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Ancient Pyramid of Chichén Itzá Explained

Manuel Bravo・22 minutes read

Chichen Itza in Mexico was a significant Mayan city with advanced architectural and astronomical features, including the Temple of Kukulkan and the Great Ball Court. The city's abandonment in the 13th century adds to the mystery surrounding the decline of Mayan civilization.

Insights

  • The Temple of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza demonstrates intricate alignment with the Mayan calendar, using architectural features to symbolize the calendar's days, showcasing the Mayans' advanced knowledge in astronomy and mathematics.
  • Chichen Itza's Great Ball Court, the largest in Mesoamerica, not only served as a sports arena but also featured stone rings for scoring and reliefs depicting player sacrifices, highlighting the intersection of sports, ritual, and architecture in Mayan culture.

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Recent questions

  • What is Chichen Itza?

    Ancient Mayan city in Mexico.

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Summary

00:00

Chichen Itza: Ancient Mayan City and Temples

  • Chichen Itza, located in Yucatan, Mexico, was a significant Mayan city that flourished between the 9th and 12th centuries AD.
  • Mayan cities like Chichen Itza grew outward from the center and upward with new structures built on top of existing ones.
  • The pyramids in Mayan cities initially served as observation points over the jungle but later became objects of worship and rituals.
  • Mayan buildings were originally brightly colored, with red for temples, pyramids, and religious structures, and blue for sacrificial rituals.
  • The Great Ball Court at Chichen Itza was the largest in Mesoamerica, with stone rings for scoring and reliefs depicting player sacrifices.
  • The Temple of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza showcases advanced Mayan knowledge in astronomy, geometry, and mathematics.
  • The Temple of Kukulkan's design aligns with the Mayan calendar, with four stairways of 91 steps each representing the Haab calendar's 365 days.
  • During the equinoxes, the Temple of Kukulkan displays a shadow play resembling a descending feathered serpent, a tribute to the deity Kukulkan.
  • The Temple of Kukulkan also features an acoustic effect that mimics the singing of a quetzal bird when clapping in front of it.
  • Mayan temples typically consist of a platform, pyramid, and sanctuary, with the upper temple at Chichen Itza preserved due to durable stone construction methods.

14:33

Chichen Itza: Ancient Mayan City Mysteries

  • Under the interior pyramid at Chichen Itza lies an even older temple, all oriented in the same direction, built on top of a cenote.
  • The temple of the red jaguar at Chichen Itza is significant for housing a Chac Mool sculpture and a jaguar throne, both intricately detailed.
  • The Temple of the Warriors in the eastern part of the enclosure features pillars with reliefs of armed warriors and prisoners, creating a grand space for events.
  • The upper temple of the Warriors has an entrance with serpent columns, leading to a sacrificial stone altar where offerings were made to the gods.
  • The Plaza of the Thousand Columns at Chichen Itza was a vast space with colonnades, likely used for civic-religious purposes and gatherings.
  • Surrounding the Plaza of the Thousand Columns are various buildings like the Palace of Balam Kauil Ahau and the Market, showcasing different architectural functions.
  • The Great North Platform at Chichen Itza, along with the pyramid of Kukulkan, forms an axis with the Sacred Cenote, connected by the Sacbé road.
  • Cenotes, natural wells formed by geological processes, were crucial water sources for the Mayans and served as centers for human sacrifices and religious practices.
  • Chichen Itza's sacred cenote, with a diameter of 60m, holds various artifacts and bone remains, reflecting its significance in Mayan culture.
  • The city of Chichen Itza, now a World Heritage Site, was abandoned in the 13th century, adding to the mystery surrounding the decline of Mayan cities.
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