Copernicus/Maya

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Chichen Itza (from Yucatec Maya: chich'en itza', "At the mouth of the well of the Itza") is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula, present-day Mexico.

Introduction

Chichen Itza was a major regional center in the northern Maya lowlands from the Late Classic through the Terminal Classic and into the early portion of the Early Postclassic period. The site exhibits a multitude of architectural styles, from what is called “Mexicanized” and reminiscent of styles seen in central Mexico to the Puuc style found among the Puuc Maya of the northern lowlands. The presence of central Mexican styles was once thought to have been representative of direct migration or even conquest from central Mexico, but most contemporary interpretations view the presence of these non-Maya styles more as the result of cultural diffusion.

Archaeological data, such as evidence of burning at a number of important structures and architectural complexes, suggest that Chichen Itza's collapse was violent. Following the decline of Chichen Itza's hegemony, regional power in the Yucatán shifted to a new center at Mayapan.

The ruins of Chichen Itza are federal property, and the site’s stewardship is maintained by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, INAH). The land under the monuments, however, is privately-owned by the Barbachano family.

El Castillo

Dominating the center of Chichén is the Temple of Kukulcan (the Maya name for Quetzalcoatl), often referred to as "El Castillo" (the castle). This step pyramid has a ground plan of square terraces with stairways up each of the 4 sides to the temple on top. The Pyramid hides the most precious treasures on the top. Just after few hundreds of steps up, one must stop to admire not only a breath taking view but also awesome, mystical <altar> used in ancient ceremonies to glorify the gods (often with the sacrifice of many lives). The remains of <the skull> that can be found of the right-hand side of the altar is the silent monument of the years of annihilation of many innocent lives.

There is also one more interesting place in the Temple of Kukulcan. In the center of the pyramid, in the chamber on the top, one can admire a Chac Mool statue and a throne in the shape of jaguar (called the <Jaguar throne>).