Uxmal Facts for Kids

Panorama of Uxmal

Uxmal is an amazing ancient city built by the Maya people. Its ruins are found in Mexico, in the state of Yucatán. The Maya started building this city around the year 500 AD. Experts believe that about 25,000 people once lived here!

Most of the impressive buildings you can see today were constructed between the years 700 and 1100. After 1200, it seems that no new buildings were added. The powerful family that ruled Uxmal moved their main city somewhere else. Because of this, fewer and fewer people lived in Uxmal.

When Spanish explorers arrived in the 1550s, Uxmal was still somewhat important. However, it was probably left empty soon after, as the Spanish did not build any new towns nearby.

What is Uxmal?
Who Built Uxmal?
What Can You See at Uxmal?
Why Did Uxmal Decline?
Uxmal Today
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What is Uxmal?

Uxmal is a very important archaeological site. It shows us how the ancient Maya lived and built their cities. The name "Uxmal" means "thrice built" in the Maya language. This might refer to how many times the main pyramid was rebuilt or improved.

Who Built Uxmal?

The Maya people built Uxmal. They were a very advanced civilization in Mesoamerica. They were skilled in writing, math, art, and building. Uxmal was one of their most important cities in the Puuc region of Yucatán.

What Can You See at Uxmal?

Uxmal has many amazing buildings. Each one tells a story about the Maya people.

Pyramid of the Magician

The Pyramid of the Magician is the tallest and most famous building at Uxmal. It's unique because it has an oval shape, unlike most Maya pyramids which are square. Legend says it was built in a single night by a magical dwarf! It was actually built in several stages over many years.

Nunnery Quadrangle

The Nunnery Quadrangle is a large courtyard surrounded by four buildings. Its name was given by the Spanish, who thought it looked like a European convent for nuns. The buildings are decorated with beautiful stone carvings. These carvings show symbols of the Maya gods, snakes, and geometric patterns.

Governor's Palace

The Governor's Palace is one of the most beautiful buildings in Uxmal. It sits on a large platform and has a very long facade covered in detailed carvings. These carvings include images of the rain god Chaac, serpents, and other symbols. It shows how skilled the Maya builders and artists were.

House of the Turtles

Near the Governor's Palace is a smaller building called the "House of the Turtles." It gets its name from the carvings of turtles along its upper edge. Turtles were important to the Maya, often linked to water and fertility.

Why Did Uxmal Decline?

After 1200 AD, Uxmal started to lose its power. One reason might have been changes in trade routes. Another big reason could have been a long period of drought, meaning not enough rain. The Maya depended on rain for their crops, so a lack of water would have made it hard to live in the city. The ruling family likely moved to a place with more resources, and the city was slowly abandoned.

Uxmal Today

Today, Uxmal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's a very important place that needs to be protected for future generations. Many tourists visit Uxmal to see its ancient wonders and learn about the Maya civilization. It's a fantastic place to imagine what life was like long ago!