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El Peru is a Maya archaeological site that existed in the pre-Columbian era. It was occupied in the pre- classical and Classical periods between 500 BC to 800 AD. It was the capital of a Maya city-state which was located near the banks of the San Pedro River. It is situated 60 km west of Tikal. It is also known as Waka.
El Peru was rediscovered in 20th century. This is the place where the first recorded meeting between the Teotihuacan and the Maya. Waka of Peru was allied to Tikal in the early days but it later betrayed Tikal and get allied to Calakmul. This strong political move linked El Peru to the Calakmul.
However it is the alliance with Calakmul that bring El Peru's down fall. Calakmul fell to the military fight of Tikal. Its ruler was defeated and sacrificed in the central plaza of Tikal in 732 AD. Tikal converted Waka to its vassal state. El Peru was destroyed a decade later. This event was marked by the capture and sacrifice of K'inich Balam's successor.
Many tombs are found at El Perurecently. The "Queen's Tomb" is very important. The grave goods and bloodletting paraphernalia indicate that the royal women practiced genitalia bloodletting rituals. Another tomb of an elite individual has got jade offering, shell artificial, ceramic vessels, ballgame player figurines, the paws of jaguar, precious stones etc.
El Peru though an interesting site is quite hard to get to.
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