Tak’alik Ab’aj, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Guatemala inscribed in September 2023, is an ancient archaeological park in Retalhuleu, thriving from the 9th century BCE to the 10th century CE. Located along the Pacific coast, this key trade hub blends Olmec and Maya influences, featuring over 240 monuments like stelae, a possible colossal head, and early hieroglyphs across four terraced groups. Recognized as Guatemala’s fourth UNESCO site, it showcases 1,700 years of cultural transition, urban planning, and artistic heritage, offering a vital glimpse into Mesoamerica’s pre-Columbian history.

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