Mexican Pre-Hispanic Sites Image Gallery

Dr. Carl Thurman, professor of Biology at the University of Northern Iowa, traveled as a student in the 1970's and 1980's to Mexico and visited a number of Pre-Hispanic sites, including several Mayan ruins.

All photographs were taken by Carl Thurman who has designated a Creative Commons 4.0 attribution license to each photo. This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon the original work as long as they credit Carl Thurman for the original creation. The photographs in the image gallery are sorted by alphabetically by archaeological site.

Credit: Project Editor - Ellen Neuhaus, Associate Professor & Digital Scholarship Librarian [Significant editorial contributions were made as well as the verification & identification of images. In addition, each site was researched.]

Related collections by Carl L. Thurman in UNI ScholarWorks:

Arrangement of Images

To browse all of the images, see the entries listed below, which are arranged alphabetically by site name.

OR

Click on one of the subgroups to view images related to the specific sub-collection, arranged alphabetically in columns in order of site visit.

Sub-Collections:

El Tajín	Kabáh	Tulum
La Venta	Uxmal	Palenque
Edzná	Chichén Itzá

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Chichén Itzá [photo 01]

11-1984

Alt Text: Two segmented stone columns lying parallel on the ground with snake head carvings. Description: Chichén Itzá, Great Ball Court, Rattlesnakes.
Chichén Itzá [photo 02]

11-1984

Alt Text: Birdseye view of grassy fields bordered by stone walls and structures surrounded by forest. Description: Chichén Itzá, Great Ball Court.
Chichén Itzá [photo 03]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of long grassy field bordered by stone walls and structures. Description: Chichén Itzá, Great Ball Court.
Chichén Itzá [photo 04]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of long grassy field bordered by stone walls and a stone structure at one end. Description: Chichén Itzá, Great Ball Court.
Chichén Itzá [photo 05]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of a panel of stone carvings including humanoid and abstract designs. Description: Chichén Itzá, Ball Court Wall.
Chichén Itzá [photo 06]

11-1984

Alt Text: Set of several stone structures including a tiered step pyramid. Description: Chichén Itzá, Temple of the Jaguars.
Chichén Itzá [photo 07]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of a stone building with doorways and carved designs on the columns. Carved stone animal statue located in doorway. Description: Chichén Itzá, Temple of the Jaguars.
Chichén Itzá [photo 08]

11-1984

Alt Text: Two stone structures that are flat topped and located in a grassy field bordered by forest. Description: Chichén Itzá, Platforms of Eagles and Jaguars.
Chichén Itzá [photo 09]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large tiered stone step pyramid with structure on top located in a grassy field. Description: Chichén Itzá, Platform of Eagels and El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcan).
Chichén Itzá [photo 10]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of a stone humanoid statue on top of a large carved serpent's head. Description: Chichén Itzá, Warrior and Serpent Head.
Chichén Itzá [photo 11]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of a large profile of a sitting humanoid in a plaza in front stone columns and a structure. Description: Chichén Itzá, Temple of the Warriors, Chacmool.
Chichén Itzá [photo 12]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of a side wall of stone structure with stone carvings jutting from the structure. Description: Chichén Itzá, Temple of the Warriors, Upper Wall, Toltec Frescos.
Chichén Itzá [photo 13]

11-1984

Alt Text: Series of segmented stone columns topped with capitals located in front of a tiered step stone pyramid with a structure on top. Description: Chichén Itzá, Temple of the Warriors, South Columns in Form of Warrior.
Chichén Itzá [photo 14]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large segmented stone column set next to several stone structures. Description: Chichén Itzá, Altar Platform Supported by Atlantean Figures, Toltec.
Chichén Itzá [photo 15]

11-1984

Alt Text: Dirt path leading to a large stone structure. Path bordered by forest. Description: Chichén Itzá, Sacred Way.
Chichén Itzá [photo 16]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large tiered stone structure with large number of stone columns arranged on two sides of the structures in a grassy plain. Surrounded by forest. Description: Chichén Itzá, Temple of the Warriors.
Chichén Itzá [photo 17]

11-1984

Alt Text: Body of water bordered by high stone cliffs and vegetation with a stone structure in the foreground. Description: Chichén Itzá, Sacred Cenote (Well of Sacrifice).
Chichén Itzá [photo 18]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of a body of water bordered by stone cliffs and vegetation. Description: Chichén Itzá, Sacred Cenote.
Chichén Itzá [photo 19]

11-1984

Alt Text: A man standing next to a segmented stone column with capital. Part of a series of columns. Description: Chichén Itzá, Market Place.
Chichén Itzá [photo 20]

11-1984

Alt Text: Stone structure with a line of several jointed stone columns with capitals. Description: Chichén Itzá, The Steam Bath.
Chichén Itzá [photo 21]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large stepped stone structure with round tower with doorways or windows. Description: Chichén Itzá, El Caracol (Observatory), Tower built by both Mayans and Toltecs.
Chichén Itzá [photo 22]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of a complex of stone structures surrounded by forest. Description: Chichén Itzá, El Caracol (Observatory) and Sweat Baths.
Chichén Itzá [photo 23]

11-1984

Alt Text: Jumble of stones cascading from large stone structure with several stone pillars in front. Description: Chichén Itzá, Temple of the Wall Panels.
Chichén Itzá [photo 24]

11-1984

Alt Text: Miltistoried sprawling stone building with doorways and windows. Description: Chichén Itzá, The Nunnery (House of Nuns) and La Iglesia.
Chichén Itzá [photo 25]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup of a stone structure with doorway and several layers of abstract friezes. Description: Chichén Itzá, La Iglesia.
Chichén Itzá [photo 26]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large stone structure with stairs and topped by rectangular structure with windows and abstract frieze at the top. Description: Chichén Itzá, Temple of the Red House.
Edzná [photo 01]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large stone step pyramid complex with steps leading down to a grass plaza located in front of the complex. Description: Edzná, Grand Acropolis (Central Area).
Edzná [photo 02]

11-1984

Alt Text: Two large stone step pyramids with a grass plaza in front. Description: Edzná, Grand Acropolis (Central Area).
Edzná [photo 03]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large stepped stone pyramid surrounded by forest. Description: Edzná.
Edzná [photo 04]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large stepped stone pyramid. Description: Edzná, Temple of Five Stories.
Edzná [photo 05]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of a tunnel located under the steps of a large stone pyramid. Description: Edzná, Temple of Five Stories, Tunnel Under the Stairs.
Edzná [photo 06]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of three carved hieroglyphs located as part of steps of a stone pyramid. Description: Edzná, Temple of Five Stories, Stone Carved Hieroglyphs Stairway.
Edzná [photo 07]

11-1984

Alt Text: Round stone column (with capitol) located in a doorway. Description: Edzná.
Edzná [photo 08]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of the top of a large multistoried stone pyramid. Description: Edzná, Temple of Five Stories, Top Edifice.
El Tajín [photo 01]

10-1976

Alt Text: Large stepped stone pryramid with recessed niches. Description: El Tajín, Pyramid of the Niches.
El Tajín [photo 02]

10-1976

Alt Text: Stone block structure with roof and two doorways. Description: El Tajín, View from the top of the Pyramid of the Niches.
El Tajín [photo 03]

10-1976

Alt Text: Group of stone structures including pyramids. Description: El Tajín, Central Plaza from Pyramid of Niches.
El Tajín [photo 04]

10-1976

Alt Text: Stepped stone pryramid complex including tree covered hill behind the structures. Description: El Tajín, Pyramid next to the Pyramid of the Niches.
El Tajín [photo 05]

10-1976

Alt Text: Large stone structures. Description: El Tajín, Platforms in Main Plaza.
El Tajín [photo 06]

10-1976

Alt Text: Complex of large stone structures covering hillside. Description: El Tajín, Second Center.
El Tajín [photo 07]

10-1976

Alt Text: Large stone building complex with stairs and structures. Description: El Tajín, Second Center, Main Plaza.
El Tajín [photo 08]

10-1976

Alt Text: Large stone structure with a line of absract friezes at the base of the section roof. Description: El Tajín, Plaza II, Abstract Design on Friezes.
El Tajín [photo 09]

10-1976

Alt Text: Large stone structure with parts in a jumble of stones with a grass plaza located in front. Description: El Tajín, Plaza II [photo 01].
El Tajín [photo 10]

10-1976

Alt Text: Closeup view of a stone structure with a regular patterns. Description: El Tajín, Plaza II [photo 02].
El Tajín [photo 11]

10-1976

Alt Text: Couple of stone multistoried stone structures with a jumble of stones cascading in front and regular abstract designs on the walls. Description: El Tajín, Plaza II [photo 03].
El Tajín [photo 12]

10-1976

Alt Text: Partially uncovered stone wall in surrounding vegetation. Description: El Tajín, Plaza II, Abstract Friezes.
El Tajín [photo 13]

10-1976

Alt Text: Jumble of stones partly uncovered in a forest landscape. Description: El Tajín, Plaza II, Recent Excavations.
El Tajín [photo 14]

10-1976

Alt Text: Closeup view of a stone carving with huminoid and abstract designs. Description: El Tajín, Ball Court, Friezes [photo 01].
El Tajín [photo 15]

10-1976

Alt Text: Closeup view of a stone carving with abstract designs. Description: El Tajín, Ball Court, Friezes [photo 02].
Kabáh [photo 01]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large multistoried step pyramid complex with a grass plaza located in front. Description: Kabáh.
Kabáh [photo 02]

11-1984

Alt Text: Side view of a stone building with hundreds of stone masks carved in the wall. Description: Kabáh, Palace of Masks (Codz Poop).
Kabáh [photo 03]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of a large stone pointed arch. Description: Kabáh, Arch of Kabáh.
Kabáh [photo 04]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of a series of carved stone glyphs. Description: Kabáh, Stone Glyphs.
Kabáh [photo 05]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large stone strucutre with a series of columns. Description: Kabáh, The Palace.
La Venta, Monument [photo 01]

10-1976

Alt Text: Large carved feline basalt sculpture in outside setting.

Description: La Venta, Altar 1, Feline Head.
La Venta, Monument [photo 02]

10-1976

Alt Text: Large carved stone block of a female humanoid located in an area of dirt next to a grove of trees. Description: Monumental sized carved grandmother basalt sculpture in outside setting.

Description: La Venta, Monument 5, The Grandmother.
La Venta, Monument [photo 03]

10-1976

Alt Text: Closeup view of a large carved abstract animal. Description: Monumental sized carved anthropomorphized animal basalt sculpture in outside setting.

Description: La Venta, Monument 60, Anthropomorphized Animal.
La Venta, Monument [photo 04]

10-1976

Alt Text: Description: Large carved stone block of a male humanoid sitting cross-legged and topped by a large stone lintel. Monumental sized carved basalt alter with large human figure sitting cross-legged at base

Description: La Venta, La Venta, Altar 4.
La Venta, Monument [photo 05]

10-1976

Alt Text: Description: Large carved stone block with humanoid and serpent located under a small tree. Monumental sized carved basalt sculputre of serpent and human.

Description: La Venta, Monument 19, Fantastic Serpent.
La Venta, Monument [photo 06]

10-1976

Alt Text: Flat stone mozaic on ground in abstract pattern in the foreground with trees and vegetation and a carved stone block in the background. Description: Large layout of blocks of serpentine on ground.

La Venta, Buried Mosaic, Blocks of Serpentine.
La Venta, Monument [photo 07]

10-1976

Alt Text: Large carved stone humanoid head. Description: La Venta, Monument 1, Colossal Head.
La Venta, Monument [photo 08]

10-1976

Alt Text: Large carved stone block with a humanoid figure sitting cross-legged wearing a headdress. Description: La Venta, Monument 77, Personage with Cape.
La Venta, Monument [photo 09]

10-1976

Alt Text: Large carved stone block with humanoid sitting cross-legged. Description: La Venta, Altar 2.
La Venta, Monument [photo 10]

10-1976

Alt Text: Large stone pillar carved in huminoid form. Description: La Venta, Stele 1.
La Venta, Monument [photo 11]

10-1976

Alt Text: Flat stone mozaic on ground laid in abstract pattern. Description: La Venta, Buried Mosaic, Blocks of Serpentine.
La Venta, Monument [photo 12]

10-1976

Alt Text: Square structure made of stone pillars for the walls and roof. Description: La Venta, Olmec Tomb at La Venta Park.
Palenque [photo 01]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large stepped stone pyramid with structure on top. Description: Palenque, Temple of the Inscriptions.
Palenque [photo 02]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large stepped stone pyramid with structure on top and plaza in front. Description: Palenque, Temple of the Inscriptions.
Palenque [photo 03]

11-1984

Alt Text: Interior view of a stone tunnel with steps. Description: Palenque, Temple of the Inscriptions, Stairway to Crypt.
Palenque [photo 04]

11-1984

Alt Text: Interior view of large stone slab with carvings. Description: Palenque, Temple of the Inscriptions, Pakal's Tomb.
Palenque [photo 05]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large stone complex of buildings with the central building with a tower. Description: Palenque, The Palace of Palenque (Royal Home of Pakal).
Palenque [photo 06]

11-1984

Alt Text: Stone building complex with a rectangle shaped grass area in the center. Description: Palenque, The Palace of Palenque (Royal Home of Pakal), West Court.
Palenque [photo 07]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of a grass plaza with stepped stone sides and a structure with windows or doorways. Description: Palenque, The Palace of Palenque (Royal Home of Pakal), East Court.
Palenque [photo 08]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large carved stone panel with several huminoids in profile. Description: Palenque, The Palace of Palenque (Royal Home of Pakal), East Court, Left Stair Panel.
Palenque [photo 09]

11-1984

Alt Text: Group of stone structures on a forested hillside. Description: Palenque, Temple of the Cross.
Palenque [photo 10]

11-1984

Alt Text: Stepped stone structure with windows or doorways surrounded by forest. Description: Palenque, Temple XIV.
Palenque [photo 11]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of several people climbing stairs to a stone building on a hill. The building has windows or doors with a structure on top of the roof. Description: Palenque, Temple of the Sun.
Palenque [photo 12]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of a couple of carved stone glyphs. Description: Palenque, Temple of the Sun, Wall Plaque.
Palenque [photo 13]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of stone structure located on top of a hill. Description: Palenque, Temple of the Cross.
Palenque [photo 14]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of large stone structure with tower and door or windows. Description: Palenque, The Palace of Palenque (Royal Home of Pakal), Tower.
Palenque [photo 15]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of a complex with several stone structures. Some include steps and others have large structures with doors or windows surrounded by forest. Description: Palenque, Temple of the Sun and Temple XIV.
Palenque [photo 16]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of several stone structures some with stairs and some with regularly spaced doors or windows. Description: Palenque, Temple of the Counts, North Temples, and Ball Court.
Tulum [photo 01]

11-1984

Alt Text: Aerial view of a curved coastal strip of forested land edged with sandy beachs bordering ocean. Description: Tulum, Aerial Photograph.
Tulum [photo 02]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of a tiered stone building with windows and columns. Description: Tulum, Temple of the Frescoes.
Tulum [photo 03]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of a stone carving on top of a window. Description: Tulum, Temple of the Frescoes, Seated Figure.
Tulum [photo 04]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of a corner of a stone structure with stone carvings. Description: Tulum, Temple of the Frescoes, Mask at Cornice at South Corner.
Tulum [photo 05]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of a rectangular shaped hole in a stone foundation. Description: Tulum, Grave near Temple of the Frescoes.
Tulum [photo 06]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of a stone carving of a humanoid located above a barred window. Description: Tulum, Temple of the Frescoes, Descending God.
Tulum [photo 07]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of several stone structures in a field with shrubs and small trees with a dirt winding path. Description: Tulum, The Walled City.
Tulum [photo 08]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of ruins of several structures located on a promontory above the ocean. Description: Tulum.
Tulum [photo 09]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of a stone humanoid carving located above a window. Description: Tulum, Temple of the Descending God.
Tulum [photo 10]

11-1984

Alt Text: Jumble of stones in front of large stepped stone strucure. Description: Tulum, El Castillo.
Tulum [photo 11]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of a large stone structure on top of cliffs next to a sandy beach along the water. Description: Tulum, El Castillo and Temple of the Descending God.
Tulum [photo 12]

11-1984

Alt Text: Complex of stone buildings with rubble lying between the structures. Description: Tulum, Temple of the Frescoes and Temple of the Descending God.
Tulum [photo 13]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup of a painted mural with humanoid and absract designs. Description: Tulum, Temple of the Frescoes, Mural.
Uxmal [photo 01]

11-1984

Alt Text: Large stone multistoried step pyramid. Description: Uxmal, Pyramid of the Magician.
Uxmal [photo 02]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of one side of large stone multistoried step pyramid. Description: Uxmal, Pyramid of the Magician.
Uxmal [photo 03]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of stone structure complex with nearby grass plazas surrounded by forest. Description: Uxmal, Ball Court, Governor's Palace, Great Pyramid, House of the Doves, House of the Turtles.
Uxmal [photo 04]

11-1984

Alt Text: Grouping of four large stone structures surrounding a central grass plaza. Description: Uxmal, Nunnery Quadrangle.
Uxmal [photo 05]

11-1984

Alt Text: Two large stone structures next to a central grass plaza. Description: Uxmal, North Nunnery Quadrangle, Temple of Venus.
Uxmal [photo 06]

11-1984

Alt Text: Part of a large carved stone ring. Description: Uxmal, Carved Ring of the Ballcourt.
Uxmal [photo 07]

11-1984

Alt Text: Two large stone structures next to a central grass plaza. Description: Uxmal, East Building of Nunnery Quadrangle.
Uxmal [photo 08]

11-1984

Alt Text: Multistoried stepped stone pyramid with a structure on top. Description: Uxmal, Pyramid of the Magician.
Uxmal [photo 09]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of detailed stone carvings located on a wall. Description: Uxmal, Wall Carvings on East Wing.
Uxmal [photo 10]

11-1984

Alt Text: View of a corner of a large stone structure with detailed stone carvings. Description: Uxmal, Wall Carvings.
Uxmal [photo 11]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup of a retangular stone structure with windows, a pointed arch, and stone carvings along the roof. Description: Uxmal, Governor's Palace, South End.
Uxmal [photo 12]

11-1984

Alt Text: View from the top of a large stone structure looking toward a nearby stone building complex. Description: Uxmal.
Uxmal [photo 13]

11-1984

Alt Text: Closeup view of a series of carved stone glyphs embedded in vegetation. Description: Uxmal, Cemetery Group, Skull and Bones Carvings.

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