Yaxha (or Yaxhá in Spanish orthography) is a Mesoamerican archaeological site
in the northeast of the Petén Basin region, and a former ceremonial centre and
city of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Yaxha was the third largest city
in the region and experienced its maximum power during the Early Classic
period (c. AD 250–600).
The city was located on a ridge overlooking Lake Yaxha. The name of the city
derives from the Mayan for "blue-green water"; it is a notable survival of a
Classic period place-name into the modern day. The Yaxha kingdom is estimated
to have covered an area of 237 square kilometres (92 sq mi) and to have had a
peak population of 42,000 in the Late Classic period of Mesoamerican
chronology.
Yaxha had a long history of occupation with the first settlement being founded
sometime in the Middle Preclassic period (c. 1000–350 BC). It developed into
the largest city in the eastern Petén lakes region during the Late Preclassic
(c. 350 BC – AD 250) and expanded into an enormous city during the Early
Classic (c. AD 250–600). At this time, in common with other sites in Petén, it
shows strong influence from the distant metropolis of Teotihuacan in the
Valley of Mexico. It was eclipsed during the Late Classic (c. AD 600–900) by
neighbouring Naranjo but was never completely dominated. The city survived
well into the Terminal Classic (c. 800–900) but was abandoned by the
Postclassic period (c. 900–1525).
The ruins of the city were first reported by Teoberto Maler who visited them
in 1904. The site was mapped in the 1930s and again in the 1970s and
stabilisation work began in the late 1980s. The ruins include the remains of
more than 500 structures with a number of major archaeological groups linked
by causeways. Approximately 40 Maya stelae have been discovered at the site,
about half of which feature sculpture.
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Yaxha map.
On this map north is at the top and south is at the bottom. The route
followed is marked with red arrows.
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Square C.
Square C is an E-Group astronomical complex to the southeast of the site
core, linked to the city centre by the Lincloln Causeway.
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Three Early Classic stelae were erected on the east side of the
square.
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Walking towards the South Acropolis.
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The South Acropolis.
The South Acropolis, sometimes referred to as the Main Acropolis, was
built upon a high karstic hill.
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It had a long history, with construction starting at the end of the
Middle Preclassic period and continuing through to the Terminal
Classic.
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The acropolis is a complex consisting of six patio groups upon an
artificial platform and includes a Mesoamerican ballcourt (Ballcourt
1).
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The patios are separated by corbel-vaulted structures that were
probably elite residences; the exception is Structure 363, which is a
temple between Patio 5 and Patio 6.
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Ballcourt 1.
Panoramic view of Ballcourt 1 inside the South Acropolis.
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Towards the North Acropolis.
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West side of the North Acropolis.
Panoramic view of the west side of the North Acropolis. In the
foreground runs the Blom Caseway that connects the central group of the
site to the Maler Group which is located in the north of the site.
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Rounding the southwest corner of the North Acropolis.
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Staircase leading to the North Acropolis platform.
This staircase is south of the North Acropolis and features reliefs on
the right side.
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The North Acropolis at Yaxhá dates to the late Preclassic period (400
BCE–100 CE).
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The North Acropolis served as palace for the rulers of Yaxhá and their
guests. In view is one of these palatial buildings - the roof
structure is modern to protect the ruin.
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The buildings served as private quarters of the ruler but also
contained administrative and ritual spaces.
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North Acropolis square.
Panoramic view of North Acropolis square.
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Most notably, the North Acropolis features three temples in a triadic
formation.
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West Pyramid of the North Acropolis.
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North Pyramid of the North Acropolis.
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Climbing towards the East Acropolis.
The East Acropolis is on the east side of the city centre, to the south
of the Twin Pyramid Complex. It occupies the highest area of the city
and is surrounded by Squares A, B and C.
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The area that was to become occupied by the East Acropolis was first
levelled from the limestone bedrock in the Middle Preclassic.
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In the Preclassic the East Acropolis was laid out as a triadic pyramid
complex but was radically modified during the Early Classic.
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In its final form the East Acropolis formed a closed complex with
twelve structures covering a total area of 8,100 square metres (87,000
sq ft).
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The main buildings of the East Acropolis were Structure 216, a
pyramid-temple, and Structure 218, a palace.
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The East Acropolis square featured a west-facing monumental stairway
built in the Late Preclassic and remodelled in the Late Classic.
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Temple 216.
Temple 216 (also named Structure 216) is a large pyramid on the east
side of Square A upon the East Acropolis. The remains of the temple
shrine still stand upon the pyramidal base and the total height of the
structure is over 30 metres (100 ft), making it the tallest structure at
Yaxha.
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The earliest structure on the site was the square platform raised in
the Late Preclassic, which consisted of a five-stepped platform with
talud walls and an inset 17.5-metre (57 ft) wide west-facing
monumental stairway, consisting of 32 steps, each with a 0.45 metres
(1.5 ft) tread and a 0.35 metres (1.1 ft) riser. This Late Preclassic
phase stood about 11 metres (36 ft) high.
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In the Early Classic a new version of the structure was built
(Structure 216 sub 1). It was a stepped platform, like its
predecessor, although the stairway of the new version projected
westwards, possibly flanked by balustrades. The maximum height of this
construction phase was 22.75 metres (74.6 ft).
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In the 8th century AD a new version of Structure 216 was built, rising
to a height of 23.25 metres (76.3 ft). The pyramid base had eight
stepped levels with rounded corners and featured a projecting
stairway. The summit shrine had three doorways and two inner chambers.
- Stela 41 was raised at the base of the stairway.
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An offering was found in the fill under the first chamber of the
temple that consisted of seven eccentrics, five of them crafted from
obsidian and two from flint, and a piece of mother of pearl.
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Climbing to the top of Temple 216.
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On top of Temple 216.
The summit shrine had three doorways and two inner chambers.
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View of Lake Yaxha.
View of Lake Yaxha from the top of Temple 216. The island that you can
see far away in the middle of the lake is where Topoxte is located.
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Leaving Temple 216 and Yaxha.
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See also
Source
Location
