El Ceibal , also known as Ceibal (or Seibal , in English and German), is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization 's Classic Period , located along the Pasión River in the department of Petén in Guatemala . It was the largest Mayan city basin Pasión River .
Its population occupation dates back to Preclassic Period and extends to the Terminal Classic , with a significant hiatus. The main phase of occupation dates from the Late Preclassic (400 a. C. - 200 d. C. ) , and was followed by a population decline in the Early Classic period (200-600 d. C.) .
Ceibal experienced a significant recovery in the Terminal Classic, immediately before final abandonment, reaching its second peak around 830 to 890 d. C. with a population estimated at 8,000 to 10,000 inhabitants. dates engraved on the steles of Ceibal are unusually late, and still dedicated monuments after the Classic Maya collapse had engulfed most of the Peten region . Many of the monuments of Ceibal late show artistic influence from central Mexico and the coastal region of the Gulf of Mexico .
After the catastrophic defeat that the city suffered in the year 735 by Dos Pilas , near the capital of the kingdom of Petexbatún , and the consequent destruction of sculpted monuments, also missed the early history of the site. Ceibal was reduced to a vassal stateto the destruction of the kingdom of Petexbatun late eighth century. With the advent ofWat'ul Chatel from Ucanal , located to the east, a new elite moved to Ceibal in 830 d. C., revitalizing the site and allowing it to stay blooming until early tenth century, beyond theMaya collapse had engulfed most of the region
