Tonina, Chiapas, Mexico Tour Or Travel
Pictures And Photos Page One

George And Audrey DeLange

Toniná, a Mayan ruin just outside of Ocosingo, a couple of hours' drive from San Cristóbal in the state of Chiapas. The center of Tonina is built on the side of a large hill in seven terraces producing the overall effect of a stepped pyramid. Numerous chambers and passageways exist and there are several buildings located in front of the main complex which may have been used in conjunction with structures on the main buildings. A map of Tonina is on the next page. Tonina is nestled at a 2,950 feet elevation and one can often see the clouds roll in and stand above them at this lofty site. Tonina is thought to have been built by an astronomical society, the area belongs to the lowland tradition. It is believed that Toniná formed into an organized settlement around 300 A.D, and the the height of its development occurred between 600 and 900 A.D. The site is dominated by a terraced Acropolis with a number of temple platforms surrounded by plazas, ball courts and several other smaller structures. Within the Acropolis is the Frieze of the Dream Lords, a large 16 x 4 meter stucco wall on which are depicted many other-worldly creatures corresponding to the rulers of Toniná, the Palace of the Flowered Throne and the stone relief at the Temple of the Earth Monster. At the foot of the Acropolis lies a structure riddled with small rooms and passageways called the Palace of the Underworld. The following description is translated from a sign at the Site Of Tonina. Named by indigenous people in Tzeltal, Toniná means the House of Stone. Metaphorically, the name refers to the home of celestial lights and deities of time: Toniná was a site of calendars and rituals. Iconography of this site is representative of two eras, which are clearly identified by references to particular deities: the first and oldest period, from 300 to 700 AD, was responsible for portrayals of birds belonging to the underworld and was governed by deceased and flayed suns. The second epoch, from 700 to 900 AD, is marked by celestial lights and felines, as well as the morning and evening stars. In the height of its glory, around 900 AD, Toniná's pyramidal structure was composed of seven platforms and was crowned by thirteen temples; a central stairway, leading to the Temple of Smoking Mirror, reaches a total of 260 steps. Palaces inhabited by Toniná's dynastic families (including military heads, architects, priests and astronomers) were constructed in the eastern portion of the acropolis. This area was lavishly decorated, in contrast with the acropolis' western section, where construction workers and warriors lived in austere dwellings. From the four temples of the seventh platform, priests and nobles managed the four regions of the sky, fought battles against darkness and maintained order regarding celestial phenomena. At first we thought we could photograph all of Tonina. Bad idea, it is just too large and interesting! There are many plazas, temples, courts, and other nooks and crannies. Our photos were taken on January 31, 2004 between 2-5 PM.