Mayan Kids » Uxmal

Uxmal – Palacio del Gobernador

mayankid — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:01:15 +0000

Uxmal is a large pre-Columbian ruined city of the Maya civilization in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. It is 78 km south of Mérida, Yucatán

Uxmal is pronounced “Oosh-mahl”. The place name is Pre-Columbian and it is usually assumed to be a Maya language phrase meaning “Built Three Times”

When discovered, Uxmal was in better condition than many other Maya sites thanks to being very well built.

Much was built with well cut stones set into concrete to hold the building together. The Maya architecture here is considered matched only by that of Palenque in elegance and beauty. The architecture is the Puuc style.

Some of the more noteworthy buildings include:

The Governor’s Palace, a long low building atop a huge platform, with the longest façades in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

The Adivino or Pyramid of the Magician, a fine pyramid temple unusual. The layers of the step pyramid are oval, rather than the usual rectangular shape. It was a common to build new pyramids over older ones, but here a newer pyramid was built slightly east of the older pyramid,. On the west side the old temple is preserved, with the newer temple above it.

The Nunnery Quadrangle is the finest of Uxmal’s several fine long buildings with elaborately carved façades

A large Ballcourt for playing the Mesoamerican ballgame, which an inscription indicating it was dedicated in 901 by the ruler Chan Chak K’ak’nal Ajaw, also known as Lord Chac.

Oother temple-pyramids include House of the Birds, House of the Turtles, Grand Pyramid, House of the Doves,

The majority of hieroglyphic inscriptions are on a series of stone stelae unusually grouped together on one platform. The stelae carvings show the ancient rulers of the city.

Uxmal – Palacio del Gobernador, originally uploaded by Jahmarcos.

Uxmal

mayankid — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:41 +0000

DSC_0019, originally uploaded by Adam_d_.

Uxmal Yucatan, Mexico

mayankid — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:59:36 +0000

Uxmal Yucatan, Mexico, originally uploaded by Esparta.

Uxmal Yucatan, Mexico

mayankid — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:58:45 +0000

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Uxmal Yucatan, Mexico, originally uploaded by Esparta.

Arco Maya, Uxmal

mayankid — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:58:19 +0000

Arco Maya, originally uploaded by sancho_panza.

Uxmal Yucatan

mayankid — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:57:35 +0000

Uxmal Yucatan, originally uploaded by Esparta.

Uxmal

mayankid — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 05:06:18 +0000

Uxmal is one of the most well known of the Maya cities, and rated by many archaeologists as the finest. There is also a small museum and auditorium. There’s an admission fee of around $4 and a further fee for the sound and light show. All the sites are free on Sundays
From Mérida, follow the 261 in the direction of Campeche. The site is about 70 miles from Mérida and it should take about an hour by car. Background — The name Uxmal means ‘thrice-built’ in Mayan, referring to the construction of its highest structure, the Pyramid of the Magician. More on Mayan Kids…

Uxmal, originally uploaded by Carlo Tancredi.

Uxmal

mayankid — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 02:09:47 +0000

Uxmal is ancient city in the north Yucatán peninsula of Mexico. A Late Classic period Maya center, Uxmal flourished between 600 and 900. The site has several fine examples of Mayan architecture, including the Nunnery, with elaborate stone mosaic friezes; the Governor’s Palace, with some 20,000 carved stone elements and the Pyramid of the Magician. Uxmal Pronounced “oosh-mawl,” Uxmal was one of the greatest Maya cities. More on Mayan Kids…

The Nunnery is thought to have been a school of some sort, either for the military or the children of the elite classes. Southwest of the pyramid, is the Governor’s Palace, the largest and fanciest structure in Uxmal. The intricate stonework and the 320 foot long mosaic facade of the palace make the building the most beautiful of Uxmal. The Palace’s main door was placed in perfect alignment with Venus. Another large structure on the site is the Great Pyramid.

At Uxmal, the Pyramid of the Magician is 90 feet tall

The Palace of the Governor – Regarded by many experts as the best example of Puuc architecture in existence, the Palace of the Governor stands on an raised platform and is thought to be one of the last constructed building on the site (around 980 AD). The structure has a typical plain lower section and a richly carved upper. Carvings include serpents, lattices and masks and a central seated god-like figure with a long plumed head- dress.
House of the Turtles — Next to the Palace of the Governor and on the same raised platform stands the House of the Turtles. Turtles were carved around the cornice. It was believed that turtles suffered with man at times of drought and would also pray to Chac for rain.

The Great Pyramid — Originally nine levels high, the Great Pyramid has been partially restored.

Uxmal is one of the most well known of the Maya cities, and rated by many archaeologists as the finest.

Uxmal, originally uploaded by Mexicanwave.

Uxmal Mayan Ruins, Yucatan, Mexico

mayankid — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 02:07:51 +0000

Uxmal Mayan Ruins, Yucatan, Mexico, originally uploaded by Jason’s Travel Photography.

El Adivino

mayankid — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:53:54 +0000

El Adivino, originally uploaded by gonzaloh.

Uxmal, Yucatán, México

Magician’s Pyramid at Uxmal, Mexico

mayankid — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:27:31 +0000

Magician’s Pyramid at Uxmal, Mexico, originally uploaded by technicle.

Uxmal Geometrics

realfairies — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:25:41 +0000

uxmal geometrics, originally uploaded by suttonhoo.

Uxmal

mayankid — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:18:12 +0000

Uxmal, originally uploaded by yvan h.

Uxmal Pyramid -

mayankid — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:31:31 +0000

Uxmal Pyramid

Originally uploaded by Jungle_Boy