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At the ends of the plaza are huge temples. The Temple of the Great Jaguar, or Temple I, guards one end, and Temple II watches over the other. Of these, the Temple of the Great Jaguar is a little taller, but the two were originally the same height. Both were buit around the year 700 by order of King Ah Cacao, whose tomb was found inside Temple I.
A third temple, the Temple of the Jaguar Priest, is off the main plaza. Newer than the others, it is named for its elaborate carved lintel showing a man adorned in a jaguar skin. At the far side of the site is Temple of the Double-Headed Serpent.
Of great interest to archaeologists is the Temple of the Inscriptions. Set apart from the rest of the compound, its roof decoration shows the longest hieroglyphic record from the Maya that has yet been found. The inscriptions have not been deciphered. It is assumed that the temple was built at the height of the Classic Period, but the inscription was added later.
The largest pyramid at Tikal is part of the famous el Mundo Perdido (”Lost World”). The monument, more than 100 feet high, seems to have aided in planetary measurements. In the nearby Plaza of Seven Temples, a palace with five doors from the Pre-Classic period was used as a foundation for later building.
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