Witzna
Encyclopedia
Witzna is a mid-sized archaeological site of the pre-Columbian
Maya civilization
, situated in the Petén Basin
region of what is now northern Guatemala
. Significant occupancy is dated to the Classic period of Mesoamerican chronology
.
It is located near the confluence of the Holmul
and Ixcanrío Rivers, rivers, near the site of Chanchich II.
The site's main center (dubbed the "Acropolis") contains several "palace" structures (two of which are 2 storeys high), stepped-pyramid "temples" and a ballcourt
. A causeway joins this complex with the "Sculptures Complex", to the west. There are 3 stelae and 2 altars. The main residential area is at the eastern side of the site.
Pre-Columbian
The pre-Columbian era incorporates all period subdivisions in the history and prehistory of the Americas before the appearance of significant European influences on the American continents, spanning the time of the original settlement in the Upper Paleolithic period to European colonization during...
Maya civilization
Maya civilization
The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period The Maya is a Mesoamerican...
, situated in the Petén Basin
Petén Basin
The Petén Basin is a geographical subregion of Mesoamerica, located in the northern portion of the modern-day nation of Guatemala, and essentially contained within the department of El Petén...
region of what is now northern Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
. Significant occupancy is dated to the Classic period of Mesoamerican chronology
Mesoamerican chronology
Mesoamerican chronology divides the history of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica into several periods: the Paleo-Indian , the Archaic , the Preclassic , the Classic , and the Postclassic...
.
It is located near the confluence of the Holmul
Holmul River (Guatemala)
The Holmul River is a river in northeastern Guatemala, that flows through the Petén Basin region in the departamento of El Petén towards the border with Belize. A number of significant pre-Columbian Maya sites lie along or near the course of this waterway, including Tikal, Nakum, Holmul, Naranjo,...
and Ixcanrío Rivers, rivers, near the site of Chanchich II.
The site's main center (dubbed the "Acropolis") contains several "palace" structures (two of which are 2 storeys high), stepped-pyramid "temples" and a ballcourt
Mesoamerican ballcourt
A Mesoamerican ballcourt is a large masonry structure of a type used in Mesoamerica for over 2,700 years to play the Mesoamerican ballgame, particularly the hip-ball version of the ballgame. Over 1,300 ballcourts have been identified, 60% in the last 20 years alone...
. A causeway joins this complex with the "Sculptures Complex", to the west. There are 3 stelae and 2 altars. The main residential area is at the eastern side of the site.