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42.0. Yaxuná 731 T H E C A R N E G I E M A Y A Yaxuná is a relatively small site located approximately 20 km south of Chichén Itzá. The structures of Yaxuná were some of the largest constructions in the northern Maya lowlands erected during the Middle Preclassic and Classic periods , and the longest known causeway (sacbé) extends from Yaxuná to Cobá, 100 km to the east. Aboundary settlement of Cobá, Yaxuná eventually fell victim to conquest by Chichén Itzá. The site was surveyed by John P. O’Neill and Gustav Strömsvik in the 1930s. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, George Brainerd surveyed the site and reported pottery from the east and west coasts of Yucatán, specifically from Cobá and from the Puuc region. 42.1. JOHN P. O’NEILL Survey of Yaxuná YB 32:88–89, 1933 The ruins of Yaxuná, located a short distance to the south of Chichén Itzá, are archaeologically important because their architecture differs strongly from that of Chichén, because they are allied ceramically to the cities of the Puuc and Cobá, and because they form the apparent terminus of the great ancient highway running westward from Cobá. In preparation for possible future excavations, Mr. O’Neill and Mr. Strömsvik devoted a week in early February to mapping the site. Yaxuná is reached from Chichén Itzá in seven hours on horseback by a trail which runs from Pisté to the ruined hacienda of Xcolup and thence through the village of Yaxuná; or in six hours via Old Chichén and Yulá. The present Maya village of Yaxuná lies about 1 km west of the ruins. The survey began by a preliminary examination from the top of a high, centrally located pyramid. It and all other structures rise from a flat plain covered with a low, sparse growth of bush. This permitted the establishment by triangulation of reference points 732 YAXUNÁ upon all important platforms or pyramids, from which traverse lines were run wherever necessary. Measurements were made almost entirely by stadia readings, the tape being used only in rare instances where walls were discernible, or for determining short distances upon mounds. The site is roughly diamond shaped, the short axis measuring about 0.5 km, and the long axis (north by northeast) a little less than 1 km. This layout includes a group to the south not before reported. A cenote near the ruins was found to be 300 m, N 53 W, from the northwest corner of the platform which supports the northernmost pyramids and the only standing structure at the site. A large artificial mound is said by the natives to stand 1 km north of this cenote. On a clear day, when the sun is near or past the meridian, the Castillo at Chichén can be seen from the high central pyramid of Yaxuná. Under especially favorable conditions some of the other structures at Chichén are visible by the aid of the theodolite. Observations for bearing and distance were therefore made, which show Yaxuná to be 17.8 km, S 32 degrees 00'W (true) from the Castillo. Referring to the recorded position of the Castillo at Chichén, the latitude of the ruins of Yaxuná is 8.3', or 20degrees 32.6'N; and the longitude , +5'30", or 88 degrees 39'40"W. ...

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