Yaxchilan in today's Mexico was one of the most powerful ancient Maya states, the main rival to Piedras Negras located 40 km/ 25 miles downriver. This city was at war with the most powerful cities is in the Maya world such as Palenque and Tikal. In the years between AD 250 and 900, Yaxchilan transformed into a large urban center with over 120 structures located in three complexes interconnected by stairways, ramps, and terraces. The buildings here characterized are by roof combs and stucco ornaments.
While standing on the large plaza, looking at terraces and platforms skillfully fitted into the hills, it was not hard to imagine all the buildings at the time of their splendor. All the structures around must have been painted red, along with the altars and numerous reliefs. One of the greatest rulers of Yaxchilan was Yaxun Bʼalam IV (Bird Jaguar IV). He erected the most interesting building in the whole city (known today as structure 33) atop of 40 m / 133 feet hill. Climbing many steps, we approached sculptured blocks known as Hieroglyphic Stairway 2 and a rectangular building with high roof comb. It contained two rooms connected by a corbeled vaulted corridor. The central personage in the sculptures and lintels was the great ruler himself. The rooms were dedicated for self-sacrifice ceremonies. Blood served a very important purpose in the Maya culture and was often offered to the Gods by auto-sacrificial bloodletting. Blood was drawn from many different parts of the body like lips, tongue, or ears, but also from the genitals. Variety of tools used in such ceremonies, included mainly obsidian blades and sharp bones. Blood ran down on the bark paper or bird feathers that were burnt to be delivered to the Gods.
