MEXICO: The Ancient Maya City of Uxmal

Uxmal, in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula, was an ancient Maya city.

Founded around 600 AD, Uxmal thrived during a time when the Maya civilization was at its height. 

The city served as a hub of commerce, religion and governance.

The city likely had a population of around 20,000 people at its peak.

The city’s intricate carvings, grand structures, and spiritual symbolism show the Maya's deep connection to astronomy and nature.

Uxmal is one of the best-preserved Maya cities and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Pyramid of the Magician, Uxmal’s most iconic structure, is unusual with rounded sides and an elliptical base. 

It was constructed in phases, with each phase marking a new stage in Uxmal’s growth and cultural development.

Uxmal’s unique Puuc architecture is characterized by smooth, low stone walls topped with intricate geometric patterns and elaborate friezes depicting gods, animals, and other symbols of Maya cosmology.

The level of craftsmanship in Uxmal’s buildings is considered among the finest in all Maya cities.

 

 

 

 

The Yucatán Peninsula has few natural water sources like cenotes (natural sinkholes), so the Maya in Uxma had to rely on rainwater collected in sophisticated underground cisterns. 

Chaac, the rain god, played a vital role in Uxmal’s ability to sustain life and agriculture. Chaac’s image, intricate stone masks, with his long, curling nose representing streams of water, is carved into many of Uxmal’s buildings. 

 

 

These carvings weren’t just decorative—they were offerings and prayers for rain.

The Governor’s Palace showcases elaborate stone mosaics, including depictions of Chaac, the rain god.

This building, with its intricate designs and sheer size, reflects the importance of religion and astronomy in Maya life. The palace is aligned with astronomical phenomena, showcasing the Maya’s sophisticated understanding of celestial movements, particularly the cycles of Venus.

Uxmal’s city layout reflects a highly organized society, with ceremonial plazas, residential areas, and structures designed to align with astronomical events.

 Uxmal had a ball court where the ancient Maya played pok-ta-pok. Players used their hips, knees, and elbows to hit a heavy rubber ball through stone rings mounted on the walls.

It was a ceremonial game that had spiritual meaning. In some cases, the winners were sacrificed to the gods, an honor in Maya culture, as it was believed their souls would ascend directly to the heavens.

 

 I don't think our culture today would be so keen to play the game.

By the 10th century, Uxmal began to decline, possibly due to environmental changes, resource issues, or shifting alliances. By the time the Spanish arrived in the 1500's, it was largely abandoned, though it remained a sacred site for the Maya.

You can see how nature would have taken over after the Mayas left. Look at the tree roots and imagine how they would create upheaval in building foundations.

 

 

Plants would have found ways to grow in crevices.

And nature would take over.

In some ways, the tourists footsteps today help to keep it alive, in different ways than the footsteps of the Maya did centuries ago.

With all of us being a part of "living history".