Secrets Of Maya Ruins at Uxmal | Historic Remains Have More Stories to Tell!
The Mayan civilization, going back to almost 1000 B.C., has a rich history surrounding it. Including a specialized system of advanced hierography as well as their knowledge of astronomy, the Mayan culture offers a treasure trove of information to the interested seeker. Uxmal is a city of Maya ruins located in Mexico. Located in the Puuc region of the western Yucatán Peninsula, the origin of Uxmal runs back to 700AD. ‘Uxmal’ is believed to mean either “Thrice Built” or “Place of Three Harvests” in the Maya language. At its peak, the city contained an estimated 15,000 to 35,000 population. There are some interesting legends and stories surrounding the construction of its pyramids. Let’s dive into the details.
Architecture
Uxmal has a unique style of architecture called Pucc. It consists of buildings that have smooth low walls that open on ornate friezes based on representations of Maya huts. The columns depict the walls of the hut and trapezoidal shapes depict roofs. Engravings of entwined snakes and two-headed snakes are prominent.
These are some of the main tourist attractions at Uxmal ruins.
Architecture
Uxmal has a unique style of architecture called Pucc. It consists of buildings that have smooth low walls that open on ornate friezes based on representations of Maya huts. The columns depict the walls of the hut and trapezoidal shapes depict roofs. Engravings of entwined snakes and two-headed snakes are prominent.
These are some of the main tourist attractions at Uxmal ruins.
Pyramid of the Magician
Pyramid of the Magician has an interesting tale surrounding it. Termed Leyenda del Enano de Uxmal or The Legend of the Uxmal’s Dwarf, it states that a dwarf built the pyramid overnight. The dwarf, born to a witch from an Iguana egg, got the help of his witch mother to finish constructing the pyramid. Later, he overthrew the ruler at the time to take control of the city.
In reality, the construction of the pyramid of the magician had five stages. The initial construction dates back to 600 AD. It has a wide base of 69 by 49 meters. Its exact height is unknown but the estimates put it between 27 m to 40 m. The doorway into the temple on the top aligns with the setting sun on April 12 and August 31.
The structure was looted during the Spanish Conquest in 16th century AD. The structure went into disrepair after that. Restorations began in mid 19th century. Even though visitors are allowed on the site, they are prohibited from climbing the structure.
With its rounded sides, considerable height, steep slope, and unusual elliptical base, it remains the most distinguished Maya ruin on the Yucatan peninsula.
The Governor’s Palace
The governor’s palace is a colossal structure that is a perfect example of Pucc architecture. Built in 900 AD by Lord Chac, the governor of Uxmal at the time the structure served as a major administrative center and astronomical marker.
It consists of a stairway with three landings. The middle section rises to 19.8 meters. It joins the two lower sections by vaulted corridors. Giant Christmas-tree-shaped vaults articulate the Palace into three sections.
It faces the planet Venus, marking its importance as an astronomical observatory.
In front of the palace is a limestone sculpture representing a bicephalic Jaguar composed of two heads facing away from one another and joined at the midsection. It appears to have been the seat of Lord Chac and marks ritual space in front of the Palace. In addition, it has a lot of sculptures depicting the mask of rain god, on the palace facade.
Nunnery Quadrangle
Nunnery Quadrangle or the Quadrangle of the Nuns is four rectangular buildings with 74 individual rooms. Constructed in 900 AD, its initial inhabitants were a group of maidens. They were held in high esteem in the Uxmal society, somewhat similar to the ‘vestral virgins’ of the Roman empire.
The purpose of these maidens was to tend to the state of the temple and maintain it. Any who failed to maintain the goal was promptly executed.
The buildings themselves are a combination of different architectural styles. It has a central courtyard measuring 79 by 65 meters. The Maya ruins are decorated with figures of Lord Chac. He commissioned the building of the Nunnery at Uxmal as well.
Abandonnment of Uxmal
Though the city of Uxmal contained many politically influential Mayan structures, the city was abandoned in the 10th century AD. Though the exact reason for this is not known, historians believe it was a combination of natural phenomena including a series of draughts, which made the city uninhabitable to humans.
Restoration projects of the Maya ruins of Uxmal began in the early 19th century and are still ongoing. Much of the architecture of the city still remains unexplored, hiding its secrets from modern humans. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Also read,
