Theory: Geography as a Challenge

Geographically speaking, Uxmal is not located near any sources of water. Typically, ancient civilizations were built near bodies of water in order to create an irrigation system, allow for drinking water, and to aid transportation. To cope with the terrain, the Maya built underwater cisterns called chultunes - which held up to 6,000 gallons of water - to collect rainwater (which was also sparse), but this did not solve the issue of transportation.

Despite the challenge, Uxmal flourished during its time and was one of the largest cities at around 25,000 people. The terrain is incorporated within the construction of the city, rather than being altered to fit it. Overcoming obstacles that exist naturally within a site is a challenge even today, and it is impressive that Mayans could create such a well-preserved area that interacts harmoniously with a site regardless of difficult conditions.

diagram of Yucatan peninsula, depicting isolation of Uxmal