Uaxactun

welcome to the mayan ruins website .

A29 tomb entrance a. ledyard smith

groups F&H site map riecan /drapela

structure B-V ballcourt guatemala ministry of culture

structure A_XVIII adrian zwegers

structure A-XVIII oswaldo matu

group A site map r. smith

plaza E david germain

structure E-VII temple of the masks guatemala ministry culture

temple E-X steve radzi

plaza A stelae rodrigo moreno

UAXACTUN

structure H-V pavol spisak

group E google earth

initial series vase mary louise baker

B-XIII mural photo a.ledyard smith

structure C-I pyramid a. ledyard smith

structure H-I mask alice desprat

structure A-III rodrigo moreno

site map drapela/lieskovsky

group E site map drapela/lieskovsky

groups A&B reconstruction drawing tatana proskouriakoff

structure E-X south side google earth

structure H-XVI eva jobbova

structure A-V upper terrace rodrigo moreno

structure A-V palace a. ledyard smith

UAXACTUN-Peten, Guatemala

DESCRIPTION
Uaxactun, “Eight Stones”, is an important Maya archaeological zone located north of the city/state of Tikal. The name given to the site is in recognition of the first stela located having a date within the 8th Baktun (Stela 9, 327CE). This was one of the earliest sites to be professionally investigated and reported on. Much of the archaeological terminology regarding the Maya World was first introduced at this site. Its ancient name may have been Si’aan K’aan, “Born in Heaven”, though there is some scholarly debate on this.

Astronomical complexes were first identified at Uaxactun, and are identified throughout Mesoamerica as “E Groups”. The formal placement of these structures allowed the Maya to observe astronomical events such as the solstices and equinoxes, which in turn help to determine agricultural, seasonal, and ritual events. Recent research has suggested that the Group E Complex at Uaxactun can be associated with observations of the Moon, Venus, and the important constellation of Orion, “The birthplace of the gods”.

There is a modern village and an old airstrip that are located among the ruins. The air strip divides the site into eastern and western sectors, and the whole site consists of 6 main groups.

Uaxactun is located deep in the Petén tropical rain forest within the Maya Biosphere Reserve. It is most easily reached by flying into Flores, an island city in Lake Petén Itza. From there it is about 40 miles/64 km to Tikal, and then another 13 miles/20 km along a dirt road to the site. Modern Flores, ancient Tayasal, was the last independent Maya Kingdom to hold out against the Spanish onslaught which finally fell in 1697.Travel to the site can also be made by road west from Belize, or north from Guatemala City.

HOURS: 8 A.M – 4 P.M.
ENTRANCE FEE: U.S. $30/230Q for entrance into Tikal National Park and Uaxactun. Other fees may apply
GUIDES: Can be obtained at Flores, Tikal, and Uaxactun
SERVICES: Bathrooms
ON-SITE MUSEUM: Small private museum “Juan Antonio Valdés”, which exhibits archaeological pieces found at different sites in the area.
ACCOMODATIONS: Food, Lodging and transportation can be found in the village of Uaxactun, Tikal or Flores
GPS: 17d 23’8” North, 89d 38’4” West
MISC: Bring food, water, insect repellant

HISTORY AND EXPLORATION
Uaxactun traces its settlement history back to the Middle Preclassic (800-300 BCE) and was continuously inhabited until the end of the Late Classic (600-900 CE). Masonry architecture began appearing just before the start of the Late Preclassic (300 BCE-250 CE) contemporaneous with that seen at nearby Tikal. Both of these kingdoms may have been overshadowed by the great city/state of El Mirador whose influence extended throughout the Petén.

There have been 26 carved stelae, 25 plain stelae, and 18 carved and plain altars discovered so far at Uaxactun. Some information has been published on the identification of the earlier rulers. Stela 3 mentions the possible founder of the dynastic lineage as Wak Kab Ajaw, "Lord of the Sixth Land/Earth", who ruled perhaps as early as c300 BCE. A large pyramid named El Tiburón, located in Group F and dated to around 400 BCE, was enlarged to a height of around 102 feet/31 meters, and along with the triadic complex built in Group H South made a bold statement as to the political power of the rulers of this time.

A ruler named Yax Eb Xook is indicated by a mask dating to around 100 BCE from Group H South, and which suggests early relations between Tikal and Uaxactun.

Around 10 BCE a new dynastic order appeared, and the seat of authority was moved to Group H North. An important sanctuary linked to this new dynasty was discovered here.

The collapse of El Mirador near the end of the Late Preclassic affected Uaxactun as well. A recovery gradually restarted, perhaps under a new dynastic order, and the site began to expand both architecturally and politically, though it never reached the grand level shown at Tikal. These two kingdoms, separated by only 12 miles/19 km, had a shared relationship not yet clearly defined.

On 8.17.1.4.12, 11 Eb 15 Mak/January 14, 378 CE. the arrival of Siyaj K’ahk’, “Fire is Born”, a royal warrior from Teotihuacan, changed forever the political, social, and economic dynamics of the Maya area. This military intrusion laid the groundwork for a new foreign dynasty at Tikal, a vassal rulership at Uaxactun, and dynastic upheavals at many other Maya kingdoms. Several texts at Uaxactun reference Siyaj K’ahk,’ or his military representative K’inich Mo, in association with a Uaxactun king named “Sunraiser/Sun Carrier”

A date of the Initial Series on Stela 4 has been reconstructed as 8.18.0.0.0 12 Ajaw 8 Sotz'-July 6, 396 CE, and references "Sunraiser” along with a Period Ending ceremony. The glyphic text reveals that he was subordinate to Siyaj K’ahk’.

Stela 5, associated with this same ruler, depicts a Teotihuacan figure dressed in military garb on the front. A new reading of the glyphic text reveals the name of this individual as K'inich Mo, the apparent military representative of Siyaj K’ahk. The text also mentions one of the toponyms of the city as “Ch’ich’ Tun”/Blood Stone. This important stela was the basis from which early researchers first began to contemplate the Teotihuacan-Maya adversarial relationship.

A very important mural was uncovered within Structure B-XIII in Group B that depicts “Sunraiser” in a subordinate posture to K’inich Mo. It also depicts initiation rituals for his son, Janaab K’ihnich the heir to the throne, and has been tentatively dated to 8.17.01.16.12, 4 Eb 10 Yaxk’in, September 13, 378 CE. This event would have taken place just eight months after the arrival of Siyaj K’ahk”.

A ruler identified as “Baahte K'ihnich/ The First Spear of the Sun God” appears on Stela 26 in Group A and the text is associated with a mid-katun ending ceremony in 445 CE. His death apparently occurred shortly thereafter, and his tomb is located within Structure A-V.

Tikal suffered a crushing defeat by Calakmul in 562 CE, and this had a similar devasting effect on Uaxactun. Little building activity or stelae dedications were noted between 562 and 692 CE at both sites. This time frame is known as the ‘Tikal Hiatus’ that began after the violent death of Tikal king, Chak Tok Ichaak.

A stela at a small site located 3 miles/5 km southeast of Uaxactun records a date of 572 CE, and may reference a faction of Uaxactun’s royal elite who relocated there.

Seven rulers have been identified from the 8th through the 9th centuries when Uaxactun began its recovery with restoration and expansion of its structures. Stela 13 in Group A records the important Baktun date of 10.0.0.0.0 7 Ajaw 18 Sip- March 13, 830 CE. A ruler identified as Olom Chik'in Chakte was active around this time frame.

By the end of the 9th century the general area-wide decline of the Maya reached Uaxactun with the last recorded inscription there dated to 889 CE. A stela records a Katun ending ceremony (10.3.0.0.0/May 2, 889 CE) and is the last text from Uaxactun and the entire Petén. The stela, Stela 12, was erected by the last king, K’al Chik’in Chakte, with the king of Tikal, Hasaw Chan K’awiil II, in attendance. A toponym for the city is identified as “Kanko”. The city was abandoned not long thereafter.

Uaxactun was early-on known to chicleros as San Leandro and later as Bambonal. The modern record and exploration of the site began with Sylvanus Morley who rediscovered and named the site in 1916. Frans Blom, in association with the Carnegie Institution, spent two months at the site taking notes on the architecture and stelae in 1924. This was one of the first sites to be systematically explored, studied and excavated.

In 1927 the Carnegie Institute, under the leadership of Oliver Ricketson, began a five-year investigation with the initial purpose of investigating a group of structures in an area known as Group E identified by Blom as a solar observatory. These early investigations led to the further identification of similar structural groups at other sites as having an astronomical function as well. Other researchers from this time period included A. L. Smith, R. E. Smith, E. M. Shook, and Sylvanus Morley.

Shook returned in 1940, and again in 1974 to complete excavations and restoration of Structure E-VII. Anthony Aveni visited in 1978, followed by Erick von Euw and Ian Grahm. In 1982 the Tikal National Park was expanded to include Uaxactun, EI Zotz, and Yaxha, while a program of restoration was begun at Uaxactun by Guatemalan archaeologists between 1983 and 1986, led by Juan Antonio Valdés of the Tikal National Project. The SAHI-Uaxactun Archaeological Project began in 2009 carried out by the Slovak Institute of Archeology and History, Bratislava, Slovakia.

The early excavations carried out at the site revealed Late Preclassic sculpture, masks, and decorations that changed and expanded the understanding of this time period. The identification and study of ceramic styles have led to a clearer identification and dating sequence that has subsequently been used at other sites.

STRUCTURES
The old air strip, now an open space, divides the site into two distinct zones. Groups A-C are located to the west of the airstrip, and were built on a ridge that rises to a height of about 131feet/40 m above the surrounding area. Groups E-H are found to the east of the airstrip. There are impressive Preclassic structures underlying a number of buildings in Groups A, E, and H.

Group A is set upon a raised elevation, and is the largest group by area at the site housing 34 structures set around several plazas and courtyards. The earliest structures date from the Preclassic though many of those seen today date from the Early Classic period (250-600 CE).

The Main Plaza is ringed by four structures that constituted the civic/ceremonial core of the city from the Early Classic Period forward to the time of the site’s abandonment. Several stelae are located here. Structure A-I is situated on the south side of the plaza.

Structure A-I is a three-tiered, radial pyramid exhibiting stairways on all four sides set on the north side of a large platform base. The summit shows no evidence of a masonry structure, but rather a sunken space that was originally painted red. Below this space three crypts have been identified.

A tomb within Structure A-I, Burial A6, has been dated to a ruler from the early to mid-4th century. The well-known Vase of the Initial Series was discovered within Burial A2 beneath the pyramid summit, and is tentatively dated to the 7-8th century and its iconography and style indicates it was possibly manufactured at the Maya site of El Zotz.

In front of the stairway at plaza level are located seven stelae. In front of four of these stelae are their circular, attendant altars. The oldest dated stela at the site, Stela 9, is located here and displays a date 8.14.10.3.15 3 Men 8 Yaxkin, which corresponds to September 22, 327 CE.

The south side of Structure A-I overlooks the South Court. The South Court Plaza features five vaulted temples arranged on the on the east and west sides. Structure A-IX, a pyramidal mound is on the south side. A broad, central stairway faced to the north. The South Court may have been a ceremonial center of importance during the Early Classic.

Structure A-II is a platform-temple set on the west side of the Main Plaza. A broad central stairway rises from the plaza floor to a temple structure that once featured a single chamber with five entryways. Two stelae, Stea 12 and Stela 13, are located in front of the structure. Stela 13 bears the important Baktun Ending date of 10.0.0.0.0 8 Ajaw 18 Sip- March 13, 830 CE. Behind this structure to the west is a large plaza, the West Plaza. Several masonry structures are set on the west side of the plaza.

Structure A-IV is an unexcavated platform structure located in the northeast corner of the Main Plaza. It displays the remains of low walls of a masonry superstructure similar in design to Structure A-II. Plain Stela 10 was discovered set in front of the central entryway.

Structure A-V is a notable acropolis complex located on the east side of the Main Plaza, and set on a large platform. The original design of the superstructure is formed around a triadic arrangement of two-tiered Temples A-C, a common architectural pattern from the Preclassic, a reflection in architecture of the mythical three stones of creation associated with the Orion constellation. The Acropolis became the civic/ceremonial center of the city when the royal seat was moved from the Complex E Group at the beginning of the Early Classic (250-400 CE), and multiple constructions were undertaken. A nine-room palace is set at the back of the Acropolis. The remains of several vaulted rooms are evident today.

Located in front of both Temples A and C on the plaza level is an arrangement of two concentric circles divided into four quarters by two straight lines oriented toward the four cardinal directions. This type of arrangement has been identified with calendrical associations. A similar arrangement has also been noted at Teotihuacan Structure 1Q of the Citadel Complex.

The Acropolis was also the mortuary location of several rulers and other elites during the Classic Period (250-900 CE). After the rulers were entombed, a temple structure housing a stela was constructed above. Tomb A29 is believed to contain the remains of K'inich Mo, the Teotihuacan military representative, displaying a grand array of funerary goods including 26 ceramic vases, a jade necklace, a shell necklace, a jade mask, and significantly, remnants of a codex.

A stairway from the Structure A-V Acropolis leads down to the East Plaza. This area was filled in during the 5th century burying earlier buildings. The most important structure here is Structure A-XVIII.

Structure A-XVIII is set on the north side of the East Plaza. It is the largest palace at the site containing 18 rooms. An internal staircase leads to the second level where a stone throne was set in front of one of its entryways facing across the plaza.

Several smooth and carved stelae and altars are located within the East Plaza. Altar-9, is a round monument composed of three bodies, and is unique in the Maya area. When it was first discovered it still retained a coating of red paint. A sacbe leads east from the plaza to Groups D and E.

A stairway on the south side of Structure A-V leads to the South Plaza. The east side of the plaza features a large platform with a single pyramid-temple structure, Structure A-XV on its east side. The structure houses a royal tomb and faces away from the central core area to the south, possibly in deference to Tikal.

The North Plaza is located behind Structures A-IV and A-V. Structure A-III is the only structure of note located here. It is a truncated pyramid about 22 feet/6.8 m in height with a base of around 107 sq feet/10 m square, and is set alongside a broad sacbe, here called Sacbe 1, that leads to Group B. The sacbe has a length of about 410 feet/125 meters.

Group B features the second largest complex at the site having 36 structures in total, but in a smaller area than Group A. The structures of Group B are centered around three main Plazas; North Plaza, East Plaza and West Plaza.

Sacbe 1 enters the West or Main Plaza at its southeast corner. The plaza measures roughly 164 feet/50 m x 246 feet/75 meters. Several stelae and altars are found in the plaza. Structure B-VIII, a temple-pyramid, is located at the southeast corner, though at a slightly lower level from the rest of the plaza. Its superstructure rests atop a truncated pyramid. A vaulted tomb containing 5 individuals was discovered within. Stelae 4 (396 CE) and 5 (366 CE) are located in front of a north facing stairway.

A small platform is located in front of the structure parallel to the sacbe. An altar and stela 3 are associated with this platform.

Structure B-I, a long, range-type structure, takes up the entire west side of the plaza. Structure B-XXXIII, an elongated platform is on the southwest side of the plaza. Between these two structures is a large aguada/water basin.

The principal ball court at the site, Structure B-V, is found on the southeast side of the plaza. It has a north/south axis with open “end zones”. It is a small court with the parallel range structures about 10 feet/3 m high and a playing alley around 57.5 feet/17.5 m long. Ball Court K-6 at Piedras Negras is nearly identical in design.

The main building of the West Plaza is Structure B-II, a large multi-chamber, palace construction set on a raised platform on the north side of the plaza. It may have had a second level. The north side of this structure faces onto the North Plaza.

The North Plaza is ringed by several structures set on a raised terrace. Structure B-III, a pyramid, is located on the north side of the plaza.

Located about 164 feet/50 meters to the east of the West Plaza is the East Plaza. This plaza incorporates more than fifteen structures set around it and within smaller courtyards. No stelae or other stone monuments have been discovered here. The most notable structure is Structure B-XIII found on the east side of a large platform housing several other constructions.

Structure B-XIII is a palace construction and is noted for the large, multi-colored mural that once graced one of its walls. The 1937 Carnegie project discovered the mural in one of the chambers which included complex palace scenes depicting more than 30 members of the elite and numerous hieroglyphs. Unfortunately, after the field season was completed, the mural was destroyed by looters or other ill-intentioned individuals.

Fortunately, a member of the project, Antonio Tejeda, made a detailed copy of the mural both in color and in black and white. A B&W photo was also taken. The mural measured about 10.5 feet/ 3.2 m long and 3 feet/0.9 m in height, and was framed by a broad red outline. Below the main mural a hieroglyphic text was discovered consisting of a series of the days of the Tzolk’in, detailing a brief description of the depicted events in a calendrical timeline. There are six scenes that depict royal rituals by the Uaxactun King, “Skyraiser” in a subordinate role to the Teotihuacan representative K’ihnich Mo, and a blood-letting ritual by the presumed heir, the youthful Janaab K’ihnich.

Group C is located to the northeast of Group B. There are eight structures associated with this group with the main structure, Structure C-I, a pyramidal mound. The area was most likely an elite residential enclave during the Early Classic (250-600 CE). No stelae have been located here.

Groups D-E-F and H are closely situated together southeast of Group A. Group D is a mixed elite residential/civic area of 49 structures, set around two plazas and five courtyards. A modern road bisects the northern area of the group.

The main group consists of monumental structures D-I through D-IV set around a small plaza atop a leveled hill. Structure D-I is a pyramid/temple and Structures D-III is a platform/altar. A stela, Stela 17, is located here and dated to 416 CE. Structures D-II and D-IV are aligned on an east-west axis, forming what has been called a non-functional Astronomical Commemoration Complex.

A sacbe leads out to the northeast from Structure D-I to a small plaza that features Structure D-V, a pyramid/temple construction placed on the northside. There is one carved stela and two plain stelae set up in front of it. A platform/altar on the east side of the plaza, Structure D-VI, has a stela set up in front of it as well.

Group E is immediately to the southeast of Group D and is among the oldest groups at the site. It consists of two architectural complexes and dates to the Preclassic, around 600 BCE, with continued building and expansion through the Early Classic. Research indicates that the royal seat of power was relocated here after the abandonment of Group H around 260 CE.

The main complex is made up of Structures E-I through E-VIII, and Structure E-XII that surround a plaza. Structures E-I, II and III, and Structure E-VII make up the famous observatory.

Temple E-VII is a flat-topped, radial pyramid with stairways on all four sides. It is set on the west side of the plaza. The central, plaza-facing stairway is flanked by large stucco masks. Similar structures from the same time period are found at Group H, El Mirador, and Lamanai and Cerros in Belize. The masks represent deities exhibiting astronomical associations, possibly those of the Sun and Venus. Stela 20 is located in front of the pyramid and contains a Period Ending date of 9.3.0.0.0, 2 Ajaw 18 Muwan- January 28, 495 CE.

Across the plaza from Structure E-VII on the east side is an elongated, rectangular platform housing a three-temple complex, Structures E-I-III and known as the East Platform, that align to the solstices and equinoxes when viewed from Temple E-VII. Three stelae, Stelae 18, 19 and 21, with Stelae 18 and 19 dated to 357 CE, are set in front of the platform at the plaza level.

Observations of the equinoxes and solstices were first identified at this complex. More recent investigations have shown that the tracking of Venus, a celestial body of great importance to the Maya, could also be observed from the summit of Structure E-VII above the East Platform.

Attached to the south side of Structure E-VII is a small platform, Structure E-XII. Current research has determined that from this vantage point and looking across the plaza, the helical rise of the venerated constellation Orion could be observed rising above Temple E-III on the East Platform. Orion was/is considered to be the “Birthplace of the gods”, and had/has great relevance in Maya mythology and religion as the place of creation represented by its three stars, the three stones of creation.

Structures E-IV-VI are set on a shared platform on the south side of the plaza. These buildings form a triadic arrangement set around a courtyard that was a very common architectural arrangement during the Preclassic Period. A central, north-facing stairway leads up from the plaza level to the courtyard.

The north side of the plaza houses the Structure E-X Complex, a courtyard surrounded by 4 structures. The south side of the courtyard features a rectangular platform with stairs on its south and north sides. The north side has what may be the remains of a stone mask or mosaic design. A stairway on the east side of the courtyard rises up to a well-preserved temple structure, Temple 10. The temple features a stepped vault, visible today, with three chambers. The structure also displays intact portions of a roof comb.

Structure E-XIV is located to the east of the East Platform, a little explored area covered by jungle and known as the Forgotten Plaza. The structure is set on the same axis and orientation as Structure E-VII, and is now considered part of the astronomical complex. Further investigation could reveal new astronomical associations related to the complex.

Group F is located to the southwest of Group E, and has a Late Preclassic occupation date. This huge acropolis complex is known as El Tiburón, named after a shark’s tooth which was found there as an offering. It is arranged across the summit of a leveled hill and has a height of almost 102 feet/31 meters and a huge base measuring 541 feet/165 meters x 377 feet/115 meters. The complex houses two nestled triadic groups set on an axis a few degrees east of North. A central stairway faces to the north.

The first construction phase is tentatively dated to around 400-350 BCE. Its size and long length of occupation throughout the Late Preclassic period indicates that it was a significant center of elite activity. Two caves are associated with the complex.

Group G is located to the southwest of Group A. It is mostly a residential enclave made up of three architectural complexes including a pyramidal mound.

Group H is a Preclassic group located to the southeast of Group F. It consists of two main plaza groups oriented on a north/south axis.

The main structures of Group H South are set on the east side of a plaza atop a leveled hill. It features a triadic complex housing Structures H-VII-XI with the main pyramid temple set on the east side of a large courtyard. Early structures buried beneath later construction feature large stucco masks and decorative facades. It has been suggested that this area was the initial seat of rulership, and for reasons unclear the dynastic power center was later moved to Group H North.

Group H North is located about 246 feet/75 meters north of Group H South. The group consists of three plaza complexes The Lower Platform, The Upper Platform, and the Plaza of Rocks. The stucco mask decorations found in Group H North are among the largest masks found in the Maya World.

The main complex is a triadic complex set on the east side of the Lower Platform, atop a large basal platform known as the Upper Platform. A central stairway flanked by two large masks leads up about 16.5feet/5 meters to the Upper Platform terrace. Each giant mask has a length of about 64 feet/19.5 meters, and a current height of about 11.5 feet/3.5 m, though the upper half of each mask has not been preserved. The masks formed part of a symbolic complex related to Maya cosmology.

The largest building of the triadic complex is Structure H-I, a pyramid-temple set on the east side of the terrace, and reaching a height of around 56 feet/17 m, and around 164 feet/50 m in length. The pyramid is flanked by Structures H-III and H-V, two smaller pyramid-temples that each reach a height of around 26 feet/8 m.

Below the Structure H-I complex at the plaza level is Structure H-XVI on the south side. This building is a medium size, three-tiered pyramidal structure measuring around 69 feet/21 m x 52.5 feet/16m, and 16.5 feet/5m high. A plain stela was set into the second-tier terrace. Excavations on the north side of the building have revealed a large niche that was cut into the structure at plaza level. This may originally have been conceived as a ritual cave, but was transformed into a sanctuary around 10 BCE. A second artificial cave was located within the substructure where an important offering was located.

The offering contained two vessels placed lip to lip with a third vessel within. Inside the third vessel was placed an axe and a scepter inscribed with 20 glyphs describing a ruler’s accession to the throne. The scepter is shaped like a piercer, and represents the figure of a king. His name has yet to be translated, but has been nick-named “Blood Head” in line with the iconography.

Structure H-XV is a radial pyramid located on the west side of the Lower Platform with a height of around 26 feet/8 meters. It has been noted that the helical rise of the constellation Orion could be viewed from here above the H-I triadic complex. Interestingly, the large pyramid F-VIII located on the top of El Tiburon shares with H I the same horizon angle as H-XV, and due to its elevation, Orion would have been observable across the axis of the three structures.

The Mayan turtle constellation Ak Ek', known today as Orion, played an important role in Maya mythology. The three stars of Orion; Rigel, Saiph and Altinak, are identified with the three primordial stones of creation, and are still represented in contemporary Maya hearths.

Structures H-XV and XVI also form the north and east sides of the Plaza of the Rocks. The west side of the plaza is taken up by a platform housing several temple constructions.

For reasons not well understood, Group H was buried and abandoned around the 2nd century CE, and the center of the dynastic seat moved to the E Group.

Numerous smaller groups and individual complexes are scattered throughout the archaeological zone.