An Introduction to Maya Ruins

Barbara McKenzie portrays Mayan ruin sites, monumental ceremonial spaces that were often astronomically aligned, from her six trips, organized by Marion Canavan, to Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala. “The Maya were concerned with creating monumental ceremonial spaces,” says McKenzie, “often astronomically aligned, within which ritual and political theater could take place.” A map of twenty-eight sites of Mayan ruins guides the visitor back in history into the world of the ancient civilization.

There are nineteen sites in Yucatan, Mexico. Ek Balam is known for its temple/tomb “The Acropolis”. Izamal is an ancient city of twelve large pyramids. Of the Puuc sites, Uxmal was the most important ceremonial center of the region of Puuc; Kabah, is the second largest ceremonial center; and Edzná is the southernmost. Xlapak, only has one building in relatively good condition and is close to Labná – it may be a part of it. Chacmultan is split into three sites. Dzibilnoac is at the center of the Yucatan peninsula. Hochob, Sayil, and Hormiguero are also in the area. Balamku is known for its well preserved stucco façade. Chicanná is neighbors with Becán. Xpujil is an example of the Rio Bec style. Rio Bec sites are isolated and may have been “haciendas.” Kohunlich is known for the Temple of the Masks. Calakmul is the home of Chichen Itzá. The site was a major superpower in the area, of over 6,250 structures, and rival to Tikal.

West of Guatemala are three sites: Bonampak, Yaxchilan, and Palenque. Palenque is built upon terraces looking over the coastal plain with its back to the Chiapas Mountains. Two main sites are in Belize: Lamanai, one of the longest continuously occupied cities; and Xunantunich, was possibly a regional capital. Three sites lie in Guatemala: Tikal, the largest known Mayan city; Uaxactun, smaller and north of Tikal; and Quirigua, on the border with Honduras. In Honduras, Copan was dependent on Quirigua for trade route access and mineral resources.

About the Author

I'm Melanie, the founder of BermudaQuest and an archaeology undergraduate at the University of New Mexico. I love writing about ancient and modern cultures. My goal is to make information about our origins available to everyone [in simple English!]