Piedras Negras

Located on the north bank of the Usumacinta River in Petén, northwestern Guatemala, Piedras Negras (Maya name Yo'k'ib') was one of the most powerful ancient Maya urban centers of the Usumacinta region. Occupied from the Late Preclassic period (c. 500 BC) through the 10th century AD, the site is renowned for its exceptional sculptural output—more abundant than at most other Maya cities. Archaeological evidence from numerous stelae and altars has enabled detailed reconstruction of the city's political history and elite biographies [1][2].