Rambles in Yucatan; or, Notes of Travel Through the Peninsula / Including a Visit to the Remarkable Ruins of Chi-Chen, Kabah, Zayi, and Uxmal. 2nd ed

by Benjamin Moore Norman

From the centre of the building to the recess, at the northern extremity of the building, the ornaments have mostly crumbled off, and are now lying at the base in ruins; and the other parts, contiguous, seem ready to follow the example. The rear of this edifice is more plainly finished; the main part of the centre has fallen.

Over the principal doorway are the remains of a female figure, in a sitting posture. The hands and legs have fallen. It has a fine head-dress of cap and tassels, and neck ornaments. The waist looks quite natural, and the whole was finely finished. On each side of this figure was hieroglyphical writing. The inner rooms of the centre of the Governor’s House still show the places of excavations, made some years ago, by the curate of Ticul.

The extensive pile of ruins designated as the Nuns’ House, is situated a few rods distant, in a northerly direction from the Governor’s House. It comprises four great ranges of edifices, placed on the sides of a quadrangular terrace, measuring about eleven hundred feet around, and varying in height from fifteen to twenty-four feet, its sides corresponding to the cardinal points. The principal entrance is through an acute-angled arch doorway, in the centre of the southern range, through which I entered into a spacious court. This range is upwards of two hundred feet long, twenty-five broad, and sixteen high; containing eight rooms on either side of the principal entrance, which are now in good preservation. The inner and outer façades are variously ornamented. Among these I observed signs, symbolical of deities and of Time, as represented to us as symbolized among the ancient Mexicans whose customs have reached us.

THE NUNS’ HOUSE,
UXMAL RUINS.

The opposite, or northern range, by its superior elevation, and more elaborate work, was evidently the principal portion of this immense structure. Its foundation, which was twenty-four feet high, is now much broken. It has contained rooms and corridors, the walls and pillars of which are still remaining. This range has a wide terrace, or promenade, in front; which, from its elevated position, overlooks the whole ruins. The front wall presents five doorways, the lintels and sides of which have fallen, and filled up the rooms with their crumbling ruins. It measures about two hundred and forty-six feet in length, and twenty-five in width, and its height is now only about twenty-six feet. Something like one-third of the ornaments upon the façade yet remain, which bear evidence of great power of combination, and extraordinary skill in the building. No part of the edifice, however, is perfect.

The east and west ranges stand upon foundations which are ten feet high. The ranges are about one hundred and forty feet in length, thirty-four in breadth, and twenty-five in height, having four doorways, divided into eight rooms each. Those of the east are in good preservation—those of the west are much fallen and broken. The largest one of the rooms lies on the east side, and measures thirty feet by twelve. The others range about twelve by eighteen; having ante-rooms on either side, nine by twelve. The height of the ceiling is uniform throughout, and the walls are finished with a clean, white, hard substance. The finish and style, as well as the arrangement of the ornaments, on all sides of these walls, are different. They are much broken, and many pieces are lost, which renders it quite impossible to get at the designs.

The northern front, no doubt, was the principal one, as I judge from the remains, as well as from the fact, that it is more elevated than the others. The southern range is more plain, both in its front and rear. The eastern façade is filled with elaborate ornaments, differing entirely from the others, and better finished. The western façade is much broken. The remains of two great serpents, however, are still quite perfect; their heads turned back, and entwining each other, they extend the whole length of the façade, through a chaste ground-work of ornamental lines, interspersed with various rosettes. They are put together by small blocks of stone, exquisitely worked, and arranged with the nicest skill and precision. The heads of the serpents are adorned with pluming feathers and tassels, their mouths widely extended, and their tails represent the rattle divisions.