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Walking Tours of Archaeological Sites

Archaeological Site Walking Tours

By , About.com Guide

This collection of walking tours of archaeological sites are photo essays of site highlights, describing the latest information understood by scholars for some of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Walking tours are perfect for people who are planning on visiting a site, just returned and have some questions, or can't go but want to see what the fuss is all about.

Chichimec Capital of Tenayuca (Mexico)

Stone Sculpture of Coiled Xiuhcoatl (Fire Serpent) at Tenayuca© Andrew Turner
Tenayuca was an ancient capital of the Chichimec people, beginning in the 12th century AD. Its remarkable architecture was innovative in its day, and, despite the conquering efforts of both Aztec and Spanish forces, much of that architecture is restored and visible to visitors today.

A Walking Tour of Comalcalco

Close Up of Brick with Modeled Lizard from ComalcalcoArianna Campiani
Comalcalco is a Maya site in Tabasco state, where its well-preserved, unique adobe brick architecture has preserved a detailed record of all kinds of aspects of Maya life, from plants and animals to clothing and perishable parts of buildings. The site should be part of the itinerary of any western Gulf Coast vacationer, only 40 miles from the capital of Villahermosa.

The Maya Murals at Bonampak

The Classic Maya site of Bonampak in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, is best known for its glorious mural paintings. The murals cover the walls of three rooms in a small building on the first terrace of Bonampak’s acropolis.

Monte Alban Walking Tour

Building J at Monte AlbanNicoletta Maestri

Monte Albán was the capital of the Zapotec civilization, and it is among the most fascinating cities of the Americas. This photo essay highlights some of the most interesting structures of this city, built beginning 500 BC.

Acanceh Walking Tour

Large Stucco Mask at AcancehArianna Campiani

Acanceh is a small Mayan site in the Yucatán peninsula, about 15 miles southeast of Merida. The ancient site is now covered by the modern town of the same name. It is best known for the Palace of the Stuccoes, a building with elaborate painted frescoes.

Calakmul Walking Tour

Scene from Sub 1-4 in Chiik Nahb complex at CalakmulCopyright, PNAS.

Calakmul is an ancient Mayan archaeological site, located in state of Campeche, Mexico, thirty kilometers north of the Guatemala border. Calakmul is also 38 km north of El Mirador, a rival state during the Late Classic period (~600-950 AD)

Palenque Walking Tour

Palenque is a famous Classic Maya site in the lush tropical forest of Chiapas, Mexico. The site is known for its elegant temples and buildings emerging from the green forest, the large number of carved monuments and stucco reliefs, as well as the impressive findings of royal tombs and offering, among which the famous Tomb of Pakal the Great, and the Tomb of the Red Queen (Reina Roja).

Mayapan Walking Tour

The archaeological site of Mayapan is a “must-see” if you are visiting the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. The archaeological zone is located about 26 miles south of Merida, the capital of Yucatan.

A Ramble around Teotihuacán with Dick Diehl

From about AD 300-550, the ancient city of Teotihuacán in Mexico had its heyday had a population somewhere between about 125,000—200,000 people. Only a bit of its massive city ruins have been excavated: but even so 3 million visitors come to see it each year. In this walking tour, archaeologist Dick Diehl tells us a bit about the city and its famous Sun and Moon Pyramids.

Ancient Egypt's Giza Plateau Pyramids

A photographic introduction to the four main buildings on the Giza Plateau: Khufu's Pyramid, Khafre's Pyramid, Menkares' Pyramid, and the Sphinx.

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