Chichen Itza, which in Mayan means "At the mouth of the well of the Itzas" was, at its peak, the most important city politically, economically, and religiously for the Mayans who inhabited what is now the Yucatan Peninsula.
Nowadays, you can only appreciate vestiges of what was once an impressive city with roads, temples, markets, dwellings, and a population of about 30,000 inhabitants. Up to now scholars have not been able to decipher all of their hieroglyphs on the pyramids, their rites, and the purpose of each of their erections. Nevertheless, we can still appreciate the glory and magnificence of ancient Chichen Itza.
Chichen Itza, now one of The New Seven Wonders of the World, is an interesting archaeological site worth exploring thoroughly. Visiting this fascinating will give you a unique understanding of how the Maya perceived the universe.
Description
Among the colossal structures that make up the city of Chichen Itza, the temple of Kukulcan stands out and is the tallest and the most complex of the buildings. Also known as El Castillo, The Castle, is a four-sided structure with stepped sides and a flat top surmounted by chambers. On the sides of the staircases are stone balusters, and at the base of the north staircase rest two enormous snake heads which represent the Maya deity Kukulcan, 'the feathered serpent'.
The area that is currently open to the public consists of 17 erections including some that have only been partially restored, and two cenotes (water-filled limestone sinkholes). It is believed that at its peak, the city extended 11.7 square miles and future plans for the site include opening another area to the public of about 20,710 sq yd, known as 'The Old Chichen', comprising 13 structures of different sizes and heights as well as two large plazas.
History
The city of Chichen Itza started off as a small agricultural village composed of small huts, and eventually started to flourish around the year 325 A.D., when its inhabitants erected the stone buildings near the cenote Xtoloc known as the Sacred Cenote of Chichen Itza.
Excavations have revealed that at first the city was scarcely populated whereas later on, it was carefully laid out leaving large spaces among the buildings. There are also walkways leading to the city traced out slightly above the ground, which were really white limestone roads called Sacbes that connected the Mayan cities.
Scholars believe that around 1000 A.D. war broke out among the Mayan kingdoms and Chichen Itza was thrown into chaos, causing its decline. Evidence suggests that the thatched roofs over the Temple of the Warriors as well as other structures were probably burned down in the aftermath of war. Consequently, Chichen Itza's collapse gave rise to another Mayan city, Mayapan, which became the new religious and ceremonial center of the Mayan world. By the beginning of the 13th century, the population of Chichen Itza had diminished greatly, however, there is evidence that pilgrimages to the Temple of Kukulcan and the Sacred Cenote didn't cease until the 16th century.
Still a lot to find out
The story of the Mayans is slowly being unraveled and Chichen Itza is no exception, the beautiful buildings still hold a lot of secrets of the great achievements of their constructors. We know that each building was precisely measured and had a definite purpose; the position, orientation, size, etc. The Temple of Kukulcan for instance, perfectly marks the equinoxes and solstices, as does the Platform of Venus, named after the planet which together with the sun, and the moon were worshipped by the Mayans and guided their ceremonies and important events. The Snail or Observatory enabled them to follow the cycle of the moon, which among other purposes helped them determine the planting of crops and the harvest season.
Touring Chichen Itza is undoubtedly a unique experience, as you plunge into the amazing architecture and knowledge of this enigmatic culture. Don't miss the chance to get to understand more about one of the most important civilizations of Pre-Columbian America. Visit Chichen Itza and see one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.