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Chichen Itza, Mexico (January 2011)

The ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza (meaning "the mouth of the well of the Itzas") is an awe-inspiring archaeological wonder. There is feeling of size and greatness at Chichen Itza. It was built by the Maya civilization in the northern center of the Yucatan Peninsula. Chichen Itza reached its peak between 700 and 1200 AD, although it was inhabited for over 2,000 years. The Mayans were one of the greatest civilizations of all time. They controlled trade and unified the region as well as being the center of political, economic and military power in the area. They were way ahead of their time in astrology, mathematics and science. It is a mystery as to the cause of the decline the Maya civilization. There may have been several causes. The best-known architectural complex of Chichen Itza is the Great North Platform, which includes the monuments of El Castillo, the Temple of Warriors and the Great Ball Court. El Castillo is the main attraction of Chichen Itza. It is a spectacular, massive Mesoamerican step-pyramid. The biggest tourist event of the year in Chichen Itza is during the spring and autumn equinoxes, when the sun casts a shadow in the shape of a serpent on the corner of El Castillo. Chichen Iza is even more mobbed with tourists then. Even though there are always a lot of tourists at Chichen Itza, and it is often hot there, it does not diminish the impact of its greatness or the need to visit it.
Chichen Itza, Mexico cover page.
Chichen Itza, Mexico cover page.		 Map of Mexico.
Map of Mexico.		 Map of the Yucatan with Chichen Itza indicated by the blue box.
Map of the Yucatan with Chichen Itza indicated by the blue box.		 Map of Chichen Itza.
Map of Chichen Itza.
At one of the stops during the tour, we saw this peacock showing off its plumage.
At one of the stops during the tour, we saw this peacock showing off its plumage.		 We stopped at this hut where this woman was making Mexican tortillas.
We stopped at this hut where this woman was making Mexican tortillas.		 She is frying them over the fire.
She is frying them over the fire.		 There are numerous sinkholes (cenotes) in the Yucatan including this one called Ikil, which means Sacred Blue Cenote.
There are numerous sinkholes (cenotes) in the Yucatan including this one called "Ikil," which means "Sacred Blue Cenote."
Cenote Ikil is almost round. The water is about 90 feet deep.
Cenote Ikil is almost round. The water is about 90 feet deep.		 A tourist swimming in the sinkhole with other tourists contemplating a swim. I went in but did not stay in the water long.
A tourist swimming in the sinkhole with other tourists contemplating a swim. I went in but did not stay in the water long.		 You can see a hole in the roof of the sinkhole.
You can see a hole in the roof of the sinkhole.		 Cenote Ikil is a big tourist attraction since it is only about 10 minutes from Chichen Itza.
Cenote Ikil is a big tourist attraction since it is only about 10 minutes from Chichen Itza.
We stopped at a tourist trap for lunch. These Mayan childbirth statues were for sale.
We stopped at a tourist trap for lunch. These Mayan childbirth statues were for sale.		 Another Mayan childbirth statue. I did not buy one!
Another Mayan childbirth statue. I did not buy one!		 Perimeter wall of the Great Ball Court in Chichen Itza. The base of the walls are slanted benches for ancient Maya players.
Perimeter wall of the Great Ball Court in Chichen Itza. The base of the walls are slanted benches for ancient Maya players.		 Outside the Great Ball Court, is the Lower Temple of the Jaguars, where it is still possible to make out colors on the walls.
Outside the Great Ball Court, is the Lower Temple of the Jaguars, where it is still possible to make out colors on the walls.
View of the ancient Maya pyramid, El Castillo (the Castle), the most famous monument at Chichen Itza.
View of the ancient Maya pyramid, El Castillo (the Castle), the most famous monument at Chichen Itza.		 El Castillo has square terraces on the bottom with stairways going up each of the four sides of the temple on top.
El Castillo has square terraces on the bottom with stairways going up each of the four sides of the temple on top.		 During the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, on the corner of the structure, the sun casts a shadow in the shape of a serpent.
During the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, on the corner of the structure, the sun casts a shadow in the shape of a serpent.		 The serpant is called Kukulcan, or Quetzalcoatl. The shadow is cast along the west side of the north staircase.
The serpant is called Kukulcan, or Quetzalcoatl. The shadow is cast along the west side of the north staircase.
In the mid 1930s, the Mexican government excavated El Castillo and found another temple buried below the current one.
In the mid 1930s, the Mexican government excavated El Castillo and found another temple buried below the current one.		 Inside was a Chac Mool (a stone statue depicting a human figure) and a red Jaguar throne with spots made of inlaid jade.
Inside was a Chac Mool (a stone statue depicting a human figure) and a red Jaguar throne with spots made of inlaid jade.		 Close-up of El Castillo. At one time, the old temple's throne room was opened to the public, but it was the closed in 2006.
Close-up of El Castillo. At one time, the old temple's throne room was opened to the public, but it was the closed in 2006.		 Not every side of El Castillo is restored. This side obviously is not.
Not every side of El Castillo is restored. This side obviously is not.
This is a typical Maya hut that we saw at Chichen Itza.
This is a typical Maya hut that we saw at Chichen Itza.		 Inside the hut, the tour guide was explaining about Maya life and culture.
Inside the hut, the tour guide was explaining about Maya life and culture.		 Along the south wall of the Temple of Warriors are a series of exposed columns called Group of a Thousand Columns.
Along the south wall of the Temple of Warriors are a series of exposed columns called "Group of a Thousand Columns."		 When the city was inhabited these would have supported an extensive roof system.
When the city was inhabited these would have supported an extensive roof system.
The columns are in three distinct sections: an east group, a north group and a northeast group.
The columns are in three distinct sections: an east group, a north group and a northeast group.		 Some of the columns formed a small temple at the southeast corner of the Temple of Warriors.
Some of the columns formed a small temple at the southeast corner of the Temple of Warriors.		 Bas-relief carvings of animals near the Temple of Warriors and Group of a Thousand Columns.
Bas-relief carvings of animals near the Temple of Warriors and "Group of a Thousand Columns."		 There are also carvings of people or gods, as well as animals and serpents.
There are also carvings of people or gods, as well as animals and serpents.
View of Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors) at Chichen Itza.
View of Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors) at Chichen Itza.		 It consists of a large stepped pyramid with rows of carved columns depicting warriors.
It consists of a large stepped pyramid with rows of carved columns depicting warriors.		 At the top of the stairway on the pyramid’s summit (and leading towards the entrance of the pyramid’s temple) is a Chac Mool.
At the top of the stairway on the pyramid’s summit (and leading towards the entrance of the pyramid’s temple) is a Chac Mool.		 View of the Chac-Mool. It is a stone statue of a human figure in a reclining position with the head up and turned to one side.
View of the Chac-Mool. It is a stone statue of a human figure in a reclining position with the head up and turned to one side.
This temple encases or entombs a former structure called The Temple of the Chac Mool.
This temple encases or entombs a former structure called The Temple of the Chac Mool.		 The restoration of this building was done by the Carnegie Institute of Washington from 1925–1928.
The restoration of this building was done by the Carnegie Institute of Washington from 1925–1928.		 Front view of the Temple of the Warriors.
Front view of the Temple of the Warriors.		 Columns of what once was a covered market in Chichen Itza.
Columns of what once was a covered market in Chichen Itza.
These columns probably held a thatched roof.
These columns probably held a thatched roof.		 Most guides refer to this area as the marketplace.
Most guides refer to this area as the marketplace.		 Excavations next to El Castillo began in 2009.
Excavations next to El Castillo began in 2009.		 The new excavations reveal that Chichen Itza is an older city than archeologists realized.
The new excavations reveal that Chichen Itza is an older city than archeologists realized.
They found a substructure that predates all three of those structures and is estimated to be from between 8th and 9th centuries.
They found a substructure that predates all three of those structures and is estimated to be from between 8th and 9th centuries.		 The excavation team uncovered 12 linear meters of the substructure, including a building corner, a cornice and a sloped wall.
The excavation team uncovered 12 linear meters of the substructure, including a building corner, a cornice and a sloped wall.		 According to archaeologist Rafael Cobos, it is not known where it ends or if it has a staircase.
According to archaeologist Rafael Cobos, it is not known where it ends or if it has a staircase.		 Platform of Venus in Chichen Itza is dedicated to the planet Venus.
Platform of Venus in Chichen Itza is dedicated to the planet Venus.
It is located opposite the pyramid El Castillo, at the entrance to the Ceremonial Fire, the path leading to the Cenote Sagrado.
It is located opposite the pyramid El Castillo, at the entrance to the Ceremonial Fire, the path leading to the Cenote Sagrado.		 It is a low platform which was probably used for public addresses or rituals of some sort, such as dance or sacrifice.
It is a low platform which was probably used for public addresses or rituals of some sort, such as dance or sacrifice.		 In its interior archaeologists discovered a collection of large cones carved out of stone, the purpose of which is unknown.
In its interior archaeologists discovered a collection of large cones carved out of stone, the purpose of which is unknown.		 Maya sculptures of serpent heads protruding from the Platform of Venus.
Maya sculptures of serpent heads protruding from the Platform of Venus.
Close-up of one of the serpent heads.
Close-up of one of the serpent heads.		 Bas-relief of a jaguar at Chichen Itza.
Bas-relief of a jaguar at Chichen Itza.		 Tzompantli monument is a low, flat platform surrounded with carved depictions of human skulls.
Tzompantli monument is a low, flat platform surrounded with carved depictions of human skulls.		 Close-up of the Tzompantli monument.
Close-up of the Tzompantli monument.
Cenote Sagrado, where Maya sacrificed objects and human beings into this sinkhole to worship to the Maya rain god Chaac.
Cenote Sagrado, where Maya sacrificed objects and human beings into this sinkhole to worship to the Maya rain god Chaac.		 Man carving a Maya mask.
Man carving a Maya mask.		 This woman was selling some interesting tapestries
This woman was selling some interesting tapestries		 Mexican dresses and baskets for sale.
Mexican dresses and baskets for sale.
These colorful Maya masks were also for sale.
These colorful Maya masks were also for sale.		 They came in many shapes and sizes.
They came in many shapes and sizes.

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