Explore Mirador ::: What is Mirador?

Mirador is the largest and oldest Preclassic Mayan site located in the Maya Biosphere Reserve in the Peten, Guatemala. This area is home to earliest and largest Preclassic Maya sites in Mesoamerica. There are many ancient cities and sites in the area including El Mirador, Nakbe, Xulnal, Wakna and Tintal.

The existence of Mirador was first realized in the 1920´s but archaeological studies did not commence until 1978. Since 1989, Dr. Richard Hansen has been leading the restoration and research at Mirador. The archaeological work done by Hansen and his colleagues has changed the belief that the Preclassic era was primitive when compared with the classic and post classic eras. In some ways the Preclassic era may have surpassed the classic era. For example the size and scale of the monumental architecture was never matched in later times. In addition to the monumental architecture other evidence indicates that complex economic, social and political systems were highly developed in the Preclassic era.

Evidence uncovered in Mirador shows that the pre-classic Maya developed causeways between Mirador’s cities, water management systems, complex agricultural techniques and far-reaching trade relationships. Mirador is also home to the earliest examples of monuments with hieroglyphic texts found in the Guatemalan lowlands.

Some great examples of monumental architecture found in Mirador are La Danta and Structure 34.

La Danta pyramid is 70 meters high and covers an area of 44.5 acres. It is not the tallest pyramid built in the Late Preclassic period but it has the largest volume of any pyramid built in this time period. La Danta rises above its lowermost platform in three stages.

La Danta is in the process of being restored and as you explore the pyramid you will see first hand the restoration and preservation techniques that are used.

Structure 34 is the most thoroughly investigated building at Mirador. This structure is known for the stucco mask and jaguar paw that flank the steps. It has been postulated by Dr. Richard Hansen that these are the symbols of the Mayan king Great Fiery Jaguar Paw and that the iconography may indicate that he was buried here.

The ruins themselves are found within the Maya Biosphere reserve, a protected area that spans over 525,000 acres in the Peten region of Guatemala. This area, known as the Maya Forest is the northernmost tropical forest in the Western Hemisphere. The Maya Forest is virtually untouched and contains an incredibly diverse population of plants and animals.

The diversity of the flora and fauna found in Mirador is partly explained by the fact that there are five different forest types found in there: High Canopy Forest, Palm Forest, Ramonal Forest, Tintal Forest and The Bajos. These forests range from the lushness of the High Canopy, the orchid filled Tintal and the grassy and wet Bajo.

You will see a wide variety of vegetation on your trip to Mirador. There are the breathtaking Ceiba tree that can reach heights of 30 meters and the Copal, equally high, that is famous for the pleasant fragrance that it emits. Your guide will likely search out Allspice and make a delicious tea to enjoy after a meal.

The fauna of Mirador is another great attraction. Although you will not see or hear all of them Mirador is home to many different types of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates.

You will surely see Spider monkeys. These social animals are normally as curious about you as you are about them. They are not shy and will watch down at you or play with there companions in the trees for you to watch. Spider monkeys. The Spider monkey is currently classified as a vulnerable species. Requiring large tracts of land, the spider monkey is threatened by deforestation. In addition, the spider monkey has slow reproduction rates that further compromises there status.

Less seen but constantly heard is the black howler monkey. You will hear its loud howls throughout your time in Mirador. Howler monkeys are very slow animals and spend a significant amount of there time resting. The howler monkey is threatened by hunting, for food, and loss of habitat.

One of the birds you will likely see is the rainbow-billed toucan. This bird is the national bird of Belize. Toucans are social and playful birds. One of the best places to watch them is from a high point, such as one of the temples of Mirador, because they prefer high branches of trees and rarely come to the forest floor.