Uxmal

**Historical and Modern Significance of Uxmal**
– Uxmal is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of Maya culture
– Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
– Located in the Puuc region of the western Yucatán Peninsula
– Significant buildings like the Governors Palace, Nunnery Quadrangle, and Pyramid of the Magician
– Tradition of an invisible city built in one night by the dwarf king
– Modern events like the nightly Lights and Sound show on the Nunnery Quadrangle

**Microbial Degradation at Uxmal**
– Microbial biofilms degrade stone buildings at Uxmal and Kabah
– Presence of phototrophs like Xenococcus and stone-degrading Gloeocapsa and Synechocystis
– Fungi like Aureobasidium and Fusarium found at Uxmal
– Prevalence of cyanobacteria in rooms with low light levels

**Archaeological Findings and Structures**
– Phototrophic biofilms found on ancient Mayan buildings in Yucatán, Mexico
– Study of the interaction of microorganisms with Maya archaeological sites
– Mayan Ball Court and Nunnery Quadrangle are significant structures at Uxmal
– Uxmal’s architecture and archaeological significance

**Exploration and Mapping of Uxmal**
– Mapped by G. Morley in 1909
– Protection projects initiated by the Mexican government in 1927 and repair programs in 1936
– Tulane University expedition led by Frans Blom in 1930
– Visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975

**Cultural References and Additional Information**
– Maya legend of the Dwarf-Wizard of Uxmal
– References to archaeoastronomy and ethnoastronomy related to Uxmal
– Display of a replica of the Nunnery Quadrangle at the 1933 World’s Fair
– Plaster casts of Uxmal’s monuments at Tulane’s Middle American Research Institute
– Destruction of plaster replicas of Uxmal’s architecture after the fairhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uxmal