6 Reasons Why Uxmal is Better Than Chichen Itza
- It’s location. Uxmal is located 90 minutes from Merida and about 5 hours from Cancun which is fantastic. ...
- No Crowds. Mostly because of the location, Uxmal never feels crowded. ...
- No vendors. Woo-hoo! ...
- The structure themselves. ...
- No ropes! ...
- The best espresso in the Yucatan. ...
What is the significance of Uxmal?
1996 (20th Session) Uxmal (Yucatec Maya: Óoxmáal [óˑʃmáˑl]) is an ancient Maya city of the classical period located in present-day Mexico. It is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of Maya culture, along with Palenque, Chichén, and Calakmul in Mexico, Caracol and Xunantunich in Belize, and Tikal in Guatemala.
What was Uaymil used for?
Archaeological research at the small island site of Uaymil, located to the west on the Gulf coast, suggests that it may have served as a port for Uxmal and provided the site access to the circum-peninsular trade network. Lights and Sound nightly show on Nunnery Quadrangle.
What happened to Uxmal in the Mayans?
According to Maya hieroglyphic records, however, Uxmal continued to be occupied and was a participant in the political League of Mayapán. When the league ended, Uxmal, like the other great cities of the north, was abandoned ( c. 1450).
What is the significance of the nunnery at Uxmal?
Description of the site. The Nunnery Quadrangle (a nickname given to it by the Spanish; it was a government palace) is the finest of Uxmal's several fine quadrangles of long buildings. It has elaborately carved façades on both the inside and outside faces. A large Ballcourt for playing the Mesoamerican ballgame.
See more
Why do people visit Uxmal?
Uxmal is a delightful archaeological site to explore and experience. During the rain season (May to October) the rich green fertile land provides a perfect setting for some of the most magnificent ancient pyramids, buildings, and temples of the ancient world.
What happened at Uxmal?
Most of the city's major construction took place while Uxmal was the capital of a Late Classic Maya state around 850-925 AD. After about 1000 AD, Toltec invaders took over, and most building ceased by 1100 AD. Maya chronicles say that Uxmal was founded about 500 A.D. by Hun Uitzil Chac Tutul Xiu.
Which culture took over Uxmal?
But some historians believe the construction of buildings like the grand palaces stopped because Uxmal was conquered by the rulers of Chichen Itzá in the 10th century.
When were the Uxmal ruins discovered?
The Xiu along with the Itza were the two main cultural groups of the Yucatan from the Classic period forward. There was a reoccupation of the site during the Post Classic (1200-1500 A.D.). Uxmal was first reported on by Friar Diego Lopez de Cogolludo in the 17th century.
Who made Uxmal?
Maya history known as The Books of Chilam Balam dates the foundation of Uxmal to the later 10th century A.D. Archaeological investigations and radiocarbon dating suggest that the main structures in the complex, including a series of hydraulic works, such as reservoirs for storing rainwater (the chultunoob), were built ...
How do you say Uxmal?
Phonetic spelling of uxmalux-mal.oos-mahl.Ux-mal.
Is Uxmal better than Chichen Itza?
In summary, if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy getting closer to historical artefacts, Uxmal is your best bet. But if you're aching to see a modern wonder of the world, you should go to Chichen Itza.
Who lived in Uxmal?
History of Uxmal Uxmal was abandoned around 1200AD – possibly because drought, although this is unclear – and then inhabited by the Yiu, who would later join the Mayapan League with Chichen Itza. The city existed until the Spanish Conquest of the 1550s, at which point it is believed to have been abandoned.
What is an Uxmal Pyramid?
The name Uxmal means 'thrice-built' in Mayan. This name refers to the construction of its highest structure, the Pyramid of the Magician which was built on top of existing pyramids.
How tall is the Pyramid at Uxmal?
115 feetThe accepted median height is 35 metres (115 feet), with the base measuring approximately 69 by 49 metres (227 by 162 feet). Despite the absence of an exact measurement, the pyramid remains the tallest structure at Uxmal. The Pyramid of the Magician is the most distinctive Mayan structure on the Yucatán Peninsula.
What happened to the Mayans?
What Happened to the Maya? From the late eighth through the end of the ninth century, something unknown happened to shake the Maya civilization to its foundations. One by one, the Classic cities in the southern lowlands were abandoned, and by A.D. 900, Mayan civilization in that region had collapsed.
What was the Pyramid of the Magician used for?
The Pyramid of the Magician is the first building a visitor encounters entering the ceremonial area of Uxmal, just north of the Ball Game Court and the Palace of the Governor and east of the Nunnery Quadrangle.
When were the Mayan ruins discovered?
The discovery of an ancient Maya statue deep within the jungles of Honduras, 1885.
Why are the Mayans called the Mayans?
The designation Maya comes from the ancient Yucatan city of Mayapan, the last capital of a Mayan Kingdom in the Post-Classic Period. The Maya people refer to themselves by ethnicity and language bonds such as Quiche in the south or Yucatec in the north (though there are many others).
Why was Uxmal abandoned?
Uxmal was abandoned around 1200AD – possibly because drought, although this is unclear – and then inhabited by the Yiu, who would later join the Mayapan League with Chichen Itza. The city existed until the Spanish Conquest of the 1550s, at which point it is believed to have been abandoned.
How many times was Uxmal built?
History of Uxmal. Literally meanins ‘thrice built’, Uxmal was actually constructed five times: it was first settled around 600AD and is yet more evidence of the advanced Maya engineering skills given how dry the area is.
When was Uxmal built?
Uxmal is an archaeological site in Mexico which houses the ruins of a Maya town thought to have been inhabited as early as 800BC, although the majority of the buildings and structures seen at Uxmal today were constructed in between around 700AD to 1000AD.
What to see in Uxmal
The buildings of Uxmal, an ancient Mayan city, founded in the year 700 AD, were built based on their astronomical knowledge, with the Pyramid of the Magician in the ceremonial center. This monument consists of works with elegant strokes and ornaments decorated with symbolic motifs and figurines of the god of rain.
Pyramid of the Magician
It is the largest building in the enclosure, 118 feet high, and considered the most important. It has a feature that makes it unique in the Mayan world: its oval-shaped base. This fact gives it two important faces, the one facing east and the one facing west, the more ornate of the two, with geometric elements and mosaics.
The Nunnery Quadrangle
The Nunnery Quadrangle is probably the most peculiar construction you’ll see on a Mayan site. It’s a square courtyard built on a vast platform of about 390 feet on each side. Each of the facades has different decorative elements and small rooms. On the north side, the tallest, you can see the Governor’s Palace from the top of its stairs.
Ball Game Court
As in every Mayan city, there had to be a court to practice the ball game. It’s a smooth terrain where two parallel walls rise, on which a stone ring is placed on top. Each team was arranged at one end, and the game consisted of introducing a solid rubber ball through the hoop, using only hips, elbows, and knees.
House of the Turtles
At first glance, it looks like a simple temple, which is very well preserved. The interesting thing about it is the decorations that are comprised of numerous turtle shells. Hence the name of the temple.
The Great Pyramid
With nine floors and 98 feet high, the Great Pyramid is one of the structures that has practically not been restored. This is one of the few tall Mayan buildings you can still climb.
What is the site of Uxmal?
The site of Uxmal is a dry grass savanna area, but the surrounding region is heavily forested. Water was furnished by cenotes (wells formed by sinkholes in limestone understrata) within the city or by rain-collecting pools to the west.
When was UXMal designated a World Heritage Site?
Uxmal was designated a World Heritage site in 1996. Uxmal Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. The site is the most important representative of the Puuc architectural style, which flourished in the Late Classic Period ( ad 600–900). Characteristics of the Puuc style include limestone construction, often with smooth wall surfaces;
What is the most important Puuc ceremonial centre?
Uxmal is the most important Puuc ceremonial centre and an architectural masterpiece. It has all of the characteristics of the Puuc style: facings of thin squares of limestone veneer over a cement-and-rubble core; boot-shaped vault stones; decorated cornices around columns in doorways; engaged or half-columns…. Yucatán.
What are the characteristics of Puuc style?
Characteristics of the Puuc style include limestone construction, often with smooth wall surfaces; plaster (stucco) finishes; masks and other representations of the rain god Chac (Chaac); and the prevalence of styling along horizontal lines.
What is the tallest pyramid in Uxmal?
This pyramid is the tallest in Uxmal, but it is also known as the House of the Dwarf (“Casa del Enano”) because of an ancient legend stating that it was built overnight by an enchanted dwarf who then became the city’s ruler. Pyramid of the Magician (background) and the tlachtli ball court, Uxmal, Yucatán, Mexico.
When did Uxmal abandon?
When the league ended, Uxmal, like the other great cities of the north, was abandoned ( c. 1450). Before abandonment, the ruling family of the city, like the Itzá of Chichén or the Cocom of Mayapán, was the Tutul Xiu. Pyramid of the Magician at Uxmal, Yucatán, Mexico.
Where is the Nunnery Quadrangle?
The Nunnery Quadrangle at Uxmal, Yucatán, Mexico. Stone ring on the wall of the pok-ta-pok ball court at Uxmal, Yucatán, Mexico. The Governor’s Palace (“Palacio del Gobernador”), standing farther south, is one of the most admired of pre-Columbian structures, and it is the finest example of the Puuc style.
Why You Should Visit Uxmal
The name Uxmal is Mayan for "Three times built." This comes from the main pyramid in the area, which was built on existing structures.
What Is Uxmal?
Uxmal is a historical site in the Yucatan. It was occupied by different royal families until 1450. This happened when the League of Mayapán, a political band of city-states, ended.
Where Is Uxmal Located
Uxmal is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, on the west end of the peninsula. It is 84 kilometers from Merida, and 160 from Campeche.
Notes For Visiting Uxmal
Make sure to bring enough for entry. Parking at Uxmal was 80 pesos, and 230 pesos to get into the park.
