Pyramid of the Magician

The pyramid is the central structure in the Maya ruin complex of Uxmal, in the Puuc region of Mexico, and is located at the entrance to the central court. It is positioned on the eastern side of the city, with its western face overlooking the Nunnery Quadrangle, and is situated so that its western stairway faces the setting sun at the summer solstice. Like other Puuc sites, Uxmal flourished from 600–1000 AD, with the great building period between 700 and 1000 AD. The name Uxmal means 'thrice-built' in the Mayan language. The city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The exact height of the pyramid is in dispute and has been reported as tall as 40 metres (131 feet) and as low as 27.6 metres (90.5 feet). The accepted median height is 35 metres (115 feet), with the base measuring approximately 69 by 49 metres (227 by 162 feet). It is considered unique because of its rounded sides, considerable height, steep slope and unusual elliptical base. Two staircases lead to the top, both at a steep 60° angle. The Western Stairs, which overlook the Nunnery, are narrower and richly decorated, with images of the hooked-nose rain god Chaac along both sides. The Eastern Stairs are wider.

The Maya followed the practice of superimposition, gradually increasing the dimensions by building new structures on top of existing ones. Marta Foncerrada del Molina dates the beginning of construction to the sixth century, continuing periodically through the 10th century, on the basis of an AD 560 ± 50 radiocarbon date for the Lower West Temple and stylistic dates for the inner temples.

Temple I, the oldest, is exposed on the west side at the pyramid's base and dates from approximately the 6th century AD, deduced from a date inscribed on the door lintel and from radiocarbon dating. Its façade is heavily decorated with masks of Chaac, a characteristic of the Chenes style, though the masks may have been added later. Temple II is entered through an opening in the upper part of the eastern staircase and is only partially excavated; its central chamber is supported by columns. Temple III is built onto the rear of Temple II and consists of a small central shrine and an antechamber. Temple IV, entered from the west side, has the richest decoration: its façade represents the mask of Chaac, whose jaws serve as the door, and is entirely covered with masks of the rain god and lattice ornamentation. Temple V, also known as the House of the Magician or Soothsayer, is the final building phase, sits atop the pyramid, dates from the ninth century, and is composed of three rooms.

The earlier phases were built in the Puuc style, rather bare on the lower part and very ornate at higher levels. Chenes characteristics are found throughout the upper temples.