Mirador, Guatemala
Cradle of Mayan Civilization
A roofing system protects Structure 34 from deterioration by heavy tropical rains.
Scientific work and conservation and development programs are, and have been, conducted at the regional level to understand the origins, cultural and ecological dynamics, and the demographic collapse of complex society in the area of the Mirador Basin in the Maya Lowlands. The investigations include studies of the developmental process in the complex social, political, economic, ecological and environmental context of the early Maya, and the causes and consequences of the decline and collapse of Preclassic Maya civilization nearly 800 years earlier than the great Late Classic collapse around A.D. 900. The dynamic factors of culture and environment are evident in the Mirador Basin and specific efforts are focused on the conservation and protection of the unique cultural and environmental contexts of the area.
In 2008, GHF, FARES and the Government of Guatemala formally opened the site of El Mirador, the largest Maya complex in the world, to the public. GHF funding over the next four years will complete restoration of the entire complex of El Mirador, the namesake for Mirador Archaeological and Wildlife Preserve, containing the oldest and largest pyramid in the Maya world – La Danta. El Mirador will become the engine for sustainable tourism and economic development in Northern Peten, Guatemala. We expect to complete the conservation of La Danta in 2010 along with 10-12 other major buildings at El Mirador. GHF funding will complete the restoration and conservation of La Danta, the North Acropolis, Structure 34, La Muerta and Cascabel complexes.
2007-2008 were landmark years for conservation of Mirador’s most important archaeological treasures including:
- Emergency consolidation and stabilization of La Danta Pyramid threatened major architecture at El Mirador.
- Large-scale archaeological excavations at El Mirador including Structure 34 exposing Preclassic mask reliefs and numerous plaza and platform excavations at the site.
- Preliminary exploration and mapping of ten previously unknown and unexplored ancient cities (La Sarteneja, La Tortuga, Paxban, Wakna, El Camotillo, El Guiro, El Porvenir, La Ceibita, la Florecita, La Iglesia) which now complement the recently finished maps of the ancient cities of Tintal, Naba, Bejucal, and Xulnal. This study was under the supervision of Archaeologist Hector Mejia and 4 students from San Carlos University and the University Center of Peten.
- Discovery of major ancient Preclassic (ca. 300-200 B.C.) wall paintings at Wakna (similar to those recently found at San Bartolo) and at Porvenir (Late Classic, ca. A.D. 700).
Several shelters have been constructed over archaeological features. The shelters are well designed, minimal and on the whole functional. The roofs apply needed protection from violent- and other rainstorms. Run-off water is gathered by gutters and stored for use onsite.
