Edzna general information
by Redlats
Edzna is the third Mayan ruin we have visited, and of course we were comparing them to each other (our others being Uxmal and Dzibilchultun). The primary temple of Edzna is the Five-Story Temple. Like other main temples, you can see for miles from the top (31 metres high). Also, this temple is built on top of a previous temple or pyramid. Some of the differences: the first four stories of this temple have rooms which might have been living quarters for priests, only the top floor has the temple. Also the style of architecture is different from those we have seen before, more hieroglyphic text and less carvings.
Only part of the site is excavated -- there are numerous mounds that have not been uncovered yet. When one reads about Edzna, you find that (like Uxmal), water is a big issue for Edzna. There were no rivers or cenotes in the area. The Mayans had to devise systems to store water. We were told of a complex system of canals and reservoirs and a moat, but we could not find these water-gathering constructions while we walked about the ruins.
Edzna must have many fewer visiters each year than Uxmal or Dzibilchiltun. There were a couple of guides available, but we only saw them when we were leaving. We got quite a bit of our information from plaques that were set up at various spots (in English, Spanish and Mayan).
JUEGO DE PELOTA - EDZNA
by mtncorg
The native game of pelota was played here as in many other sites throughout Mexico. The object was to knock a ball through hoops that were high on the sides of the pelota field. The pelota field here is found on the south side of the Grand Plaza, a small pyramid rising on the western side.
GRAND ACROPOLIS - EDZNA
by mtncorg
This is the heart of the restored complex at Edzna. Here are the largest excavated temples. They are concentrated on the east side of the Grand Plaza in keeping with the importance of the east in Mayan culture - the side of the daily rebirth of the sun. The Grand Acropolis has a quadangular plan with each side measuring 160 meters. The whole complex is elevated about 8 meters above the Grand Plaza and is accessed by a massive central staircase. Buildings within the Grand Acropolis - Templos de los Cinco Pisos, Templo de la Luna, Templo del Norte - are oriented to the cardinal points of the compass, similar to what can be seen in many areas throughout Mexico.
TEMPLO DEL NORTE - EDZNA
by mtncorg
On the north side of the Grand Acropolis is this semi-excavated temple. Built in many stages, the first dating to 300-500 AD, with stairways across the entire south side of the structure - probably serving as galleries like for the Nochona building. Several other construction phases added structures to the building and concluded with the upper temple being completed between 1100-1400 AD. Several Mayan architectural styles are in evidence on this building as well as throughout the complex - Puuc, Chenes, Chontal.
Pirate ship
Ball Court @ Edzna
Vieja Hechicera
coming down
