Uxmal Archaeological Zone, Archaeological site in Santa Elena, Mexico
Uxmal Archaeological Zone is a Maya site in Santa Elena, Mexico, spreading across several hectares and comprising more than a dozen restored buildings. The complex divides into different areas with temples, palaces, and courtyards connected by broad pathways.
Between the 7th and 10th centuries, the settlement experienced its peak and became an important political center for the Maya in the Puuc region. Inhabitants abandoned the city around the year 1000, likely due to droughts and political shifts.
The name Uxmal means built three times in Maya language, referring to the practice of constructing new layers over existing buildings. Today visitors can still see traces of red pigment on some walls, remnants of paint that once covered much of the site.
Paths between the structures often cross uneven ground, so sturdy footwear is recommended for the visit. Early morning hours offer a chance to avoid the heat and enjoy the calm before larger tour groups arrive.
The Governor's Palace holds one of the longest preserved facades in Maya architecture, measuring nearly 300 feet (100 meters) across. Its orientation follows none of the nearby main buildings and instead points to a spot on the horizon that may have astronomical meaning.
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