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UXMAL
Ruins of the ancient Maya city of Uxmal rise from the
flat limestone platform of the Yucatan Peninsula, emerging regally
from the forest canopy. This overview, as seen from the top of
the Great Pyramid shows the Nunnery Complex (left) and House of
the Dwarf (right); the ballcourt and several smaller structures
are obscured by the foreground trees.
* * *
Cresting the low hill from the main entrance, visitors
first encounter this imposing view of the House of the Dwarf.
This is the east facade.
* * *
The west facade of the House of the Dwarf. Ceremonial
chambers top the broad and steep stairway. The lower of the two
chambers once stood at the uppermost point, but it is evident
that the whole structure was enlarged, allowing construction of
the elongate chamber that now surpasses the former apex. At the
base there are ruins of a building complex that once defined a
small courtyard or plaza enclosed by low buildings.
* * *
Partial view of the The Ball Court with the arched
entrance to the Nunnery Quadrangle in the distance. The ball game,
in which players propelled a hard rubber ball towards the ring-shaped
goal without using their hands, held great ritualistic significance
for the ancient Maya as well as other cultures of Mesoamerica.
Ball games figure prominently in ancient Maya mythology.
* * *
Retaining wall for the immense platform upon which
the House of the Governor and the House of Turtles was built.
* * *
The House of Doves, as seen from the top of the Great
Pyramid. In essence, this ruin was once an elongate building consisting
of two rows of rooms. From this angle, the remains of the southern
row of rooms is visible despite the vegetation partially obscuring
the walls and roof surface. The northern row of rooms, not visible
from this angle, is in comparable condition. The most prominent
feature remaining on this structure is an elaborate roofcomb consisting
of seven triangular elements built atop a wall that corresponds
in position to the centerline of the structure.
* * *
House of Doves, as viewed from the north, The exterior
halves of the roof of each room have collapsed long ago. It is
believed that statues were once installed near the center of each
triangular element of the roof comb, where the structure is solid,
not perforated. At its center, the double row of rooms is interrupted
by a corbel-vaulted arch-way, serving as a convenient passage
between north and south sides of the structure.