Verified20.1778° N · 89.6525° W · 50 m
Sayil Archaeological Zone
Sayil
Maya Late Classic 700–1000 CE·Maya (Puuc)·🇲🇽 Yucatán, Mexico
About
About Sayil Archaeological Zone
Puuc palace-city 3.5 km² with Gran Palacio 70 m three-storey 90 rooms, tallest Puuc palace, independent western Puuc polity 800–1000 CE.
This entry is brief — help us grow it. Suggest a source or correction.
Why it mattersArchaeological landmark for Maya (Puuc) in Yucatán; type-site demonstrating multi-storey palace capital and regional exchange.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and chronology of Sayil Archaeological Zone within Maya Late Classic 700–1000 CE
- 02Relationship to neighboring polities
Theories
- 01Maya (Puuc) ceremonial center for multi-storey palace capital
- 02Regional capital controlling trade and tribute network
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.700–1000 CE
- Period
- Maya Late Classic 700–1000 CE
- Culture
- Maya (Puuc)
- Builders
- Maya (Puuc builders)
- Purpose
- Multi-storey palace capital
- Abandoned
- c.1000 CE
- Rediscovered
- 1888 Maler
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.700–1000 CE
Sayil Archaeological Zone construction phase
20th century
Modern excavations
On the ground
Structures & features
20.1778° N · 89.6525° W · 50 m · 2 mapped features
Sayil Archaeological Zone central feature
featureMain architectural feature
20.1778° N · 89.6525° WSayil Archaeological Zone secondary sector
sectorSecondary sector
20.1788° N · 89.6515° W