El Perú (Maya site)
707370
190491213
2008-02-10T23:29:47Z
CJLL Wright
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/70.45.93.143|70.45.93.143]] ([[User talk:70.45.93.143|talk]]) to last version by Steven J. Anderson
[[Image:Waka altar.jpg|thumb|250px|right| Carved [[altar]] from El Perú (Waka') in [[Guatemala]].]]
'''El Perú''' (also known as '''Waka' '''), is a [[pre-Columbian]] [[Maya civilization|Maya]] [[archeological site]] occupied during the [[Mesoamerican chronology|Preclassic]] and [[Mesoamerican chronology|Classic]] (roughly 500 BC to A.D. [[800]]). The site was the capital of a Maya [[city-state]] located near the banks of the [[San Pedro River]] in the [[Petén (department)|Department of Petén]] of northern [[Guatemala]]. El Perú is 60 km (37 miles) west of [[Tikal]].
==Etymology==
The site was named "El Perú" when rediscovered in the [[20th century]]. [[Hieroglyph]]s identified and deciphered at the site have indicated that the ancient name for the site was “Waka'.” While both names are currently used interchangeably, El Perú predominates on extant maps.
==History==
The first recorded meeting between [[Teotihuacan]] and the Maya occurred at Waka' in [[378]], 10 days prior to their arrival at Tikal. This moment is known among [[Mesoamerica]]n [[archaeologist]]s as “La Entrada.” During the early phases of the Early Classic, Waka’ was allied with Tikal.
Waka’, however, later betrayed Tikal and forged an [[alliance]] with Calakmul. This alliance was solidified by K'inich Balam (“Sun Faced Jaguar”), who ruled from the late [[7th century]] to the early [[8th century]] and was married to Lady T'abi, a [[royal family|royal]] [[princess]] from [[Calakmul]], capital of the Kan [[dynasty]] at the time. This union was a [[Arranged marriage|political maneuver]] that linked El Peru (K’inich Balam) to Calakmul and its leader [[Calakmul#Known rulers of Calakmul|Yuknom Cheen]] in a [[military]] [[alliance]]. Lady T’abi was later given the title ''ix kaloomté'' ("empress" or "war lord”), a high title used in ancient Maya [[text]]s. Yuknom Cheen was attempting to gather several Maya [[monarchy|kingdom]]s into a larger [[polity]]
Waka’s downfall was likely initiated by its alliance with Calakmul. Following Tikal’s re-emergence from its hiatus in the Late Classic, Calakmul fell to its military might. Calakmul’s ruler, likely the brother of Lady T'abi, was defeated, captured ,and [[Sacrifice in Maya culture|sacrificed]] in Tikal’s central plaza in A.D. [[732]]. Waka’ was converted into a [[vassal state]] of Tikal and eventually destroyed a decade later, an event that included the capture and sacrifice of K'inich Balam's successor.
==Recent discoveries==
A number of tombs have recently been discovered at Waka' that contribute to the understanding of past Maya culture.<ref>[http://www.mesoweb.com/reports/waka2.html Tomb finds at El Peru]</ref> One that is particularly important is the “Queen’s Tomb.” This [[feature (archaeology)|feature]] contains the remains of a female in a [[tomb]] containing a rich assortment of [[grave good]]s. Of particular importance is the presence of a [[Bloodletting rituals in Maya culture|bloodletting]] paraphernalia in the form of a [[ceremonial]] [[stingray|stingray spine]]. This object was in clear association with the individual’s [[genital]] region, and indicates that royal women practiced genitalia bloodletting [[ritual]]s.
An additional tomb for an elite individual was recently found within an 18 meter tall [[Mesoamerican pyramid|pyramid]] located in the site’s central core. The tomb’s chamber, which is 5.1 meters long by 1.5 meters wide, contained a rich [[assemblage]] of grave goods, including [[Jade use in Mesoamerica|jade offerings]], [[gastropod shell|shell]] artifacts, [[ceramic]] vessels, 12 [[Mesoamerican ballgame|ballgame player]] [[figurine]]s, the paws of [[jaguar]], and stones from the [[Geography of Mesoamerica|Eastern Highlands]] and the [[Soconusco|Pacific Lowlands]], which were used as signs of [[wealth]]. The early date of the tomb, between ca. [[200]] and [[400]], indicates Waka’s early regional importance in the southern Maya lowlands.
Finally, recent research at the site of [[Zapote Bobal]] suggests a strong connection between that site and El Perú. It is possible that El Perú may have had a strong influence on the dynasty centered at Zapote Bobal.<ref>Breuil et al. (2004).</ref>
==El Perú today==
While open to the public, Waka' is a difficult site to get to. It sits atop an [[escarpment]] in the Laguna del Tigre National Park (part of the [[Maya Biosphere Reserve]]), six kilometers north of the San Pedro River. The site can be reached via an arduous route from [[Flores]], the closest town with an airport (the [[Mundo Maya International Airport]]).
==Notes==
{{reflist|1}}
==Bibliography==
*Breuil, Véronique, Laura Gamez, James L. Fitzsimmons, Jean-Paul Metailie, Edy Barrios, and Edwin Roman (2004) Primeras noticias de Zapote Bobal, una ciudad maya clasica del norocidente de Peten, Guatemala. ''Mayab'' 17: 61-83.
==External links==
*[http://www.archaeology.org/interactive/waka/ Archaeology Magazine's Interactive Waka']
*[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/05/040506073833.htm Recent announcements from Southern Methodist University Researchers]
*[http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050606/full/050606-15.html Nature Magazine]
*[http://www.authenticmaya.com/waka.htm Description and Photo Gallery]
[[Category:Maya sites in Guatemala|Peru, El]]
[[es:El Perú (Guatemala)]]
[[he:אל פרו]]
[[sk:El Perú]]