Quiriguá

archaeological site, Guatemala

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July 13, 2026

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Quiriguá is an archaeological site located in the lower Motagua valley of Guatemala. It is part of the Mesoamerican region, which encompasses parts of Mexico and Central America that were urbanized before Spanish arrival.12

The site is associated with the Maya civilization, which flourished in the highlands of Guatemala and El Salvador after 500 BCE. Major Mayan cities, characterized by temples, pyramids, and markets, arose in the Petén region of northern Guatemala, as well as in Belize and Honduras. Quiriguá is noted for its stelae, which are carved stone monuments that recorded history and depicted mythological scenes. These stelae are of particular interest for understanding Late Formative religious concepts. The site is a significant tourist destination in Guatemala.321

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pre-Columbian civilizations
Major sites
Quiriguá is a much smaller site 30 miles north of Copán. While its architectural remains are on a minor scale, it is noted for its gigantic stelae and altars carved from sandstone.
Read More
Quiriguá is a much smaller site 30 miles north of Copán. While its architectural remains are on a minor scale, it is noted for its gigantic stelae and altars carved from sandstone.
Read More