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House of the Iguana (Casa de la Iguana)

Uxmal Archaeological Zone, Uxmal, Yuc., Mexico

The Iguana House lies south of the Bird Square. It consists of a single long portico supported by eleven columns and oriented to the west. During the excavations, the building was found to be completely destroyed, but it has now been reconstructed. Therefore, nothing definite can be said about the decoration of the facade or other features of the structure.
Maya Cities of Mexico: Uxmal
photo
Jermaine

The Iguana House in Uxmal, also known as the Iguana Building, was likely built around 900 AD. It features decoration that is markedly different from what can be seen in the already well-known buildings of Uxmal, such as the Governor's Palace or the Quadrangle of the Birds. The frieze of the structure was designed much more simply, softly, and with very few ornaments at the top of the set of three columns, alternating with lattice patterns and smooth seats. Here, the Puuc style can be found combined with elements of classical design. Its use is unknown, but there are assumptions that it was intended for civil administration or as housing for players before the game began, because it is located near the ballcourt in Uxmal.

The Iguana House is one of the few that has an elongated vault without intermediate supporting walls, with a large vaulted porch 29 meters long and only three meters wide, which covers the entire facade of the building and consists of 12 spans and 11 columns. This type of entrance is uncommon in the Puuc region and is considered an example of Chichen Itza's influence on Uxmal's architecture. The Iguana House in Uxmal is located near the Pyramid of the Soothsayer, but even closer to the ballcourt.

Sources:

https://mayanpeninsula.com/casa-de-la-iguana-en-uxmal/

photo
Jermaine

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