Hidden Archaeology
of the Yucatan

In the state of Yucatan we are fortunate to have a number of fascinating archaeological sites. Chichen Itza and Uxmal are well known, but other, smaller sites are equally interesting and can often be enjoyed in comparative solitude!

Kabah. The Puuc, the Mayan hilly country, was once the most densely populated regions in the peninusla. Kabah, located only nine miles southeast of Uxmal, was the second largest ceremonial center in the area and was connected to Uxmal by a stone causeway, or sacbe. Perhaps the most interesting structure at Kabah is the Palace of the Masks. 151 feet long, it contains ten chambers arranged in two tiers of five each; the chambers of each pair are built one directly behind the other, with a single outside doorway for each pair. The exterior decorations are considered to be the finest exmaple of Puuc archgitetcure in existence today - three rows of mask panels run across the entire front of the building, topped with extremely ornate molding, that topped with another three rows of mask panels. Another unique feature at Kabah is the stone arch. 15 feet across, it stands apart from any other building at the beginning of the stone causeway leading to Uxmal.


Above: Kabah

Sayil, from the Mayan ‘Zayi’, means place of leaf-cutter ants. The Palacio is its primary feature, with 3 stepped levels, and 98 rooms. Beautifully decorated with columns, Chaac masks, and sculptures of the Gods "Ah Mucen Cab", the bee God linked to Venus worship, and "Kukulkán", the feathered serpent seen throughout MesoAmerica. Local superstition claims that on Good Friday of every year, music can be heard playing throughout the ruins Xlapak means "old walls" in Mayan.


Above: Sayil

Xlapak is small site that is very close to Labná – indeed, it may have been part of the larger site. There are 14 mounds with 3 pyramids in the process of restoration, allowing the visitors to see how these sites are found. The ornate friezes, composed of sets of Chac masks, are especially interesting.

Labna means "old houses" in Maya. Labna was inhabited between 750 to 1,000 AD. This site has been the focus of recent investigation and actually four of its buildings have been restored. Its most outstanding feature is the Labna arch – over 40 feet wide and 20 feet tall, it is an outstanding example of the Mayan corbelled arch. Its facade is decorated with small columns, depictions of palm houses, and stylized serpents. It is thought to have been the entrance to the city, and has a small "guard house" attached.




Above: Labnah

Chacmultun means "mounds made of red stone" in Maya, for the distinctive color of the buildings at the site. This color was the result of microorganisms living in the stone which turned red when they came into contact with air and water. There are four main districts of the city: Chacmultun, Kabalpak, Xetpol and the Central district. These groups of buildings were built on hills or artificial terraces to make them seem more imposing, a typical feature of the Puuc region. A ball court is the highlight of the Central district..Though in relatively poor condition, the Building of the Paintings has murals depicting a procession of dignitaries. Finds of volcanic materials, such as obsidian, suggest that Chacmultun was a center of trade routes stretching the peninsular coast from Jaina in the west to Tulum, to the east.


Above: Chacmultun

Hacienda Chichen's archeology page
Maya-archaeology.org
Mexperience's Guide to Palenque

To read in Spanish click here

Read more about:
 Chichen Itza
 Uxmal
 Puuc Route
Hotels in the Yucatan

Visit our map:
 Map of Yucatan Peninsula