Edzna

19.597222222222 - 90.229166666667Koordinaten: 19 ° 35 ' 50 "N, 90 ° 13' 45 " W

Edzná is an archaeological site of the Maya in Edzná Valley in the state of Campeche west of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. The developed technology for drainage of rain water and the extraordinary facade of the so-called ' palace pyramid ' make it one of the most interesting Mayan cities. In Edzná are located on an area of ​​about 25 square kilometers numerous temples, administrative buildings and palaces. The architecture was influenced by the styles Puuc, Chenes and Petén.

Location

Edzná is around 65 km ( driving distance ) to the southeast of the city of Campeche; the city of Mérida is located about 195 km to the north.

Water management

Due to the prevailing clayey soil type Edzná the valley is often flooded after rains - this can be done because of the rainy and humid climate throughout the year. To remedy this evil, the local Mayans developed an advanced system of irrigation canals that drained the valley to a lagoon. This lagoon was again used for irrigation channels as a reservoir. Not only that, these channels provided optimal soil moisture, they were also used to fish, as routes and in some cases used for defense. The rainwater was - like many places in Yucatán - collected in artificial tanks ( chultunes ) and used as drinking water.

Place name

The name comes from an old Yucatecan Mayan word that is perhaps an allusion to the Itzaes, a name that was given to several coming from the southeast of Campeche groups. In this case, would mean Edzná "House of Itzaes ". Another possible meaning would be "House of Echoes ", such was heard among the tallest buildings in the town. A third possibility would be the "House of grimaces ," according to a stucco mask, which should have given it to the top of the tallest building.

History

The first evidence of settlement of the area dates back to 400 BC where a society developed, the mixed farming operation. In the following centuries constituted a complex social structure, in which also the monumental buildings and irrigation canals were built.

In the first centuries of our era, a centralized system of government legitimated by the relationship of the rulers to the gods developed in Edzná. In the years between 400 and 1000 of our era the city into a cultural center of the western Yucatán was. Then it came under the domination of Calakmul until it was abandoned in 1450-1500.

Main Structures

  • Plaza Principal ( Main Square). There is a wide rectangular square, where are located the most monumental buildings. In the north and south of the square close to two heaped and fortified Footpaths ( sacbés ). The buildings on the square include the ' platform of the knife' ( Plataforma de los cuchillos ) and the ' court of the ambassadors ' ( Patio de los embajadores ), which is bounded by two buildings, each with four columns to the period go back 1000-1200.
  • Nohochná ( The Big House ). This structure was probably used for administrative tasks, and there was probably something like spectator seating for important ceremonies in the Plaza Principal. This structure had four broad galleries in its upper part, to which one overmolded of coarse pilasters niches had access.
  • Templo del Sur ( Südtempel ). The Südtempel includes five buildings with projecting moldings. Their corners run in its lower part, together with a wide embankment, on which rises the temple. It is dated to the period 600-900.
  • Ball court. It consists of two parallel structures, in which the upper part there were buildings that may be the storage of equipment and served idols, that had to do with the ball game.
  • Templo de los Mascarones (Temple of the Masks ). Here you will find two anthropomorphic representations of the sun god with zoomorphem headdress. It corresponds with his squinting eyes, abraded teeth and his nose and ear jewelery the ideal of beauty of that elite.
  • Pequeña Acrópolis ( Small Acropolis ). On a base, which is dated to 200 BC, there are four buildings which form a central courtyard. Some of the oldest finds Edznás come from here: a Preclassic stucco mask, three stelae from the eighth Baktun (ie 41-435 AD) and pottery from 400-250 BC
  • Gran Acrópolis (Grand Acropolis ). This is a long rectangular space on which rise some monumental structures, namely the house of five stories ( Edificio de los Cinco Zab ), in which five buildings raise stepped over a base like a pyramid. In these floors there are numerous rooms with Kragsteingewölben and in the upper part of the actual temple with cross plan, which once adorned with stucco figures roof structure is partially preserved. The large - sometimes double - door openings in the facade of the building is extremely unusual; they led to speculation as to whether the whole building could have served simultaneously as a temple pyramid and as ' Palace of pyramids. On the roof of the temple, a high towering multi-part ornamental comb ( Crestería ) rises. Entering the "Edificio de los Cinco Piso " is no longer possible since 2010.
  • Templo del norte (north temple ). It consisted of a base with a wide staircase. The shrine at the top was changed at least four times in the course of time. Before the temple there is a "C " shaped platform that is part of the recent settlement period Edznás (1200-1400 AD).
  • Patio puuc. This space is bounded by some ashlar, which are elongated, rectangular or round shaped. In the north adjoining building there is also such stones with large triangles and circles as markers. Alongside these, from these elements composite reliefs representing Chaac, as well as some data of the Mayan calendar. At the entrance, there was a kind of steam bath, which was used to religious purification.
  • La vieja hechicera ( The old witch ). This is located another major edifice Edznás, 800 m northeast of the Edificio de los Cinco Zab. The corners of the building are rounded and based on the eastern side is a staircase. In the upper part of the building was a small sanctuary.
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