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CHICHEN ITZA
SITE DESCRIPTION
Introduction
A
brief description by the Unesco states: This site is one of the most impressive testimonies to the Maya-Toltec civilization
of the Yucatan (10th To 15th centuries).
It contains some of the most outstanding examples of Central American architecture, combining Maya construction techniques
and Toltec sculpted decoration.
Chichen Itza means mouth of the well and covers about 5 km.
in area and was built in the late Classic Period (800-1000 AD). It is a magical place with the massive Pyramid of Kukulcan
(El Castillo) being the centerpiece.
Monuments
The Ruins are divided into 2 groups: Old Chichen ( Maya Classic Period 800-1000 AD) and New Chichen (Maya-Toltec Period
1000-1200 AD). Chichen Itza is a massive ancient ceremonial center comprised primarily of the Puuc construction
style (old Chichen). Not all of the monuments (Temple of the Warriors, Temple of the Jaguar) are accessible to the 3,000,000 yearly visitors (for preservation).
The most important structures are:
El Castillo
The Great Ball Court
The Sacred Cenote
Platform of Eagle & Jaguar
Temple of the
Jaguar
The Observatory
Venus Temple
The Church
1000 Warriors (columns)
The Market
Casa del Venado The Ossuary
THE
PYRAMID OF KUKULCAN (EL Castillo)
The
Pyramid of Kukulcan (old Chichen, Puuc construction style) is without a doubt the most impressive monument in Chichen Itza
and its design is believed to relate to the Maya Calendar. This square based pyramid was built for astronomical purposes and
is a prime example of archeoastronomy and archeology. It stands in the middle of a vast esplanade and is surrounded by many
other monuments. Sound and light shows every evening on the plaza near the ball court.
THE TEMPLE OF THE WARRIORS
The Temple of the Warriors in New Chichen was built over an older monument dedicated to the Reclining
God Chaac-Mool, the central figure of this awesome complex. The temple is a massive structure adjacent to The Temple of the Jaguar and surrounded by hundreds of carved columns. It is 10 meters tall and 40
meters wide and a prime example of the Toltec influence in Maya architecture. A wide stairway on the
front face of the temple leads to stone representations of Chaac Mool and Kukulcan (Quetzalcoatl). The view of the temple
seen from the Kukulcan Pyramid is spectacular and well worth the climb to the top of EL Castillo. Great archeology.
The BALL COURT
The Sacred Games played in the Ball Courts had a profound significance for the Maya. These Ball Courts are found in
most of their cities of importance in the Yucatan but Chichen Itzas is the biggest and best preserved Court discovered in
Mesoamerica: 545 feet from end to end, three of
its sides support temples probably used for rituals during the games, intricate carvings and decorations, scoring stone hoops
and such great acoustics that a whisper can be heard at the other end. A vivid example of Maya culture and magnificence.
THE OBSERVATORY (EL CARACOL)
We know today for a fact that the Maya knew the exact length of the yearly solar cycle and had it measured at 365.24
days. The Chichen Itza Observatory or El Caracol (the snail) was dedicated to the study of astronomy
and it consists of a tower erected on two rectangular platforms. The Observatorys name is derived from the unusual stairway
inside resembling a snail shell. From the top of the tower these amazing astronomers made naked eyed observations of the stars
and recorded their movements.
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