2 years, 10 months ago
What were the chambers of the Uxmal House of Turtles like? Did the House of Turtles have a room covered with Gold, at one time?
What was the design and architecture of the House of Turtles?
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House of Turtles.
Vintage photograph taken in the 1860´s by artist Désiré Charnay at a time when Uxmal archeological site was still covered by the tropical forest.
"La Casa de las Tortugas" (in English the House of the Turtles), is a simple rectangular building on the terrace south of the ball court. The temple is named for the frieze of small turtles in procession around the top of the building. Though much smaller and less elaborate than other structures, its harmony and elegance makes it one of the gems of Uxmal.
The turtles decorate the cornice moulding at the top of the building at more or less regular intervals. The turtles are realistically rendered, though their shells are decorated with decorative reliefs. It was believed that turtles suffered with man at times of drought and would also pray to Chac, the god of rain. Turtles are associated with water and the earth in Maya mythology.
The function of the House of the Turtles is unclear, but it is clearly an integral structure in the Uxmal complex - its central doorways on the north and south are aligned with the archway and central doorway of the major building called the Nunnery. Although a rather small building (about 30 by 11 meters), the House of the Turtles is beautifully proportioned and has been hailed as a superb example of the Puuc style.
No gold or treasures of any kind had been found inside the House of Turtles during the last two centuries.
One of the many turtles decorating the building known as the House of Turtles.
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