Aguacateca
In the middle of a subtropical forest 15 kilometers away from Sayaxche, Peten; emerges Aguacateca. Aguacateca is a Mayan city built in the Classic Mayan Period. It has structures, stelaes, benches and hillocks where there are more Mayan Ruins. Some of the ruins show charred parts which tell the story of what happened to this place. Aguacateca received its name because it is located on the shores of the Aguacateca River. Aguacateca became one of the most important cities of the Early Classic Mayan Period between the years 600 to 700 DC. This Mayan city was a twin city with Dos Pilas and both of them dominated an ample territory. Both cities had emblems resembling that of Tikal.
The history of this place has become known thaks to the investigations of archeologist such as Ian Graham in the 60’s, Stephen Houston in the 80’s and Takeshi Inomata in 1993. Aguacateca was fortified in the VIII century due to wars but despite of its fortification it was taken and reduced to ruins by its enemies. Many structures were burnt and its inhabitants were expelled. Because of all this, it is thought that this city had a tragic end. Visiting Aguacateca is an adventure in itself because it can only be reached by water.
