Among Mayan sites in the Yucatan, the ancient city of Chichen Itza stands out as one of the largest, most amazing, and most intriguing of them all. Because the city's population was so diverse and its history so extensive, the numerous buildings combine many architectural styles and motifs, and visitors could easily be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed by the task of choosing what to see. Ad-hoc exploration is not likely to be fruitful, as the sheer size of the site will just leave you confused and walking in aimless circles; you'll need a map and a plan to find your way around the city. Below are listed a few of the most magnificent sites, along with their locations, to better equip you to explore Chichn Itz.
The largest and most impressive of the seven tlatchtli ball courts within the city's perimeter is the Great Ballcourt, found at the northwest corner. Although scientists aren't sure exactly how this game was played, it's considered likely that it was similar to the modern-day game of umal, which originates from western Mexico. Tlatchtli was played by a large number of cultures in Central America and evolved over many centuries. In many ways, the 150-meter-long court at Chichen Itza represents the pinnacle of this process; the huge audience stands that flank it, and the ornately carved goal hoops set high above the playing field lead archaeologists to suspect that only the most elite players competed in this arena " in ceremonial games which at least sometimes resulted in the ritual sacrifice of the losing team.
The Warrior Temple
The Temple of the Warriors is a huge stepped pyramid, which was built around another earlier structure called the Temple of Chac Mool. The building takes its name from the rows of fierce-looking warrior statues which are lined in smart formation in front of and to the flanks of the pyramid. A Chac Mool type statue, which depicts a reclining human figure, head turned to the side, holds a plate across his stomach that is theorized to have been used during the ritual sacrifices which took place on the pyramid's summit. Unfortunately, you can't scale the pyramid at this time due to an ongoing series of renovations, designed to the protect the structure for viewing by future generations. However, you can get as close to it as you like, and its size and meticulously decorated facade will surely leave you with a sense of genuine wonderment.
The Snail
Meaning "The Snail" in Spanish, El Caracol is a circular building set upon a large square platform, and is named for the spiral staircase contained within its dome. Building such structures out of stone takes a significant mastery of architecture and materials, and displays the Mayans genius and proficiency for building. More than that, it puts the Mayan predilection for science front and center; the shape and the placement of its doors and windows leads archaeologists to speculate that this was used as an astronomical observatory, specifically designed to align with the movements of the heavens (such as the pat of Venus across the night sky), and as such is one of the first known in the western hemisphere and one the earliest that still exists today.
The Caves of Balanckanche
Close by to the city proper is the entryway to a particularly ancient network of caves, known as the Caves of Balanckanche. They are one of Chichn Itz's most incredible features, in part because of their size and shape, but mostly due to the wealth of artifacts contained within. Hundreds of statues, idols, carvings, pottery, and other items litter the cave floors, spanning nearly the entire history of Mayan civilization from the Pre-Classic times until well after the Spanish invasion of the Yucatn. Most of the artifacts have not been removed, but rather studied while in the same position as when first discovered, in order to afford visitors to the caverns a unique glimpse of a one-of-a-kind archaeological find unspoiled by later human activity. The layout of the caves is also extremely significant. Consisting of a central column made of limestone, which branches out into an unmistakable series of limb-like patterns, the overall structure of the caves looks like nothing so much as an enormous tree " important because the World-Tree is one of the central concepts of Mayan mythology and religion.
Unforgettable Display of Light and Sound
Those who visit Chichn Itz during the day are encouraged to return after dark; in fact, the same ticket used for daytime admission can be presented again at night in order to attend the light and sound extravaganza, held every evening at the great pyramid El Castillo. The show lasts for about an hour, and features a heart-pounding soundtrack and amazing light and laser visuals. The public narration is in Spanish, but for those who aren't fluent, headphones can be obtained which provide the same soundtrack in your language of choice.
The Descent of Kukulcan
The Spring Equinox (occurring in late March) is an especially important time in the calendar of events at Chichen Itza; for three days, the city hosts a variety of music, theater, and dancing. The centerpiece of this experience is the "Descent of Kukulcan" on the pyramid itself; during the late afternoon, triangle-shaped shadows are cast by the northwest corner of the pyramid, creating an effect that looks uncannily like a snake crawling down the side of the temple. Though there is no archaeological data to support the conjecture, many have assumed the intention of the pyramid's designers was to simulate the great feathered serpent god Kukulcan descending to earth.
The largest and most impressive of the seven tlatchtli ball courts within the city's perimeter is the Great Ballcourt, found at the northwest corner. Although scientists aren't sure exactly how this game was played, it's considered likely that it was similar to the modern-day game of umal, which originates from western Mexico. Tlatchtli was played by a large number of cultures in Central America and evolved over many centuries. In many ways, the 150-meter-long court at Chichen Itza represents the pinnacle of this process; the huge audience stands that flank it, and the ornately carved goal hoops set high above the playing field lead archaeologists to suspect that only the most elite players competed in this arena " in ceremonial games which at least sometimes resulted in the ritual sacrifice of the losing team.
The Warrior Temple
The Temple of the Warriors is a huge stepped pyramid, which was built around another earlier structure called the Temple of Chac Mool. The building takes its name from the rows of fierce-looking warrior statues which are lined in smart formation in front of and to the flanks of the pyramid. A Chac Mool type statue, which depicts a reclining human figure, head turned to the side, holds a plate across his stomach that is theorized to have been used during the ritual sacrifices which took place on the pyramid's summit. Unfortunately, you can't scale the pyramid at this time due to an ongoing series of renovations, designed to the protect the structure for viewing by future generations. However, you can get as close to it as you like, and its size and meticulously decorated facade will surely leave you with a sense of genuine wonderment.
The Snail
Meaning "The Snail" in Spanish, El Caracol is a circular building set upon a large square platform, and is named for the spiral staircase contained within its dome. Building such structures out of stone takes a significant mastery of architecture and materials, and displays the Mayans genius and proficiency for building. More than that, it puts the Mayan predilection for science front and center; the shape and the placement of its doors and windows leads archaeologists to speculate that this was used as an astronomical observatory, specifically designed to align with the movements of the heavens (such as the pat of Venus across the night sky), and as such is one of the first known in the western hemisphere and one the earliest that still exists today.
The Caves of Balanckanche
Close by to the city proper is the entryway to a particularly ancient network of caves, known as the Caves of Balanckanche. They are one of Chichn Itz's most incredible features, in part because of their size and shape, but mostly due to the wealth of artifacts contained within. Hundreds of statues, idols, carvings, pottery, and other items litter the cave floors, spanning nearly the entire history of Mayan civilization from the Pre-Classic times until well after the Spanish invasion of the Yucatn. Most of the artifacts have not been removed, but rather studied while in the same position as when first discovered, in order to afford visitors to the caverns a unique glimpse of a one-of-a-kind archaeological find unspoiled by later human activity. The layout of the caves is also extremely significant. Consisting of a central column made of limestone, which branches out into an unmistakable series of limb-like patterns, the overall structure of the caves looks like nothing so much as an enormous tree " important because the World-Tree is one of the central concepts of Mayan mythology and religion.
Unforgettable Display of Light and Sound
Those who visit Chichn Itz during the day are encouraged to return after dark; in fact, the same ticket used for daytime admission can be presented again at night in order to attend the light and sound extravaganza, held every evening at the great pyramid El Castillo. The show lasts for about an hour, and features a heart-pounding soundtrack and amazing light and laser visuals. The public narration is in Spanish, but for those who aren't fluent, headphones can be obtained which provide the same soundtrack in your language of choice.
The Descent of Kukulcan
The Spring Equinox (occurring in late March) is an especially important time in the calendar of events at Chichen Itza; for three days, the city hosts a variety of music, theater, and dancing. The centerpiece of this experience is the "Descent of Kukulcan" on the pyramid itself; during the late afternoon, triangle-shaped shadows are cast by the northwest corner of the pyramid, creating an effect that looks uncannily like a snake crawling down the side of the temple. Though there is no archaeological data to support the conjecture, many have assumed the intention of the pyramid's designers was to simulate the great feathered serpent god Kukulcan descending to earth.
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Do you want to travel to Mexico? Check our Mexico Travel site. In case you're looking for a way to enjoy the majestic Mayan ruins, you can see the Chichen Itza Tour .
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