World Heritage Identification Number: 1663
World Heritage since: 2023
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇬🇹 Guatemala
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
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Exploring the Ancient History of National Archaeological Park Tak’alik Ab’aj
The National Archaeological Park Tak’alik Ab’aj, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural history of Guatemala. Located on the Pacific Coast, this archaeological site spans over 1,700 years, providing valuable insights into the transition from the Olmec civilization to the emergence of Early Mayan culture.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Tak’alik Ab’aj is an archaeological site located on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala. Its 1,700-year history spans a period that saw the transition from the Olmec civilization to the emergence of Early Mayan culture. Tak’alik Ab’aj had a primary role in this transition, in part because it was vital to the long-distance trade route that connected the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in today's Mexico to present-day El Salvador. Ideas and customs were shared extensively along this route. Sacred spaces and buildings were laid out according to cosmological principles, and innovative water management systems, ceramics, and lapidary art can be found. Today, Indigenous groups of different affiliations still consider the site a sacred place and visit it to perform rituals.Encyclopedia Record: Takalik Abaj
Tak'alik Ab'aj is a pre-Columbian archaeological site in Guatemala. It was formerly known as Abaj Takalik; its ancient name may have been Kooja. It is one of several Mesoamerican sites with both Olmec and Maya features. The site flourished in the Preclassic and Classic periods, from the 9th century BC through to at least the 10th century AD, and was an important centre of commerce, trading with Kaminaljuyu and Chocolá. Investigations have revealed that it is one of the largest sites with sculptured monuments on the Pacific coastal plain. Olmec-style sculptures include a possible colossal head, petroglyphs and others. The site has one of the greatest concentrations of Olmec-style sculpture outside of the Gulf of Mexico, and was made a World Heritage Site in 2023 because of its long history of occupation.Additional Site Details
Area: 15.38 hectares
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
Coordinates: 14.6386111111 , -91.7325
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© Vice ministry of Cultural and Natural Heritage. Used with permission.
