History of Meso-American Architecture : Uxumal No.1

HISTORY OF MESO-AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE

UXUMAL No.1

: Uxumal, Yucatan, Mexico; Late Classic; A.D.8c-10c

Uxumal is located in the northern part of Yucatan and the important place for the commerce and politics. The area of the main part of the Uxumal is 600m from east to west, 1km from north to south.
It's cultural peak is 8-10c (Late Classic Period) and the architecture is one of the best work in Maya based on Puuc Style.

Three architectural styles in Yucatan during the Late Classic Period.

Reo Bec Style: Consisted of a tall towerlike pyramid (sometimes pairs of pyramids or sets of three pyramids) which has The Chenes Style temple on the top.
Chenes Style: The temple has a rich stucco decoration on the facade and a grotesque decoration on the entrance which shows a god's mouth.
Puuc Style: The facade is devided two horizontal part and the upper part is decorated with mosaic patterns.

Panoramic view from the Great Pyramid to the north.

Pyramid of the Magician is the center, House of the Turtles is the left in the foreground, Nunnery Quadrangle is left in the background and Governor's Palace is the right. A.D.9c-11c

Pyramid of the Magician. East facade (back side).

Pyramid of the Magician was rebult 5 times. The Temple I was built on the ground and covered by the pyramid now.
The Temple IV, the Chenes Style, is the entrance part on the pyramid, the Temple III and the Temple II are behind the Temple IV.
The Temple V, the Puuc Style, is on the top.

Photo: Kohichi Hotta

[No.1]Pyramid of the Magician : [No.2]Nunnery Quadrangle

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