A presentation by Maya Archaeologist and Director of the Uxmal Archaeological Site, José Huchim at Texas A&M University (TAMU) in College Station, Texas.
The pre-Hispanic city of Uxmal, in Yucatán, Mexico, has been continuously populated due to the natural resources that continue to surround it. We’ve extracted part of the secrets hidden in its monumentality and beauty. What it was and what it is, is the result of the knowledge that allowed for the construction of palaces, temples, and breathtaking works of architecture and hydraulics, which allowed the city to thrive for over 1,500 years.
Its architectural genius, minutely expressed in the decoration of its buildings and its mastery of engineering, allowed for the formation of a regional political power, evidenced in over 350 archaeological sites found in the Santa Elena Valley and beyond to what is today Yucatan.
Three decades ago, we set out to recover and scientifically research Uxmal and the Puuc region along with its native heirs, the local Maya people. We Maya have recovered our identity through the restoration and exploration of our heritage, and the training that has resulted from it.
The lecture at TAMU began with the attributes that led to Uxmal and the Puuc Route being named World Heritage Sites, nestled in a natural environment that made for a very unique architectural style in a specific region.
The presentation mentioned research work related to anchor projects, such as architecture, the study of ceramics, settlement patterns, chronology, the exploitation of natural resources, architectural restoration with native materials, and the study of construction materials.
The use of technology in archaeology and the diagnosis of deterioration of buildings was also discussed.
The lecture was able to provide a clear idea of some of the activities that take place in Uxmal and the Puuc Route.
José Huchim is a Maya archaeologist, with a Master’s Degree in Architecture specialized in conservation. He has been a researcher at the Mexican National Institute for Anthropology and History since 1986, and leader of its Uxmal Project since 1992.
He was named Director of the Uxmal Archaeological Site and the Puuc Route in 2006, and has led archaeological research, recovery and restoration projects using traditional techniques in the Puuc Region