KaminalJuyu, Guatemala, Tour
Pictures And Photos

George And Audrey DeLange

Kaminaljuyú, pronounced "KAH mee nahl hoo yoo". This site was first reported by Alfred P. Maudsley in the late nineteenth century. Much of the site has been covered by modern day Guatemala City, but part of it still remains as mounds. Most items recovered from the site are at the museums, including the Museo Popol Vuh. There are many buildings and all were made of adobe, many have been destroyed by encroaching neighborhoods. What remains is enclosed in a park. Some of the remaining site has been excavated and it is worth visiting. It is under a tin roof protected area and you can visit the area for a small fee. It does not make dramatic impression like Tikal does, but it is worth the visit to look at the mounds of this ancient Pre-Classic Ruins in Guatemala City. This site dates back possibly to the early Preclassic period (800 BCE-300 CE), but by its end, the city was abandoned. During the Early Classic (300-600CE), it became a major center and soon came under the influence of Teotihuacan and remained so until around the end of that era. The city has been described by some as a miniature Teotihuacán and it clearly had ties to that city so far to the north. In fact, it was abandoned at about the same time that Teotihuacan collapsed. A new museum has opened called the Museo Miraflores. They have wonderful displays dedicated to the city of Kaminaljuyú. The museum is certainly worth the visit. We arranged a tour through Clark Tours for a half day. It was certainly worth the price.