. |
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Arched Doorways. | Adobe Steps. |
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Tunnels. | Tunnels. |
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Tunnels. | Tunnels. |
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Temple Steps. | Tunnels. |