Ancient Civilizations of the Americas Lecture 16 The Mayan Cities of the Puuc Hills

The Puuc hills are some of the few hills of the north Yucatan plain. This region has exceptionally rich soil but no standing or flowing sources of water

Rainfall is highly variable, and the region has a long dry season (Nov. – April). Populations flowed into the region after 700 AD. Water scarcity was solved by the chultun, a Mayan cistern, which concentrated water that fell during the rainy season.

Puuc centers fluoresced between AD, the same period during which the Classic Mayan centers to the south were collapsing. Survey around the centers has revealed a six- tiered settlement hierarchy. Population densities were 290 persons per sq. km.

Uxmal Few hieroglyphic texts. Ethnohistorical sources have the dynasty founded by Ah Kuy Tok Tutil Xiu. The Xiu dynasty was to become dominant in northern Yucatan for centuries. One of his successors was Lord Chak, who bore the title k’ul ajaw. Between AD the various centers of the region came under the domination of Uxmal, under Lord Chak.

Most building at Uxmal were constructed under Lord Chak. The population collapsed precipitously between AD 950 and 1000.