Quirigua (Parque Arqueológico y Ruinas de Quiriguá)

Quiriguá is an ancient Maya archaeological site in southeastern Guatemala's Izabal department, situated along the lower Motagua River [1]. The medium-sized site covers approximately 3 square kilometres, with its ceremonial center about 1 kilometre from the north bank [1]. During the Maya Classic Period (AD 200–900), Quiriguá was positioned at the intersection of major trade routes [1]. The site was occupied by 200 AD, and construction on the acropolis had begun by about 550 AD [1]. An explosion of grander construction occurred in the 8th century, with all construction halting by about 850 AD, except for a brief reoccupation in the Early Postclassic period [1]. Quiriguá shares its architectural and sculptural styles with the nearby Classic Period city of Copán, with whose history it is closely entwined [1].