Brief History of Tonina
The fragmented history of Tonina has been gleaned from its scattered and broken monuments, which suggest it was among the most powerful cities of the Maya.
Temple of the Earth Monster at Tonina
Although badly ruined, the Temple of the Earth Monster’s altar still reveals a mysterious beast that may represent the sacred lineage of Tonina’s rulers.
Frieze of the Bird Dancers at Tonina
The Frieze of the Bird Dancers portrays two men dressed in magnificent feathered outfits ambiguously posed to look like ballplayers in the throes of dance
Palacio de las Grecas
The huge stepped fret motifs found on Tonina’s Palacio de las Grecas remain a mystery, however they were probably designed to broadcast the city’s belief in a lifecycle, or spiral, of violence and death.
Tonina: Palace of the Underworld
Serving a dark ritual purpose, the eerie Palace of the Underworld is a mysterious labyrinth of 11 passageways that weave beneath Tonina’s pyramid acropolis.
Tonina: Frieze of the Dream Lords
Discovered as recently as 1990, the huge Frieze of the Four Eras depicts some fantastical other-worldly processes, which leaves much to the imagination.
Tonina: The Great Plaza
The Great Plaza at Tonina is the first area you enter, before ascending 7 levels to the heavens. Here on Platform 1 though, things are still very much in the depths of the underworld.
Tonina
The Maya city of Tonina is a fascinating puzzle. At its heart, a 72m pyramid rises to the heavens encoded with symbolism and covered in mysterious temples.