Uxmal – Pyramid of the Magician
Pyramid of the Magician · Pyramid of the Dwarf · Pirámide del Adivino
Late Classic to Postclassic Puuc (600–1000 CE)·Maya (Puuc)·🇲🇽 Yucatán, Puuc Hills, Mexico
About
About Uxmal – Pyramid of the Magician
Iconic rounded-corner Puuc pyramid 40 m high with oval base 46 × 37 m, steep west stair 150 steps at 60°, five superimposed temples (Temple I-V) built over 600 years: Chenes then Puuc. Legend dwarf-brother built overnight; actually 3 construction phases c. 560–1010. West facade Chenes monster mouth, upper Temple IV with Chac masks and Puuc mosaic. Heart of 12 km² Puuc capital 700–1000 CE with Nunnery and Governor's Palace 600 km stone mosaic facade.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Rounded corners acoustics and oval base engineering
Theories
- 01Irregular oval reflects multiple rectangular phases reconciled; Puuc hillock enhancement as artificial mountain echoing Chenes citadels
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Temple I ca.560 CE; pyramid overlay to Temple V c.1000 CE
- Period
- Late Classic to Postclassic Puuc (600–1000 CE)
- Culture
- Maya (Puuc)
- Purpose
- High priest's temple-mountain for Venus and rain god Chac ceremonies
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
Temple I ca.560 CE; pyramid overlay to Temple V c.1000 CE
Initial construction
c. 1535 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
20.3594° N · 89.7714° W · 35 m · 3 mapped features
Pyramid of the Magician massif 40m
pyramidOval pyramid with 150-step west stair
20.3595° N · 89.7714° WTemple IV (top Puuc Chenes temple)
templeUpper temple with long-nose Chac masks
20.3595° N · 89.7713° WGovernor's Palace 98 m mosaic facade
palace100m north Bird Palace with 40,000 stones
20.3630° N · 89.7710° W
Gallery