Witzna

Witzna is a mid-sized archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, situated in the Petén Basin region of what is now northern Guatemala [1]. Inscriptions discovered on site indicate that the city was known to the ancient Mayans as Bahlam Jol [1]. Significant occupancy is dated to the Classic period of Mesoamerican chronology [1]. It is located near the confluence of the Holmul and Ixcán Rivers, near the site of Chanchich II [1]. The site's main center contains several palaces, stepped-pyramid "temples" and a ballcourt [1]. Archaeological evidence shows that a large fire destroyed much of the city at the end of the 7th century, which corresponds to a hieroglyphic account in nearby Naranjo describing the burning of a rebellious vassal city named Bahlam Jol dated to 21 May 697 CE [1]. This event caused a significant decline in the population of the city, with many of its inhabitants likely enslaved or taken prisoner by Naranjo [1]. The city was rebuilt during the early 700s CE, though less prominent and more sparsely populated than before [1].