Xlapak

Xlapak (or Xlapac) is a small Maya archaeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula of southeastern Mexico. It is located in the heart of the Puuc region, about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the archaeological site of Labná and a similar distance from Sayil, lying directly between the two sites.^[2] It consists of three main groups in a valley of the Puuc Hills in Yucatán State,^[3] a region of karst limestone forming the only major topographical feature of the peninsula.^[4] The closest town is Oxkutzcab, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the northeast.

A palace at Xlapak

Masks of the rain god Chaac at Xlapak.^[1]

The site dates from the Late to Terminal Classic periods and was sited in an area suitable for agriculture.^[5]

Restoration at Xlapak, and other nearby archaeological sites, was carried out in the first half of the 20th century by the Mexican Instituto de Antropologia e Historia (Institute of Anthropology and History).^[6] Further archaeological investigation was carried out in 1965 under the direction of César A. Sáenz.^[7]

The site

The site core is located in the flat valley bottom, while in the surrounding hills the remains of perishable structures have been found.^[3]

The main feature of Group 1 is the Palace, which consists of nine rooms with decorated facades. Another palace is located in Group 2, it is decorated with columns.^[3] The architecture is an example of the ostentatious style of the Classic or Fluorescent Puuc, in common with the nearby sites of Sayil, Labna, Kabah, and Uxmal.^[8] Typical of this style are the highly decorated upper portions of the buildings that extend above the ceiling height.^[9] The decorations at Xlapak are well preserved and include masks of the Yucatec Maya rain god Chaac.^[1]