Archaeologists Discover Elaborately Adorned Altar Likely Used for Ancient Sacrifices in Guatemala

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Discovered in the ruins of Tikal, the altar sheds light on strained relations between the Maya city and Teotihuacán—which was located more than 600 miles away

Sonja Anderson – Daily Correspondent

An elaborately crafted altar, potentially associated with child sacrifices, has been unearthed at the site of Tikal, a significant ancient Maya city in modern-day Guatemala. This discovery offers insights into the cultural dynamics and conflicts between the Maya and Teotihuacán, a metropolis over 600 miles away.

Dated to the late fourth century, the rectangular altar features vivid painted panels in hues of red, yellow, and black. These depict a figure adorned with a feathered headdress and circular earrings, alongside objects that may represent royal shields. The imagery strongly resembles that of a deity known as the “Storm God,” prevalent in central Mexican iconography, as noted in a recent study published in the journal Antiquity.

Researchers speculate that the artisan responsible for the altar was likely from Teotihuacán, a city renowned for its monumental Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. Teotihuacán, which supported over 100,000 inhabitants, had a remarkably different scale compared to Tikal, which reached its highest population of approximately 10,000.

Though initially partners in trade, tensions arose between the two cities, particularly as settlers from Teotihuacán began to migrate into Tikal’s vicinity.

“It’s becoming increasingly apparent that interactions between the two cultures were more profound than just sporadic trading,” remarks co-author Andrew Scherer, an archaeologist at Brown University, during an interview with NPR’s “All Things Considered.”

Historically, researchers have explored the fraught relationship between Tikal and Teotihuacán since the 1950s, when a stone inscription revealed that around 378 C.E., Teotihuacán leaders had assumed control over Tikal.

“They displaced the local king, installing a puppet leader who served Teotihuacán’s interests,” states co-author Stephen Houston. The newly uncovered altar dates back to this period of political upheaval.

In previous years, lidar scans revealed a miniature replica of Teotihuacán’s citadel near Tikal’s center, supporting the theory that Teotihuacanos closely monitored Tikal prior to their takeover. The latest altar serves as further evidence of Teotihuacán’s influence in Tikal.

“This altar underscores the fact that elite figures from Teotihuacán not only visited Tikal but also sought to replicate components of their religious structures there,” Houston remarks. “It highlights Teotihuacán’s significant cultural footprint in Tikal.”

The architectural style of Teotihuacán often featured complexes designed around central altars, paralleling the findings in Tikal. Co-author and excavation leader Lorena Paiz conveys this to the Associated Press.

Researchers suspect that the altar was utilized for human sacrifices, specifically involving children, as the remains of three children, each under the age of four, were found adjacent to the altar. Sacrificial practices were common in both societies, as they were integral to their spiritual beliefs.

The discovery may potentially represent the most compelling evidence to date of Maya individuals who were well-acquainted with Teotihuacán customs, according to co-author Edwin Román, who heads the South Tikal Archaeological Project, speaking to Agence France-Presse.

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