Lost city deep in the rainforest
El Peten, Guatemala
An expansive pre-Classic Mayan city, El Mirador is one of the best examples of the architectural achievements of the Mayan civilization. Covered in thick vegetation, with trees sprouting from the rocky ruins, it is located in a remote area, which is a challenge to get to.
Background
Over 2,000 years old, it is believed that the city thrived between 150 B.C. and 150 A.D. Being a major Mayan trade centre, it is larger in size than other sites in the surrounding area.
The centre of the ancient city is constructed of civic buildings and complexes for religious purposes and besides being a trading centre, El Mirador was also a strong political and economic power in its time. With the help of the Mirador Basin Project, the site is gradually becoming more accessible and less cluttered with overgrown plant life.