Introduction
Tikal is a jewel in the crown of pre-Columbian Maya heritage. This immense structure dates back as far as the 4th century BC, its tiered sides typical of ancient Maya architecture. This site was once at the heart of one of the most powerful Mayan Kingdoms in the Americas, something that becomes apparent from the sheer scale of the ruins.
Today this discovery is protected within the borders of the Tikal National Park, allowing archaeologists to continue their work on the site, some of which remains unexcavated to this day. This protected land has also helped to preserve the Maya Biosphere Reserve, allowing the ecosystem to flourish and supporting a wide variety tropical wildlife.
