Kiuic

KIUIC- Yucatán, Mexico

DESCRIPTION
Kiuic is a mid-size archaeological zone located in the southwest area of the Yucatán in the Bolonchén District. The site, set within the Kaxil Kiuic Biocultural Reserve, has a long occupation history beginning in the Middle Preclassic (800-300 BCE) through to its abandonment sometime around 950/1000 CE in the Terminal Classic. The area borders the Puuc Hills, and has geographical features that include low, cone-shaped hills interspersed by flat areas consisting of fertile soils, but having a scarcity of water resources. The entire Puuc Archaeological Zone is noted for its outstanding stone workmanship and distinctive architecture.

There are several structures that were found in a relatively intact state that have been consolidated, while others have since been excavated and partially restored. Many of the other structures throughout the extensive site, however, have yet to see much work apart from limited excavations.

The site lies about 9.5miles/6 km southeast of its better-known neighbor Labna, and is not officially open to the public.

Kiuic is reached off the Highway 184 that runs East/West between Maxcanu and Felipe Carillo Puerto. At Oxkutzcab, take the Highway 31 south out of town passing through several pueblos about 15.75 miles/25.35 km to the small pueblo of Xul. Once in town make a right onto 13th street and continue west for around 5.85 miles/9.4 km to a dirt road turnoff on the right (look for rusted sign). Continue on another 1.4 miles/2.2 km to the Kaxil Kiuic Biocultural Reserve and Millsaps College buildings.

HOURS: not officially open to the public
ENTRANCE FEE: none, though there may be an ejido fee
GUIDES: check at the site entrance or at the small pueblo, Xul.
SERVICES: none-Bring food and drink & insect spray
ON-SITE MUSEUM: no
ACCOMMODATIONS: Day trip from Merida
GPS: 20d 05’48” N, 89d 03’96” W
MISC: visit the Loltun Cave on the way

HISTORY AND EXPLORATION
Ceramic evidence points to an early occupation of Kiuic during the Middle Preclassic (800-300 BCE), around 800 BCE. The earliest architectural structures consist of three low platforms in the Dzunun Plaza within the Yaxché Group constructed towards the end of the Middle Preclassic. No carved stelae or other glyphic writing have been discovered at the site to help in identifying its rulers and/or social/political relationships with other sites. It has been suggested by researchers that the site may have been under the influence of Labná, 5.5 miles/8.8 km to the northwest, which in turn was subordinate to the regional capital at Uxmal.

The contemporary site of Huntichmul, just 2.8 miles/4.5 km away, is situated midway between Labná and Kiuic along a proposed route involving all three sites. It is being studied by archaeologist William Ringle of Davidson College. A brief description is provided at the end of this report.

Investigations by researchers have indicated that a royal court was not established at Kiuic until the end of the Late Classic/beginning of the Terminal Classic (850-1150 CE). This time frame also saw the site reach its apogee with most of the structures seen today dating from this period.

Research has shown that lime production was an important activity at the site. Lime was used extensively by the Maya as a stucco finish for structures, plazas, patios and building ornamentations. The huge demand for lumber to feed the kiln fires led to the degrading of environmental conditions, and may have been a contributing factor to the Maya Collapse.

Excavations have revealed an abrupt abandonment of the site around 950 CE. Structures and patios were left unfinished, and utilitarian items that would usually have been taken by the inhabitants were left in place.

Kiuic was first visited by those intrepid explorers John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood in 1842. Their basecamp was the Casa Real Kewick built upon an ancient platform base. Teobert Maler took photographs and made drawings during his extensive trips to the Yucatan between 1887-89. There followed investigations by the Carnegie Institution in the 1930’s and 40’s, among others.

The Labná-Kiuic Archaeological Project (LKAP) under the direction of William Ringle of Davidson College began investigations in 2001. For the past 20 years the Bolonchen Regional Archaeological Project (BRAP) under the direction of George Bey III of Millsaps College and Tomás Gallareta Negrón of INAH, have been conducting extensive investigations, excavations, consolidations, and restorations throughout the site. This college program offers undergraduates a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in field archaeology studies.

STRUCTURES
Kiuic is made up of at least thirteen named groups, along with numerous, smaller residential complexes spread out over a large area. The groups and complexes are mostly situated on leveled hill tops, though some are found on flat terrain. It is thought that the flat areas were mostly used for agricultural purposes. There are numerous chultuns and haltúns (small, semi-permanent rock pools) scattered throughout the archaeological zone. The site is mostly oriented about 11 degrees east of North, and encompasses an area of around 1.9 square miles/5 km squared. Most of the structures seen today date from the Terminal Classic (850-1150 CE).

Simple platforms dating from the Preclassic have been identified within the site. Several of the structures reported on at the end of the 19th century have since collapsed, possibly due to the destructive forces of root systems of tropical vegetation, along with weather events.

The numerical nomenclature of the site can be a bit lengthy, and so for the purpose of this report the structure numbering system has been simplified, and groups have been assigned a capital letter.

The most important group at the site, and the one that is the focus of this report, is the Yaxché Group (Group A). This group is comprised of three plazas and two large patios. It was an elite residential and civic/ceremonial complex, and the site nexus from the Preclassic until the beginning of the Terminal Classic. The group contains the largest pyramid at the site, along with a council house/popol nah, a twin gallery range type structure, two temples, and several smaller structures. The main structures are built around the three plazas; Dzunun, Icim and Ulum, and surround the main pyramid.

The main plaza, Plaza Dunum, is the civic/ceremonial center of the site. A low, Middle Preclassic (700-350 BCE) platform is located in the plaza and is considered the earliest structure within the Puuc area. The main pyramid, Structure N1065E1025, herein referred to as Structure A1, sits on the north end of the plaza.

Structure A1 attained its final design in the Terminal Classic, transitioning from a palace complex to a temple-pyramid that rises to a height of about 39 feet/12 meters. It consists of several staggered levels with a central, plaza-facing stairway that once led up to a single-chamber, corbel-vaulted, summit temple. A stone bench is located at the back of the chamber. Excavations have revealed that the chamber contained four stones with carved “mat” signs at its corners, denoting symbols of royalty. Ample amounts of stucco fragments suggest that the temple was once decorated with the faces of anthropomorphic figures attached to the walls.

Smaller sets of steps that lead to the first level of the pyramid can be seen on all four sides. Several corbel vaulted chambers were uncovered during excavations. These structures were found on the west, north and east sides of the pyramid, and are the remains of the original palace which was later covered over by the pyramid. The south side was open to the plaza. A small, circular altar-stone currently sits in front of the main stairway at plaza level.

The north side of Structure A1 faces onto Patio B. This large patio is ringed by low platforms that once held structures of a perishable nature. The structure that has been excavated, Structure N1000E1040, is set on the north side of the patio.

The east side of Structure A1 forms a small plaza, Plaza Ulum. Structure N1070E1045 is a small temple mound on the north side of Plaza Ulum, and is attached to the base of Structure A1. A small platform mound is found in the center of the plaza. Altars and the remains of broken, plain stelae are associated with the platform mound.

On the east side of Plaza Ulum is Structure A2 (N1050E1065). This structure is set on a low. stepped platform base with a wide stairway leading up to a terrace. A single chamber temple is set at the back of the terrace facing across to Structure A1. The base of the platform is roughly 46 feet/14 meters x 57 feet/17.5 meters.

Behind the Plaza Ulum further to the east is an elite residential group, Balche Group (Group B), situated on and around a small hilltop. The main complex looks back towards the Yaxché Group. Structure B1 (N1030E1150) displays a linear series of chambers set on a lower level. Behind these chambers is a small plaza, Plaza Toh. On the east side of the plaza is a linear, three-chamber structure at a higher level, Structure B2 (N1025E1160). One of the corbel vaulted chambers of this structure remains intact and displays an entryway between twin columns. A very nice, partial stonework mosaic runs across the top of the entryway. Behind this structure is a small patio surrounded by other structures.

Returning to the Plaza Dzunun, the east side houses Structure A3 (N1025E1040), a three-chambered range structure. A central stairway faces onto the plaza.

Structure A4 (N1015E1015) is located on the south side of the plaza. This structure has been partially reconstructed, and has been identified as a popal nah, or council house. Set on a rectangular platform base, the structure has a length of about 56 feet/13.25 meters, and a width of around 11 feet/3.3 meters. It is made up of a single gallery with interior benches and once featured a vaulted roof. Six plaza-facing entrances are accessed via a broad set of steps that lead up to a small terrace in front of the structure.

Structure A6 (N1045E1005) is a mostly unrestored, range type structure set on a raised platform. This long structure runs along the west side of the plaza. The structure exhibited two parallel galleries, each having three chambers with the east side of the structure facing the Dzunun Plaza. The west side of the structure overlooks the Icim Plaza, and displays two intact chambers. A smaller adjoining structure, Structure A5 (N1020E1005), exhibits the same basic layout, but features only two chambers.

The Icim Plaza is located to the west of Dzunun Plaza. All the structures within the Icim Plaza were at one time corbel-vaulted with plaza-facing chambers, and were residential in nature. The east side of the plaza is taken up by Structures A5 and A6 as previously mentioned. Structure A7 (N1030E1000) is situated on the south side of the plaza, and has three chambers, two of which are intact and entered between twin columns. The west side of the plaza is taken up by four single-chambered structures shared across two platform bases. A single-chamber structure is set in the center of the plaza, and a three-chamber structure takes up the north side of the plaza.

During the Terminal Classic period, the royal court was apparently moved a short distance west to the Kuche Group (Group D). A sacbe, Sacbe 1, connected this new group through Plaza Bach back to the Yaxché Group. This new group was mostly residential in nature with the Yaxché Group still being used for some ceremonial events.

The Kuche Group included two plazas; the smaller Plaza Bach, and the main plaza, Plaza Cusam. One of the main structures of Plaza Cusam is Structure D8 (N1025E0830). This range type structure is located on the south side of the plaza, and is a fine example of Puuc Colonnette style architecture that dates the structure to around 850 CE. The north side of the plaza has a 4-chamber range-type structure, Structure D10 (N1100E0850) with a set of plaza-facing steps. The east side of the plaza has a stairway that leads down to Plaza Bach.

The southwest corner of the plaza houses Structure D9 (N1050E0815), that is being investigated as a throne room for the site’s ruler. This is the largest structure of the group, and is set on a platform base accessed by a plaza facing stairway that leads up to a two-chamber structure. The front chamber has the fallen remains of a mosaic mask that would have adorned an interior wall. The back chamber has tumbled down the slope of the platform base. It is thought that a series of mosaic Chaac masks once graced the upper façade of the structure. Two double-chamber structures are positioned on either side of the throne room.

Just beyond the west side of Plaza Cusam a set of stairs leads up a small hill to the Nicte Group (Group E), a small, elite residential area. To the north of this is another elite residential group, Pixoy Group (Group F). The main structure here, Structure F1 (N1185E0820), is a small pyramidal mound with a patio-facing stairway.

Adjacent to the southeast corner of Plaza Cusam is the large residential group, Chulul Group (Group C). This group incorporates two plazas housing several structures. Plaza Colomte is the main plaza. A platform with steps on all four sides is situated in the center of the plaza.

A huge platform mound is set on the south side of Plaza Colomte and incorporates a linear structure, Structure C1 (N0895E0885), on the lower level, part of a large palace complex called the Nohochpak. It features twelve plaza facing chambers, six on each side of a ruined, central stairway. Many of the chambers were discovered intact, and the structure is similar in design to Structure D8 of the Kuche Group.

Behind this series of chambers is a second, higher platform base that houses Structure C2 (N0875E0880). This structure has twelve chambers with eight facing onto the plaza, and two that face east and two to the west. Other structures and chambers most likely exist and await archaeological investigation.

The west side of the plaza has three range-type structures that share the same platform base with each having multi-chambered rooms. On the north end of this platform is Structure C4 (N9700E0850). This structure is also known as Diamantes/Diamonds due to the decorative stonework that graces the front of the now mostly ruined façade. Illustrations and photos from the 19th century show a more complete structure. John Lloyd Stephens describes a brightly painted capstone that was drawn by Frederick Catherwood. Its current whereabouts is unknown to this writer. If anyone has information on its present whereabouts, please let me know.

Plaza Mucuy is found in the northwest area of the Chulul Group just beyond Structure C4. This small plaza has a multi-chamber range structure on its west side, Structure C5 (N1000E0865). At least one of these corbel-vaulted chambers remained intact over the preceding centuries. It has a distinctive medial molding termed a “Broken Medial Molding”, that rises over the entryway. This same type of medial molding was also observed by Stephan Merk at the small Puuc site of Tuncuyi in 2014.

To the southwest of the Chulul Group is a small, elite residential group, Pomol Che Group (Group G), situated atop a small hill. The main structure here, Structure G1 (N0880E0730) is set on the west side of a small patio. It is a one-chamber structure that faces onto the patio. At the foot of the hill is another structure of note. This structure, Structure G5 (N0890E0765), was found intact and photographed by Maler c1888. It has since collapsed, and is hoped that at some point it will be reconstructed.

Located about .6 miles/1 km from the site center is the small, elite residential hilltop complex named Escalera al Cielo/Stairway to Heaven. The complex was rediscovered and named by Tomás Gallareta Negrón in 2001.

The complex consists of three residential patio groups arranged across two modified hilltops. Some of the structures once featured multiple chambers with corbeled vaults displaying the high status of the residents living there. The complex also included structures of a civic/ceremonial nature, which would seem to indicate a limited degree of autonomy from the urban core at Kiuic.

The southernmost patio group, known as the South Group/Group 1, consists of five multi-chambered, vaulted buildings set around the patio. This group is believed to have been the focus of civic/ceremonial activity at the complex, and perhaps even acted as a palace residence. The group was accessed via a stairway that led up the east side of the 197 foot/60 meter hill.

The North Group/Group 2 was of a residential nature. Beneath the floors of some of the structures elaborate burials were discovered which included a variety of grave goods. An important discovery of a nicely preserved bark beater incised with dotted diagonal cross-hatching was made, and suggests the occupants were engaged in producing amate paper and/or bark cloth, an important trade/tribute item. Recovered items within and around the chambers included items of jadeite, imported chert and obsidian artifacts, marine shell, stone, bone beads, chert axes, and ceramic vessels, figurines, whistles, and twenty-eight metates and manos/rollers.

In all several chultúns and five sascaberas (quarries for extracting raw lime plaster material) have been associated with the complex indicating a production center of lime plaster. A set of stone-mason’s tools was recovered which could indicate that some of the residents were engaged in this activity as well.

The excavations of the complex have suggested to researchers that the abandonment of Escalera al Cielo was done in a hasty manner with the expectation of a return that never occurred. What happened?

HUNTICHMUL
Huntichmul is located around mid-point between Kiuic and Labna. It was a contemporary of both sites and was most likely well-integrated within the social/political history of the Bolonchen area. The site is larger than Kiuic with several groups spread out over a large area in a pattern similar to that seen at Kiuic. Several structures remain mostly intact and feature the same Puuc architectural design as found at Kiuic and Labna.

Huntichmul was first reported on by Teobert Maler who explored and photographed the site in January of 1887 including Structure N4970E4925. He reported that this structure had a series of glyphs on the central lintel and a relief of a warrior figure on its inner surface.

Four stelae with glyphic text have been recovered here possibly indicating a more pronounced ruling class. Stela 1 has a probable, reconstructed date of 10.1.0.0.0 5 Ajaw 3 Kayab- November 28, 849 CE. A ruler has been identified as Kan Tok. The text mentions a Period Ending event, and the erecting of the stela.

The site has two well-defined sacbeob that connect the main civic/ceremonial groups with elite residential groups.

The most important groups are located on the modified summits of the low hills that dot the valley floor. The largest and most impressive group is the Magaña Group. The most notable edifice here is Structure N4810E4950, a multi-level structure, that displays the remains of a Chenes zoomorphic mask that once surrounded the central door of the structure. This type of decorative design represents the furthest example of the Chenes style architecture into the Puuc area.

The Góngora Group features the previously mentioned Structure N4970E4925, a large two-level palace structure housing 14 chambers. The structure sits atop a modified hilltop. A ramp/stairway leads down to smaller structures on the valley floor.

There are several residential groups that are spread out over the area including the Pech Group, Chanchich Group, and the May group among others.