La historia Zaculeu

Zaculeu

Zaculeu (or Saqulew in modern Mayan orthography) is a pre-Columbian archaeological site in the western highlands of Guatemala. It is within walking distance of the city of Huehuetenango.1 Zaculeu was the capital of the kingdom Mam, a manor of the Maya civilization in the time posclásica.2

Zaculeu was populated in the Early Classic period (250-600 d. C.), and the buildings of that time show the influence of Teotihuacán. Longer buildings dating from the classical period. In the post-classical period other groups of squares and buildings were added. The site has a number of pyramid temples in slope-style board with stairs dobles.3 Pyramids and government palaces are grouped around a series of squares. It also has a field for the ball game mesoamericano.3 The site was originally a fortified wall.

In the post-classical was conquered by the K'iche 'Kingdom of Q'umarkaj, which contributed its own architectural style that was mixed with the style mam.4 In 1525 the city was attacked by Spanish conquistador Gonzalo de Alvarado y Contreras. After a siege that lasted several months, Kayb'il B'alam, the last ruler of the city, finally had to rindirse affected by hambruna.

History

Zaculeu was first occupied in the Early Classic period (250-600 d. C.) 3 and the buildings of this period show the architectural influence of the great metropolis of Teotihuacan in the Valley of Mexico. Larger buildings dating from the Classical period (250-900 d. C.). These other sets of places and buildings in the Early Postclassic (900-1200 d. C.) and Late Postclassic (1200-1525 d. C.) in an unbroken history was added.

Zaculeu was again under the influence of central Mexico during the Late Classic and it is possible that a Mexican elite had settled in the city, keeping its presence until the conquest of the site by the Quiche in the Postclassic period.

Etymology and location

Zaculeu The name means "white earth" in the Mam, Quiche kanjobal Language and language, and is derived from saq adjective meaning "black" and ulew meaning "land" .8 In the Mam language the site is also known as Chinabajul. 3

The archaeological site is located in the municipality of San Lorenzo on the outskirts of the city of Huehuetenango in the department of Huehuetenango and is the main tourist attraction in the zona.9 Zaculeu lies at an altitude of 1900 m, 10 and is dominated by the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes.11

Zaculeu is located in an area of fertile land near the rivers Selegua and Viña.12 The site is located on a plateau overlooking the Selegua River, which flows west of the city. The south and east of the site are bordered by deep ravines, leaving as the only path connecting the plateau with valley, a narrow passage in the north. Zaculeu Plateau covers an area of 11,178 yards cuadradas13 (4,191 m²).

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