THE HIGHLANDS OF CHIAPAS (8)Tonina was an independent Mayan city state that flourished between A.D.500 and 800. Like the other Mayan cities of the Classic Period it went into decline around A.D. 800. Archaeologists have long wondered why the Mayan civilization mysteriously and suddenly declined. Now that they have deciphered the Mayan hieroglyphics and have much more information on their history, the most accepted theory is that the Mayan civilization collapsed because of the constant warfare between city states. We used to think of the Mayas as a peaceful people. But now that the inscriptions on their monuments can be read, we know that warfare was necessary in order to obtain captives for human sacrifices.

For all of their architectural genius, the Mayas never developed the true arch. They employed the false or corbelled arch, seen here, in their constructions.
 

The unusual, zig-zag, x shape design on this wall may have represented Kulkulcan, the feathered-serpent god.
 

A carving of the "earth monster" adorns one of the temple walls.
 

A beautiful view from the topmost level of the ruins of Tonina.