Tourists Visiting Tikal During Maya Celebrations Damage Ruins

Tourists In Town For So-Called 'Maya Apocalypse' Wreack Havoc On Ruins
People wait for the beginning of the celebrations marking the end of the Mayan age, December 20, 2012 at the Tikal archaeological site, Peten departament, 560 kms north of Guatemala City. Ceremonies are being held to celebrate the end of the Mayan cycle known as Bak'tun 13 and the start of the new Maya Era on December 21. AFP PHOTO/Hector RETAMAL (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
People wait for the beginning of the celebrations marking the end of the Mayan age, December 20, 2012 at the Tikal archaeological site, Peten departament, 560 kms north of Guatemala City. Ceremonies are being held to celebrate the end of the Mayan cycle known as Bak'tun 13 and the start of the new Maya Era on December 21. AFP PHOTO/Hector RETAMAL (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)

The so-called Mayan Apocalypse didn’t occur, but an ancient temple nearly met its end.

Tourists in Guatemala for “end of the world” parties last week have damaged an ancient stone pyramid at Tikal, noted as the largest archeological site of the ancient Mayan civilization.

Before You Go

Tikal, Guatemala

Maya Celebrations Across Latin America

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot