5197 x 3479 px | 44 x 29,5 cm | 17,3 x 11,6 inches | 300dpi
Aufnahmedatum:
19. Januar 2007
Ort:
Palace of the Governor, Uxmal,Mexico
Weitere Informationen:
Uxmal in the Mayan language means Thrice Built. Situated 78 km From Merida, Uxmal originates from around 500BC, but the majority of the architecture dates from the Classic Period 1000-1150 AD and is unique amongst the Yucatan ruins for its Puuc style of architecture. Puuc architecture has several predominant features, most notably constructions with a plain lower section and a richly decorated upper section. Stone filigree carvings most commonly found include serpents, lattice work and masks of the god Chac. Chac was the god of rain, greatly revered by the Maya at Uxmal because of the lack of natural water supplies in the city. Although the Yucatán has no surface rivers, most Maya cities used cenotes to access underground water, however there were no cenotes at Uxmal. Instead, it was necessary to collect water in chultunes or cisterns, built in the ground. The proximity of the Puuc hills did mean, however, that comparatively rich soil from the hilltop forests was washed down the slopes during rainstorms, making the area one of the most successful agricultural regions of the Yucatán, no doubt contributing to its enormous political power and position as the capital of the Puuc region.
