MexicGo Archaeological site in Yucatan, Mexico by Location: Sayil
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Sayil, Mexico
Archaeological Zone - Sayil - Mexico
Information
Cultural importance: Sayil is one of the most important cities in the Puuc region. It is nestled in a narrow valley surrounded by hillocks. The geological characteristics of the place make the water surface is completely absent, so that the ancient people had to pierce the rocky ground to build reservoirs or chultunes for water. Its size, concentration and architectural design, similar to that of Uxmal and Kabah, shows that had a high rate of population and the degree of social organization and craft specialization levels were elevated. The settlement pattern studies have revealed that Sayil included in its area of support sites such as Sayil-Sodzil, Xcavil of Yaxché, Chac and Chac Grotto, which concentrate Sayil together with the amount of 17,000 people.Chronology: Late Classic 800-1000 d.

The site of Sayil lies some 5km along a smaller road heading east off the highway from a junction 5km beyond Kabáh. It is dominated by one major structure, the eighty-metre-long Gran Palacio (Great Palace), built with three storeys, each smaller than the one below. Although several large masks of Chac adorn a frieze around the top of the middle level, the decoration mostly takes the form of bamboo-effect stone pillaring seen more extensively here than at any other Puuc site. The interiors of the middle level, too, are lighter and airier than usual, thanks to the use of broad openings, their lintels supported on fat columns. Few other structures have been cleared, and those that have been are widely scattered in the forest a walk to these remote spots is long, but it gives you a better sense of the scale of the old city, as well as a chance to view wildlife like hummingbirds. From the Gran Palacio a path leads through the forest to the small temple of El Mirador, and in the other direction to a stele, carved with a phallic figure and now protected under a thatched roof. The path (in fact, a former ceremonial sacbé) carries on to the Palacio Sur, a large, little-restored structure with another characteristic bamboo facade.
Must Know
Hours Monday through Sunday from 8:00 to 17:00 hours.

Yucatan INAH Center 01 (999) 9 44 00 33 9 44 00 43 44 40 68 and 9.
Get There
From Mérida, the Federal Highway 261, take direction to Uman, to reach the town of Muna, which is chosen in two ways: first, following the same federal highway passing through the town of Santa Elena and the archaeological site of Kabah. From km. Highway 105 Puuc takes and 7 kilometers further on is Sayil. Visitors can reach the site by public transport.

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