 Chichen Itza ruins: the best manual of ancient Mayan culture
Added: 02/22/2006 |
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Chichen Itza located 120 kilometers from Merida is the best restored record of the ancient life of the Maya. The city ruins are divided into two areas: Old Chichen and New Chichen. The older part of the city has fine examples of the Puuc architectural style with many representations of Chaac, the Mayan god of rain. New Chichen is characterized by images of Kukulcan, the god of the Toltec-Mayan conquerors. The complex of Chichen Itza ruins is a striking manifestation of impressive knowledge of ancient Mayan tribes. Today it is the most visited archaeological site in Mexico, and the modern world is delighted with the ruins of one of the most developed civilizations of the past.
Chichen Itza is located in the state of Yucatan, which is 120 kilometers from Merida, and considered the best restored record of the Maya ancient life. The city ruins are divided into two areas: Old Chichen and New Chichen. Old Chichen was founded about 400 A.D. by the Maya. The older part of the city keeps examples of the richly decorated Puuc architectural style with many representations of the Mayan rain god Chaac. The Church is one of the most outstanding examples of Puuc ornamentation with carved masks of Chaac. Another important building located in the Old Sector of the city is 'El Caracol', an astronomical observatory. Stars can be seen through different windows on specific dates, and in ancient times many rituals and celebrations took place under this giant dome.
New Chichen began about 850 A.D. with the arrival of the Itza from Central Mexico. The city was rebuilt by the Itza and is characterized by images of the god Kukulcan. Kukulcan, the god of the Toltec-Mayan conquerors, was painted in the form of a plumed serpent. The Toltecs were another Mayan tribe who invaded Chichen Itza, and today tourists can see examples of more recent Mayan Toltec architecture among the ruins. The Pyramid of Kukulkan (the Castle), the Temple of Jaguars and other main buildings of New Chichen have architectural characteristics of the Toltec-Mayan style.
The Pyramid of Kukulkan, a solar calendar, is the most impressive structure in the Mayan region. It has 365 steps; a game of light and shadow is formed, and each day's shadows fall upon a different step. This shows the Maya knew the exact length of a solar circle and could carry out precise measurements. The Temple of Jaguars owes its name to the procession of jaguars carved on the front of the structure. These motifs were probably associated with the military order of the 'Tiger Gentlemen'. The jaguar statue at the entrance is believed to be a ceremonial throne, a seat of honor for the lord of Chichen Itza.
The Temple of Warriors is also a good example of the Toltec influence on the Mayan architecture. This Temple was named after the sculpture of warriors on the pillars of the front and supporting columns. The Group of 1000 Columns was built between 900 and 1200 A.D. The columns once supported a roof of a great meeting hall. The Platform of Sculls was used to display the skulls of the defeated enemy warriors as well as the heads of sacrificial victims. The Platform of Eagles and Jaguars was probably a military structure, on which homage was paid to the 'Eagle Knights' and 'Jaguar Knights' who were an elite fighting force.
The complex of Chichen Itza ruins is a striking demonstration of impressive knowledge and achievements of ancient Mayan tribes. Chichen Itza was populated between the 5th and 14th centuries A.D. So, the city remained silent for many centuries, after the year when the inhabitants of Chichen Itza decided to leave the city. Presently, it is the most visited archaeological site in Mexico, and the people of today are enchanted with the ruins of one of the most developed civilizations of the past.
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