The Maya civilization was discovered to be among the most sophisticated cultures that have existed in the Western Hemisphere before the arrival of the European conquerors.
During the peak of the ancient Maya civilization from 300 to 900 AD it was composed of over 40 cities that have reached the borders of Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico.
The ancient ruins left by the Mayans were mainly discovered in Tabasco, Chiapas and the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. There are lots of ancient sites that have been discovered and also excavated in Mexico and there were several which have overgrown and yet to be uncovered.
The Majestic Mayan Temples In Chichen Itza
Among the Mayan archaeological sites, Chichen Itza is the most well known. Several of the most visited ancient temples here include the Temple of the Warriors or Templo de los Guerreros, El Castillo, El Caracol and Ossario.
Also known as the Temple of Kulkucan, the El Castillo has 365 steps and each of its steps represents each day of the year. Each of the four sides of this pyramid has 91 steps and the top platform is the 365th step.
One of the most imposing structures of Chichen Itza is the Temple of the Warriors. It is recognized as a late Maya structure which can accommodate a large number of people owing to its enormous size. In such structure, there are four platforms which have 200 square and round columns on its south and west sides.
El Caracol literally means snail or winding staircase; this unique pre-Columbian Maya structure functioned as an observatory tower in Chichen Itza.
The Ossario is another stepped pyramid structure in Chichen Itza which is a lot like the El Castillo but smaller in size. In the late part of the 1800's, this temple was excavated by Edward H. Thompson who named this structure as the Temple of the High Priest as he had discovered some skeletons along with precious artifacts such as jade beads.
The Ancient Mayan Temples In Palenque
One other important ancient city in Mexico is Palenque. This place boasts several of the most famous structures like the Palace, Temple of the Inscriptions, Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Cross, Observation Tower, Temple of the Skull, Temple XIII as well as Temple of the Count
In Palenque, the most prominent ancient Maya structure is the Temple of the Inscription. It has a height of 66 feet. On its roof, there was once a roof comb and the temple has 5 entrance doors. The four piers seen in the middle of the temple are deemed the remains of the stuck figures which could have ended up being there. It was in the Temple of the Cross that the great king K'inich Kan B'alam's complete records of life and death were found.
The Temple of the Skull is also called Temple XII and it is positioned right beside Temple XIII. Both the temples were created on the top of a huge platform and each building features a stairway going to the top of the temples. The top structures were built on existing buildings, according to an archaeologist.
Ancient Mayan Temples Of Tulum
The Temple of the Descending God or the Templo Del Dios Descendente and the El Castillo Pyramid are the important temples of Tulum.
Tulum's most dominating ancient temple is the Pyramid El Castillo which is ideally located at the edge of the cliffs offering a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea. There are 2 lanterns at the top of this temple, serving as a watchtower and lighthouse.
Tulum's small building is called the Temple of the Descending God yet it holds great significance. One can find a strange stucco relief on the western doorway of this temple; it is an upside down winged figure which represents the Mayan Diving God. The very old structure was greatly decorated with images of snakes, sun, rain and seashells.
Mayan Temples In Kabah
Kabah's most prominent ancient structure is the Palace of the Masks or Codz Poop, showing some Chene elements and covered with masks of Chac, the Maya Rain God.
During the peak of the ancient Maya civilization from 300 to 900 AD it was composed of over 40 cities that have reached the borders of Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico.
The ancient ruins left by the Mayans were mainly discovered in Tabasco, Chiapas and the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. There are lots of ancient sites that have been discovered and also excavated in Mexico and there were several which have overgrown and yet to be uncovered.
The Majestic Mayan Temples In Chichen Itza
Among the Mayan archaeological sites, Chichen Itza is the most well known. Several of the most visited ancient temples here include the Temple of the Warriors or Templo de los Guerreros, El Castillo, El Caracol and Ossario.
Also known as the Temple of Kulkucan, the El Castillo has 365 steps and each of its steps represents each day of the year. Each of the four sides of this pyramid has 91 steps and the top platform is the 365th step.
One of the most imposing structures of Chichen Itza is the Temple of the Warriors. It is recognized as a late Maya structure which can accommodate a large number of people owing to its enormous size. In such structure, there are four platforms which have 200 square and round columns on its south and west sides.
El Caracol literally means snail or winding staircase; this unique pre-Columbian Maya structure functioned as an observatory tower in Chichen Itza.
The Ossario is another stepped pyramid structure in Chichen Itza which is a lot like the El Castillo but smaller in size. In the late part of the 1800's, this temple was excavated by Edward H. Thompson who named this structure as the Temple of the High Priest as he had discovered some skeletons along with precious artifacts such as jade beads.
The Ancient Mayan Temples In Palenque
One other important ancient city in Mexico is Palenque. This place boasts several of the most famous structures like the Palace, Temple of the Inscriptions, Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Cross, Observation Tower, Temple of the Skull, Temple XIII as well as Temple of the Count
In Palenque, the most prominent ancient Maya structure is the Temple of the Inscription. It has a height of 66 feet. On its roof, there was once a roof comb and the temple has 5 entrance doors. The four piers seen in the middle of the temple are deemed the remains of the stuck figures which could have ended up being there. It was in the Temple of the Cross that the great king K'inich Kan B'alam's complete records of life and death were found.
The Temple of the Skull is also called Temple XII and it is positioned right beside Temple XIII. Both the temples were created on the top of a huge platform and each building features a stairway going to the top of the temples. The top structures were built on existing buildings, according to an archaeologist.
Ancient Mayan Temples Of Tulum
The Temple of the Descending God or the Templo Del Dios Descendente and the El Castillo Pyramid are the important temples of Tulum.
Tulum's most dominating ancient temple is the Pyramid El Castillo which is ideally located at the edge of the cliffs offering a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea. There are 2 lanterns at the top of this temple, serving as a watchtower and lighthouse.
Tulum's small building is called the Temple of the Descending God yet it holds great significance. One can find a strange stucco relief on the western doorway of this temple; it is an upside down winged figure which represents the Mayan Diving God. The very old structure was greatly decorated with images of snakes, sun, rain and seashells.
Mayan Temples In Kabah
Kabah's most prominent ancient structure is the Palace of the Masks or Codz Poop, showing some Chene elements and covered with masks of Chac, the Maya Rain God.
About the Author:
Visiting the Mexico Mayan Temples offers a great insight about the ancient civilization that some time ago existed and that continue to influence and amaze the modern world. Discover Mexico, read more stories about the interesting and mysterious Mayan ruins, visit One Jungle Adventure Travel Community.
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