Uxmal

Quick Facts: Who was Uxmal?

Subject:

Uxmal

Known for:

Major Maya city known for its exquisite Puuc architectural style in Yucatán, Mexico.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

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, Chichen Itza and Calakmul in Mexico, Caracol and Xunantunich in Belize, and Tikal in Guatemala. It is located in the Puuc region of the western Yucatán Peninsula, and is considered one of the Maya cities most representative of the region's dominant architectural style. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the nearby ruins of Kabah, Sayil and Labna. Uxmal is located 62 km south of Mérida, capital of Yucatán state in Mexico.

Career & Major Achievements

Its buildings are noted for their size and decoration. Ancient roads called sacbes connect the buildings, and also were built to other cities in the area such as Chichén Itzá in modern-day Mexico, Caracol and Xunantunich in modern-day Belize, and Tikal in modern-day Guatemala. Its buildings are typical of the Puuc style, with smooth low walls that open on ornate friezes based on representations of typical Maya huts. These are represented by columns (representing the reeds used for the walls of the huts) and trapezoidal shapes (representing the thatched roofs). Entwined snakes and, in many cases two-headed snakes are used for masks of the rain god, Chaac; its big noses represent the rays of the storms.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Feathered serpents with open fangs are shown leaving from the same human beings. Also seen in some cities are the influences of the Nahua peoples, who followed the cult of Quetzalcoatl and Tlaloc. These were integrated with the original elements of the Puuc tradition. The buildings take advantage of the terrain to gain height and acquire important volumes, including the Pyramid of the Magician, with five levels, and the Governor's Palace, which covers an area of more than 1,200 m2 (12,917 sq ft). The present name seems to derive from Oxmal, meaning "three times built." This seems to refer to the site's antiquity and the times it had to rebuild.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Uxmal

True or False: “The primary decorative motif on the façades of Uxmal is derived from representations of typical Maya huts.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): These hut representations are stylized using columns for reeds and trapezoidal shapes for thatched roofs.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Uyghur Khaganate — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A powerful Turkic empire that dominated Central Asia from the mid-8th to 9th centuries.
• Uzun Hasan — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Powerful ruler of the Aq Qoyunlu state, achieving its territorial zenith.
• V. C. Andrews — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: American novelist celebrated for Gothic family sagas and forbidden romance.
• Vāchaspati Misra — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Ninth-century Indian philosopher of Advaita Vedanta, known for commentaries and grammar.
• Václav Havel — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Czech statesman, author, and dissident who led Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic.
• Víctor Erice — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Pioneering Spanish film director, celebrated for symbolic works like The Spirit of the Beehive.

Frequently Asked Questions about Uxmal