Uaxactun is an ancient Mayan city located in present-day Guatemala. It was one of the longest continually occupied Mayan sites and flourished from the Middle Preclassic period (around 900-600 BC) until the Late Classic period (around 600-900 AD).
The city is known for its impressive architectural structures, including temples, palaces, ball courts, and residential areas. It was an important political and religious center, playing a significant role in the Classic Maya civilization.
Uaxactun is particularly famous for its astronomical observatory, called "Structure E-VII-sub." This structure was used by the Maya to observe celestial events, such as solstices and equinoxes. The accuracy of its astronomical observations is considered remarkable for the time period.
The city was abandoned by the Maya during the Terminal Classic period (around 900-1200 AD) and its ruins were rediscovered in the late 19th century. Today, Uaxactun is a popular archaeological site visited by tourists interested in exploring Mayan history and culture.