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Chichen Itza: a wonder of the Mayan empire and the world

Chichen Itza: a wonder of the Mayan empire and the world.

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Chichen Itza: a wonder of the Mayan empire and the world

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  1. Chichen Itza: a wonder of the Mayan empire and the world

  2. The Mayan civilization flourished from roughly 250 AD to 900 AD. Their territory stretched from the Yucatan in Mexico to Honduras. Among other things, they are noted for developing a written language, conceptualizing the number 0, creating the 365 day calendar and knowing enough about astronomy to predict solar eclipses. Chichen Itza is a Mayan center on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico that was constructed and inhabited before Columbus crossed the Atlantic.

  3. El Castillo Also known as the Temple of Kukulkan, it is the biggest construct in the city. It has 91 steps on each of its four sides, with the platform being the last step. In total there are 365 steps, one for each day of the year. One of the acoustic marvels can be experienced at El Castillo. If you stand at the base of pyramid and clap your hands, the sound that will echo back at you will sound like the chirp of a bird.

  4. Kukulkan was one of the Mayans’ main gods. He is characterized as a plumed serpent, an image that can be seen throughout the city.

  5. El Castillo was built so that twice a year (during the spring and autumn equinoxes) the sun casts shadows in the shape of a snake that crawl down the side of the pyramid and come to a stop at the snake head at the base of the stairs.

  6. Sacred Cenote Sink holes and under ground rivers provided water to the city. Young females were thrown into them as a sacrifice to the rain god, who they believed lived at the bottom.

  7. Ball Court Another famous structure is the ball court. Like El Castillo, it has excellent acoustics. You can stand at one end, whisper and be heard at the other end.

  8. It is believed that the judge sat above the court, presiding over the game.

  9. The object of the game was for the players to kick a rubber ball through the hoop above their heads. It is believed that the event ended by sacrificing the losers.

  10. Wall of Skulls This is what is carved into the wall of one of four platforms. The faces are of sacrificial victims.

  11. City of Warriors Stone carvings are found throughout the city of warriors… and animals such as jaguars

  12. Temple of the Warriors The Temple of Warriors is flagged by pillars. Pillars such as this one depict Mayan warriors.

  13. ChacMool This statue of a reclining figure is found at a few places in the city, including at the Temple of Warriors. Nobody is sure what its significance is.

  14. Caracolis a well known observatory for astronomical work

  15. Chichen Itza…a remnant of a great civilization

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