Yaxchilán is a gorgeous Maya site located on the riverbank of the Usumacinta. The site lies on top of a horseshoe meander on the Mexican side of the important river that divides Mexico from Guatemala. Today, the site can only be reached by boat.
Yaxchilán was founded in the 5th century A.D and reached its maximum splendor in the 8th century A.D. Famous for its more than 130 stone monuments, among which include carved lintels and stelae depicting images of royal life, the site also represents one of the most elegant example of classic Maya architecture.
Yaxchilán was often in conflict with the important polity of Piedras Negra, on the Guatemalan border of the Usumacinta, which is only 25 miles (40 Km) away.
History of the Discovery
Yaxchilán was rediscovered by explorers in the 19th century. The famous English and French explorers Alfred Maudslay and Desiré Charnay visited the ruins of Yaxchilan at the same time and reported their findings to different institutions. Maudslay also made the fist map of the site. Other important explorers and, later on, archaeologists that worked at Yaxchilán were Tebert Maler, Ian Graham, Sylvanus Morely, and, recently, Roberto Garcia Moll.
Site Layout at Yaxchilán
Visitors arriving at Yaxchilán for the first time will remain mesmerized by the tortuous, dark passageway known as “the Labyrinth” that leads you into the main plaza, framed by some of the most important buildings of the site.
Yaxchilán is made up of three major complexes: the Central Acropolis, the South Acropolis, and the West Acropolis. The site is built over a high terrace facing north the Usumacinta and extends beyond there into the hills of the Maya lowlands.
Architecture at Yaxchilán
The main sector of the site is the Central Acropolis, which overlooks the main plaza. Here the main buildings are Temple 23 or “the Temple of Lady Xook”, two ballcourts, Temple 12, and one of the two hieroglyphic stairways.
Temple 23: this structure was dedicated by the ruler Itzamnaaj B’alam III (also known as Shield Jaguar the Great) to one of his wife Lady K’ab’al Xook. The single-room structure has three doorways with three lintels above them (the famous lintels 24, 25, and 26). Mexican archaeologist Roberto Garcia Moll excavated a series of burials on the temple floor and found several objects such as bone knives, vessels, and obsidian blades. One of the bone knives has the name of Lady Xook incised, suggesting that this was probably the burial of the queen.
Still in the Central acropolis, Structure 33 represents the apex of Yaxchilán architecture and its Classic development. The temple was probably constructed by the major ruler Bird Jaguar IV or dedicated to him by his son. The temple, a large room with three doorways, decorated with stucco motifs, overlooks the main plaza and stands on a excellent observation point toward the river. The real masterpiece of this building is its roof, almost intact, composed by a high crest, or roof comb, with a frieze and niches with remains of a human figure. The second hieroglyphic stairway leads to the front of this structure.
Temple 44 is the main building of the West Acropolis. It was constructed by Itzamnaaj B’alam II around 730 AD to commemorate its military victories. It is decorated with stone panels depicting his war captives.
Yaxchilán in the Classic Period
Yaxchilán started out as a small city in the Early Classic, in the 5th and 6th century A.D. For a long period, the city was under the power of other Maya centers such as Piedras Negras, Palenque and Toniná.
In the Late Classic, Yaxchilán gained power and independence, and under the rulers Itzamnaaj B’alam II and his son Bird Jaguar IV reached its apogee, between the 7th and 8th century A.D. During this period, Yaxchilán extended its dominion over other nearby sites and started an ambitious construction program that included most of what is visible today.
Images of Royal Life from Yaxchilán
Probably the most famous aspect of Yaxchilán is its rich group of carved panels, lintels and stelae, portraying images of the royal dynasties. The famous door lintels of temple 23 (lintels 24, 25, 26) depict scenes of coronation, blood sacrifices and rituals performed by the royal family.
- Read about Lintel 24 at Yaxchilan
- Maya Bloodletting Rituals
On many stelae and on the impressive hieroglyphic stairways are often represented narrative scenes focusing on battles, capturing of enemies and the site history.
Sources
This glossary entry is a part of the About.com guide to Maya Civilization, and the Dictionary of Archaeology.
Martin Simon and Nikolai Grube, 2000, Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens: Deciphering the Dynasties of the Ancient Maya. Thames & Hudson, London and New York.
Miller Mary and Simon Martin, 2004, Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya. Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco and Thames and Hudson.
Tate Caroline, 1992, Yaxchilan: The Design of a Maya Ceremonial City. University of Texas Press, Austin.