---
title: Yaxchilan
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Yaxchilan/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Yaxchilan
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Yaxchilan, located on the banks of the Usumacinta River in the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico, was an important Late Classic [Maya](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Maya/) centre. The Maya dated the founding of their [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) to 320 CE, but Yaxchilan flourished between c. 580 and c. 800 CE, benefitting from commerce via the Usumacinta River and trading in copal resin and dyes processed from Brazil wood. Remains of stone pilings suggest the site once had a bridge or toll gate. Impressive in both [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/) and [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/), the site displays evidence of [warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) before its collapse in the 9th century CE.
Unfortunately, the buildings of Yaxchilan have suffered from damage and erosion by floods over the centuries. However, further from the river are several small hills on the west and east sides upon which platforms and terraces were constructed. Much of the surviving architecture is in the Petén style, as seen at sites such as [Tikal](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tikal/), and contact between the two sites is established through royal inter-marriages. In addition, narrow multiple entrances and ornate roof combs remind of [Palenque](https://www.worldhistory.org/Palenque/).
One of the most impressive Petén-style buildings is the symmetrical Structure 33, built c. 750 CE, which is approached by a double platform with staircases and whose comb is supported by interior buttressing. The structure was built in honour of the mid-8th century CE Yaxchilan ruler Bird-Jaguar (ruled 752-768 CE) whose likeness appeared in stucco decorations in the centre of the building's roof comb. In front of the building is a carved stalactite which represents a sacred cave. Bird-Jaguar went on to expand Yaxchilan and constructed no fewer than eleven more buildings and 33 monuments.
Yaxchilan is also noteworthy for its sculpture, both on free standing stelae and on buildings, especially lintels where the scenes can only be seen from directly below. Early figures are depicted from the front and are relatively unremarkable, but from the mid-8th century CE figures are rendered in profile and designs become more dynamic, often framed by Maya glyphs. Stela 11 shows two standing figures in costume on the front, probably signifying the accession of the ruler Bird-Jaguar alongside his father and, in a quite different style, the reverse side again shows Bird-Jaguar, this time represented as the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) Chahk, attacking three kneeling victims with his sceptre.
[  Carved Lintel, Yaxchilan Dennis Jarvis (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3578/carved-lintel-yaxchilan/ "Carved Lintel, Yaxchilan")Scenes on limestone lintels, carved in high relief, typically portray rituals such as a worshipper drawing blood from his tongue in the presence of a priest and Bird-Jaguar standing over a kneeling captive. Another vivid scene, from [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) 23, shows a [giant](https://www.worldhistory.org/Giants/) double-headed snake creature from the mouths of which emerge a warrior and the [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) and rain god [Tlaloc](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tlaloc/), who both tower over a kneeling worshipper, identified as Lady Xok', wife of the Yaxchilan ruler Shield-Jaguar (r. 681-742 CE), who sees the monster in a blood-letting induced vision. This scene, as indicated by the glyphs, occurred on 23rd October 681 CE, the accession of Itzamnaaj Bahlam II, 'Shield Jaguar the Great'. Traces of red, greens, and yellows indicate that the panels were once brightly painted. These violent scenes are amongst the earliest to show such graphic episodes of religious life and [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/), although they would later become common in the art of the [Toltec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Toltec_Civilization/) and [Aztec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/) civilizations.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Coe, M.D. *The Maya.* Thames & Hudson, 2011.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500289026/)
- [Kubler, G. *The Art and Architecture of Ancient America, Third Edition.* Yale University Press, 1984.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0300053258/)
- [Miller, M.E. *The Art of Mesoamerica.* Thames & Hudson, 2006.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/050020392X/)
- [Nichols, D.L. *The Oxford Handbook of Mesoamerican Archaeology.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0195390938/)
- [Phillips, C. *The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Aztec & Maya& Central America - Including The Aztec..* Lorenz Books, 2007.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0754817296/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Timeline
- **320 CE**: Traditional [Maya](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Maya/) founding date of [Yaxchilan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Yaxchilan/).
- **c. 580 CE - c. 800 CE**: [Maya](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Maya/) [Yaxchilan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Yaxchilan/) flourishes.
- **681 CE**: Accession of Shield-Jaguar at [Yaxchilan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Yaxchilan/).
- **752 CE**: Accession of Bird-Jaguar at [Yaxchilan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Yaxchilan/).
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2015, February 09). Yaxchilan. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Yaxchilan." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 09, 2015. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Yaxchilan." *World History Encyclopedia*, 09 Feb 2015, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 09 February 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.