This archeologic zone has been orientated with the first light of the shorter day of year. The ground to play ball game is located in the lowest area. That game was very important within the mayan culture, it was more than a simple game, was a rite, a ceremony. Ground was believed as a link among life and death. Tonina was built by cycles. All buildings are distributed on seven platforms which have different architectonic characteristics. There were three dinasties whom had the power of Tonina. This city got its whole splendour among VII th and early X th centuries after J. C. when other mayan cities such as Palenque, Bonampak and Yaxchilan had been abandoned by their inhabitants. It is thought this old mayan city was the most important site all around Ocosingo´s valley, people from other populations used to come here to pay taxes.
An important feature of this city is the ever-changing architecture. In Tonina last constructions used to be destroyed and the new ones arose over the firsts´ ruins; thus, a new cycle began.
Tonina in the beginning of XX th century
