The site

Yaxchilan is an ancient Maya city on the bank of the Usumacinta River in Chiapas, Mexico. In the Late Classic period it was one of the most powerful Maya states along the river, dominating smaller sites like Bonampak and locked in long rivalry with Piedras Negras and Palenque. It is especially known for the well-preserved sculptured stone lintels above its doorways, whose hieroglyphic texts record the dynastic history of the city.

Field notes

civilizations

Maya

types

City · Temple · Palace · Ballcourt

built

450 CE — 810 CE

occupied

250 CE — 900 CE

country

Mexico