Mayan Archaeological Sites in Yucatán
Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca
Archaeological Sites in Chiapas
Arqueología Campeche
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
Mayan Archaeological Sites in Yucatán
Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca
Arqueología Chihuahua
Arqueología Campeche
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
Cultural Heritage registered in 1999 on the World Heritage List by UNESCO and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
The Mayan city of Chichen Itza represents the most intact and impressive ruins of the Mayan civilization in the modern world. It is located in a jungle area and receives more than a million visitors a year.
This site was founded around 525 AD by the Chanes of Bacalar, this Mayan group also found cities like Ek Balam and Motul. Around the year 800 AD, the Toltecs invaded the area, merging the two cultures. At the end of the Late Classic period, around the 9th century, Chichén became one of the most important political centers of the Mayab. And ultimately developed into a center of political and economic power in the Yucatan peninsula from 900 to 1,500 AD.
The site was established during the Classic period close to two natural cenotes or chenes, which gave the town its name “At the mouth of the well”. The town that grew around the sector is konwn as Chichen Viejo, the buildings in this area has the characteristic Maya style. It is known that the city was abandoned as a result of a civil war with Mayapan.
The area was then largely abandoned for about a hundred years to be resettled around 900 AD again. This second settlement of Chichén Itzá corresponded to the migration of Toltecs from central Mesoamerica to the south. During this period the site become a clear illustration of the fusion between the Maya and Toltec culture.
It is important to mention that there is a beautiful light and sound show that takes place every night.
There is a small Introductory Room that is part of a tourist hostel and that presents an exhibition of photographs of the archaeological zone with explanations of the site that aim to improve the experience of the visit.
Chichén Itzá
Must see Buildings
Chichen Itzá covers an area of 6.5 square kilometers and visitors can visit it completely in just one day. The archaeological zone is made up of two zones. The southern part has its origins in the 7th century and has Puuc Mayan-style buildings, typical of the Yucatan region, while the central area of Chichen Itza, built in the 10th century with the arrival of the Toltecs, shows a clear combination of the Puuc and Toltec style.
Chichén Itzá covered over two square miles and was made up of various spaces and constructions, for both everyday and ceremonial purposes.
El Castillo (The Castle)
Possibly the best known building in Chichen Itza is “El Castillo” (The Castle) or Kukulcan Pyramid, believed to been built before 800 A.D for astronomical purposes. A square-based, stepped pyramid that is at the center of the city with a height of just over 30 m. (98 feet). It has huge sculptures of plumed serpents’ heads sit at the base of the pyramid on the northern staircase and at the top there is a temple dedicated to Kukulcan. This building is a solar calendar, it has 91 steps on each side and one for the altar. Every day the shadows fall on a different step. mide 60 metros por lado y una altura de poco más de 30 m con un templo dedicado a Kukulcán en la parte superior. Tiene enormes esculturas de cabezas de serpientes emplumadas ubicadas en la base de la pirámide en la escalera norte y en la parte superior hay un templo dedicado a Kukulcán. Este edificio es un calendario solar, tiene 91 escalones a cada lado y uno para el altar. Todos los días las sombras se proyectan en un escalón diferente.
Twice a year, in the spring equinox and the autumn solstice (around March 20 and September 22). On those days only, the sun would cause the terraces to cast a shadow over the architectural elements of the building resemble a snake descending from the top of the pyramid. The illusion is almost as good in the week preceding and following each equinox, and beside draws much smaller crowds. It is also re-created nightly (except Mondays) in the light-and-sound show year-round. Twice a year, in the spring equinox and the autumn solstice (around March 20 and September 22). On those days only, the sun would cause the terraces to cast a shadow over the architectural elements of the building resemble a snake descending from the top of the pyramid. The illusion is almost as good in the week preceding and following each equinox, and beside draws much smaller crowds. It is also re-created nightly (except Mondays) in the light-and-sound show year-round.
Inside the pyramid there is a narrowly enclosed staircase that leads to a Chac Mool and the throne of Jaguar. Climbing to the top of the pyramid is no longer allowed.Inside the pyramid there is a narrowly enclosed staircase that leads to a Chac Mool and the throne of Jaguar. Climbing to the top of the pyramid is no longer allowed.
Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors)
East to the Kukulcan Pyramid is the Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors) a large stepped pyramid fronted and flanked by rows of carved columns depicting warriors. This structure is very similar to the Temple B in Tula.
Along the south wall of the Temple of Warriors is the Grupo de las Mil Columnas (Group of a Thousand Columns). Not far from this complex is another group of three smaller platforms: Plataforma de Águilas y Jaguares (Platform of the Eagles and the Jaguars), named that way for its decoration; the Platataforma de Venus (Platform of Venus), in its interior were discovered a collection of large stone cones with an unknown purpose; and the Templo de las Mesas (Temple of the Tables) with a front gallery and an inner corridor that leads to an altar with a Chac Mool.
At the southern end of the Temple of Warriors complex is a square structure known as The Mercado (The Market), although the scholars today think that its purpose was more ceremonial than commercial.
Cenote Sagrado
Few metres from the Platform of Venus, is the Sacbe Numer one is the largest in the site with 270 metres (890 ft) long, and leads to the Cenote Sagrado, which is 60 metres (200 ft) in diameter. It seems it was used as a place for sacrifices since thousands of objects have been removed from the bottom like human skeletons, and gold and jade items, as well as pottery and obsidian objects.
Juegos de Pelota (Ball Game Courts)
There are thirteen ballcourts in the site, but the Great Ballcout about 150 metes (490 ft) long is the most impressive and the largest in Mesoamerica. It is located north-west of the Kukulcan Pyramid and the sides of the court are vertical and not sloped as in most other courts, they are 8 metes (26 ft) high and and the ring on each wall is carved with intertwined feathered serpents. The relief carvings on the walls of the court display the ritual function of ball games.
Plataforma de los Cráneos (Tzompantli or Skull Platform)
Not very far is the Tzompantli or Skull Platform (Plataforma de los Cráneos), a large platform takes the form of a skull rack, but the skulls were impaled vertically rather than horizontally like in Tenochtitlán. The other three walls show human sacrifice, skeleton warriors, and human hearts being devoured by eagles.
Osario
The Osario complex includes a a step-pyramid very similar to El Castillo with a temple on top, and because of the offerings found inside the structure it was named Templo del Sacerdote Mayor (The High Priest’s Temple). Very near is the Temple of Xtoloc with a series of pilasters carved with images of people.
Casa Colorada Group (Red House Group)
South is the Casa Colorada Group (Red House Group) with one of the most well preserved structures known as Chichanchob. It has a chamber with carved hieroglyphs that mention several rulers of Chichen Itza.
Las Monjas (The Nunnery)
It is a superb example of the the Puuc-style architecture, was a governmental palace with carved panels with figures of flowers and animals; near is another small temple know as La Iglesia (The Church) decorated with elaborate masks.
El Caracol (The Snail)
In the same area is El Caracol (The Snail), one of the most impressive monuments at the site and the only circular structure built by the Maya. Constructed prior to 800 A.D, it was used as an astronomical observatory. A large flight of stairs on two levels leads to the circular tower structure which has windows aligned to astronomical events, specifically around the path of Venus. The interior vaulting may have been designed to represent a conch shell and is over 10 m high, the largest such Maya structure. East to the Caracol is Akab Dzib a relatively short structure with a small chamber with a lintel showing intricately carved glyphs.
Location
It is located 45 minutes from Valladolid and approximately an hour and a half southeast of Mérida on the Mérida – Cancún Highway Km. 120, Tinum, Yuc.
Hours
Monday to Sunday from 8:00 to 17:00 hrs.
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