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The name of this city, Uxmal (pronounced Ooshmal), probably
refers to the above pyramid. In the Yucatec language, Uxmal
means 'Thrice Built'. It was a custom among the ancient Maya to
enlarge their pyramids every 52 years, to mark the beginning
of a new calendar cycle. This pyramid looks like it was rebuilt
three times, but according to archeologists, it was actually
rebuilt five times. It's called 'The House of the Magician'
because of a legend which says that a magical dwarf created it
during one night.
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The House of the Magician |
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At Uxmal there are four buildings around a rectangular court.
The area is called 'The Nunnary Quadrangle'. (This name
was given by the Spanish; there is no reason to believe that
the buildings actually functioned as a nunnary.) The south
building has a date of April 23rd, 903. The east building has
a date of October 2nd, 906.
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North building of the Nunnary Quadrangle. |
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Detail of the north building. Notice the three faces
of Chaak, god of rain, above the entrance. |
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West building. |
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Detail of the west building. The rattle snake was an
important symbol for Mesoamerican people. Notice the
man's head in the mouth of the snake. The man is not
being eaten; he is being born from the snake's mouth.
On the tail of the snake is a dead plant. The sculpture
represents birth and death.
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East building. Above the entrance are three faces of Chaak.
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The Governor's Palace - One of the most beautiful
buildings in Mesoamerica.
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Detail photo of the Governor's Palace.
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Detail photo of the Governor's Palace. Notice the faces
of Chaak. |
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The Great Pyramid at Uxmal.
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The Nunnary Quadrangle and the House of the Magician,
photographed from the Great Pyramid.
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Climbing pyramids is dangerous.
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