Puuc

Puuc building at Chunhuhub, Campeche, as drawn by Frederick Catherwood, 1841

Puuc is a style of Pre-Columbian architecture of the Maya civilization. The name comes from the Maya language term for the range of hills in the south-east of the state of Yucatán and northern Campeche, Mexico.

The Puuc style is characterized by buildings of carefully cut stones. The lower portion of the fascades is blank with a flat surface of rectangular blocks punctuated by doorways, while the upper fascade is richly decorated with intricate stone mosaics, often alternating repeated geometric elements with more elaborate figurative sculpture.

Corner Chac mask at Uxmal

Long nosed masks of the rain god Chac are found on many Puuc buildings.

The most famous Puuc architecture is at Uxmal; other major Puuc style sites in the region include Labna, Kabaah, and Sayil. The style is also seen at Bolonchen, Chunhuhub, Xculoc, and many smaller ruins. To the south-east the style can be found in Edzna; and to the west Chichen Itza has a few buildings in the Puuc style.