Tikal was a major city and ceremonial site of the Ancient Mayan civilization. It was also an urban centre in the southern Maya lowlands which stood 30 kilometres north of Lake Peten ltza. Today, this place is in the archaeological region of Peten in northern Guatemala.
Historically, Tikal was first developed as a small village during 900-300 BC. With the construction of pyramids and temples, it later became a ceremonial centre. It was also an important point in the trading network that had been established in Southern Mexico and Central America by the central Mexican city of Teotihuacan.
However, the city reached its greatness during AD 600 when palaces, pyramids and plazas were built. This was also the time when Mayan art flourished in sculpture, monumental and vase painting. The city reached its architectural and artistic peak between AD 600 and 800, after which it saw a steep decline. Population fell and so did its art. By the 10th century, Tikal was abandoned.
The Tikal Project of the University of Pennsylvania recorded over 200 monuments at the site.