Paleo Slide Set: Climate and the Classic Maya Civilization
Temple I at Tikal, Department of Peten, Guatemala

Deep within the tropical rainforests of Guatemala lies Tikal, one of the largest cities 
of the Maya civilization. Serving as an administrative, ritual and cultural center for the 
surrounding urban and agricultural regions, Tikal was home to large populations of people. 
During the time period between 600 and 800 A.D., Tikal's population grew to as many as 
60,000 citizens, making the population density of the city several times greater than the 
average city in Europe or America during this time.

The city of Tikal occupied a six-square mile area and included as many as 10,000 individual 
structures, ranging from temple-pyramids to thatched-roof huts. The temple-pyramid was by far 
the most impressive of the architectural feats and towered above all other structures of the 
Maya city. Built from hand-cut limestone blocks, the temple-pyramids contained only one or two 
narrow rooms and mainly was used for ceremonial purposes.



Photo Credits:
David A. Hodell 
Department of Geology, University of Florida