Theory: Hierarchy Among Spaces

The site at Uxmal has not only large gathering spaces such as in the courtyard of the Nunnery Quadrangle and the Ballcourt, but has contrasting smaller spaces as well. These contrasting smaller spaces can be found within the interior facing rooms of the Nunnery Quadrangle as well as in the Adivino or the Magician's pyramid. The size of these spaces informs one as to what the function of the building was even if there is no written record. For example, no one is entirely sure as to what was the purpose of the Nunnery Quadrangle, but because the rooms within in the buildings are smaller and interior facing, it is assumed that the building was used as living quarters for either priests, soldiers, or students.

Due to the shape of the Pyramid of the Magician, the spaces inside of the temple thus needed to have hierarchy as well. You can see from the section cut that as you reach the top of the building, the rooms become increasingly smaller in scale.