One more image from the wonderful ruin of Xkipche, buried in the jungle.
Between 1990 and 1997 and again between 2002 and 2004, a team from the University of Bonn in German and Mexico's INAH (the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia) did thorough and detailed excavations at Xkipche. Then it was left to go back to the jungle.
At the end of November, I took my third trip to Mexico since 2014 to photograph Mayan ruins. I visited a number of ruins not open to the public, overgrown and hidden in the jungle, in order to continue working on my series of infrared images of Mayan Ruins. Many people think that the large ruins (Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Labna, Sayil, etc.) comprise the totality of Mayan civilization in the Yucatan, but there are literally hundreds of smaller or satellite cities spread throughout Yucatan and Campeche. These are the ruins that draw me - beautiful, sometimes remote, ruins, partially overgrown, but still standing after more than a thousand years.
If you'd like to read about this trip, I have a blog post about it that you might enjoy.
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Tags: Infrared Mayan Mexico Ruins Xkipche Yucatan
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You may think this church (San Juan Bautista in the town of Tixcacaltuyub), built in the 17th century, looks more like a fort than a church. Well, it served as both. Since it, like the church at Yaxunah (yesterday's image), was in a frontier area, it was always possible it would have to serve as a defensive fortification. It was built right on top of a mound used for a now-destroyed Mayan temple.
One of the goals on my trip to Mexico was to photograph churches damaged during the Caste War. The Caste War (1847-1901) was an over 50-year Mayan revolt in the Yucatan in which cities and churches on the frontier, such as Tixcacaltuyub, suffered what can only be described as almost-complete devastation. According to Terry Rugelyy the area where Tixcacaltuyub is located suffered "almost Biblical destruction during the Caste War" (Rugeley, 1997, p. 5). By some estimates, one half of the population of these areas perished during the war from starvation, disease and casualties. Cities were taken and then retaken (and burned and devastated) by both sides. These churches stand as poignant reminders of this time.
If you'd like, take a look at more of my images from Mexico
Tags: Church Mexico San Juan Bautista Tixcacaltuyub Yucatan Caste War
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La Santa Cruz, Santa Maria.
One of the goals on my trip to Mexico was to photograph churches damaged during the Caste War. The Caste War (1847-1901) was an over 50-year Mayan revolt in the Yucatan in which cities and churches (and their populations) on the frontier suffered what can only be described as almost-complete devastation. According to Terry Rugelyy the area around Yaxcaba suffered "almost Biblical destruction during the Caste War" (Rugeley, 1997, p. 5). By some estimates, one half of the population of these areas perished during the war from starvation, disease and casualties. Cities were taken and then retaken (and burned and devastated) by both sides. These churches stand as poignant reminders of this time.
If you'd like, take a look at more of my images from my series on the Caste War churches and from the Yucatan
Tags: Church La Santa Cruz Mexico Santa Maria Yucatan
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These are the remains of the first building you come to at the ruin of La Reforma. The light was gorgeous and it was a very special moment shooting this image.
At the end of November, I took my third trip to Mexico to photograph Mayan ruins. I visited a number of ruins not open to the public, overgrown and hidden in the jungle, in order to continue working on my infrared images of Mayan Ruins. Many people think that the large ruins (Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Labna, Sayil, etc.) comprise the totality of Mayan civilization in the Yucatan, but there are literally hundreds of smaller or satellite cities spread throughout Yucatan and Campeche. I am so drawn to these beautiful, sometimes remote, ruins, partially overgrown, but still standing after more than a thousand years.
If you'd like to read about this trip, I have a blog post about it that you might enjoy.
Website | Blog | Instagram |
Tags: Infrared La Reforma Maya Mayan Mexico Ruins Yucatan
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This is the second in a series of infrared images of Mayan ruins in Yucatan and Campeche, shot on a trip there in February. If you want to see more of the images, take a look at my Mexico album or my Infrared album. This image was taken from a different vantage point than the first image in the series - also from the Xpuhil II ruin - that one was taken up on top of the structure.
Most of the ruins you'll see in this series are not open to the public. I was lucky enough to see them with the help of the wonderful Balta. Most people know the large ruins at Uxmal, Calakmul or Chichen Itza but those aren’t the only Mayan ruins on the Yucatan peninsula. Ruins from smaller settlements and satellite cities are scattered all over. If you know where they are (or, in my case, if you’re lucky enough to know someone who knows where they are) or if you find a local guide to show you you can see these amazing places alone in the jungle, partially overgrown, echoes of their former glory. It’s hard to express the feeling of seeing one of these places – it’s a combination of awe and amazement and wonder. What an amazing privilege to have been able to see them.
Tags: Mayan Maya Ruins Infrared Mexico Jungle Campeche
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