Yaxchilan

Yaxchilan (ʝaʃtʃiˈlan) is an ancient Maya city located on the bank of the Usumacinta River in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. In the Late Classic Period Yaxchilan was one of the most powerful Maya states along the course of the Usumacinta River, with Piedras Negras as its major rival. Architectural styles in subordinate sites in the Usumacinta region demonstrate clear differences that mark a clear boundary between the two kingdoms. Yaxchilan was a large center, important throughout the Classic era, and the dominant power of the Usumacinta River area. It dominated such smaller sites as Bonampak, and had a long rivalry with Piedras Negras and at least for a time with Tikal; it was a rival of Palenque, with which Yaxchilan warred in 654. The site is particularly known for its well-preserved sculptured stone lintels set above the doorways of the main structures. These lintels, together with the stelae erected before the major buildings, contain hieroglyphic texts describing the dynastic history of the city. Epigraphers think that the ancient name for the city was probably the same as that of its realm, Pa' Chan. paʔ tʃan, meaning "Cleft (or broken) Sky". Early archaeologist Désiré Charnay dubbed the ruins "Lorillard City" in honor of Pierre Lorillard who contributed to defray the expense of his expedition into the Maya zone, while Alfred Maudslay named it "Menché". menˈtʃe Teoberto Maler gave it its modern name, said to mean "Green Stones" in an unspecified Maya language. For some time, the Emblem Gylph was read as Siyaj Chan, or "Sky Born". Yaxchilan is located on the south bank of the River, at the apex of a horseshoe-shaped meander. This loop defends the site on all sides except for a narrow land approach from the south. The site is upriver from the ruins of Piedras Negras, its major rival. Yaxchilan is from the ruins of Bonampak. The site lies in Ocosingo Municipality in the state of Chiapas, on the Mexican side of the international border with Guatemala, which follows the line of river. It is downriver from the Maya site Altar de Sacrificios.