Description:
The House of the Governor is the first extensive study of the northern Maya site of Uxmal where the splendid, complex ‘palace’ once stood. This book makes important contributions to our knowledge of Uxmal’s place in Maya architecture.

Although native Maya sources credit construction of the building to the ancient Xiu tribe, this author’s examination of Maya and Spanish colonial documents reveals the Xiu probably arrived after the House of the Governor was built. The magnificent edifice itself might have housed the great Uxmal ruler Lord Chac and his powerful high priests. Evidence further suggests that the House of the Governor was also an important administrative center for the northern Yucatan area, as well as an astronomical observatory.


CONTENTS:

Preface......XIX

Introduction......3

PART ONE: HISTORY AND FUNCTION

Chapter 1. Location and General Description......7

Chapter 2. Historiography of Uxmal and the House of the Governor......17

Chapter 3. Puuc Chronology and the Dating of the House of the Governor......25

Chapter 4. Uxmal and the Xiu......52

Chapter 5. A Historical Interpretation of the Inscriptions of Uxmal......68

Chapter 6. Function of the House of the Gobernor......75

PART TWO. ARCHITECTURE

Chapter 7. Construction......89

Chapter 8. Plan and Massing......113

Chapter 9. Visual and Proportional Effects......132

PART THREE. ARCHITECTURAL SCULPTURE

Chapter 10. Human Figural Sculpture......149

Chapter 11. Mask Panels......182

Chapter 12. Step^Frets......203

Chapter 13. Latticework......219

Chapter 14. Biceplalic Jaguar Throne......229

Chapter 15. Epilogue......237

Appendix. Summary of Mexican Archaeological Activities and Reconstruction at Uxmal and the House of the Gobernor......243

Notes......247

Bibliography......275

Index......293