"TIKAL"

The Maya of  Tikal considered Temple I the portal to the Underworld. Ha Sawa Chaan K’awil brought Tikal back to its position of wealth and power. He lived a long life (60 to 80 years), leading a series of successful wars against his enemies and seeing Tikal return to its greatness under his reign. Yikin, his son, sealed the tomb after his father's death, before construction began on the temple. Being buried in this spot was a huge break with tradition. Before this time, for more than 500 years, all the rulers of Tikal were buried in the North Acropolis. His royal tomb included several kilos of jade, shells and pottery.

Temple 1 was built around the year 700 A.D. between the Central and the North Acropolises and faces west, toward the setting sun. It stands 45 meters high or 144.36 ft.

Ha Sawa Chaan K'awil was almost 6 ft. tall and his body was left under Temple I after his death with a richly adorned burial, which was excavated by archaeologist Aubrey Trik in 1962. The temple complex may represent the Full Cycle of Life itself.

This image was taken looking east from Temple II, which you are allowed to climb up.

Photo:  Chris Chafer (sandpiper).

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Central_America/Guatemala/North/Peten/Tikal/photo1092425.htm