8+Chichen+Itza

Mary Kate M. Chichen Itza



Chichén Itzá Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is an ancient Mayan center for religion, urban resources, and socializing. Chichén Itzá’s was used from 625AD, when the first Mayans were settling in, to 1200AD, when it was still being used for religious ceremonies. The arts and science of the city flourished from 625-700. It is located on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, about 125 miles from the city of Cancun. It is a popular day-trip location for tourists staying there. So, just what is Chichén Itzá? The name itself was given to the city by its Mayan builders and architects. The Mayan Indians populated the area from southern Mexico, down into Guatemala and Belize. Chichén Itzá literally means mouth well in Mayan. The city is aptly named because of the many wells scattered throughout the city and concentrated around its limestone walls. Religion was of utmost importance to the Mayans, and these wells also served a religious purpose. The Mayans believed their rain god, Chaac, lived in the bottom of the wells. During times of drought, strong young men and beautiful women were sometimes thrown down wells to make suitable companions for Chaac, and in return the god would produce rain. The other main monument to Chaac was the Temple of the Warriors with a statue of Chaac reclining on top of it. The still beating hearts of the sacrificed were placed in his hand. Religion was tied into everything the Mayans did, even their recreational activities. The Mayans enjoyed playing pok-ta-pok, a game where two teams tried to get a rubber ball between two poles on the other team’s side of the court. It was a popular game among children, and the winning team was entitled to the losing team’s possessions. Of course, when adults played seriously, the losers were decapitated and sacrificed to the gods. By far the most important building in Chichén Itzá is the Pyramid of Kukuclan, which is still visible today. The Mayans were very intelligent, and built the pyramid with acoustics in mind. A priest could stand on top of the pyramid and be easily heard from the plaza below. At the foot of the pyramid is a snake head, which is seemingly unimportant until the first day of spring and fall, when the light hits the pyramid just right, and up the side of the pyramid a shadow is cast in the shape of a snake’s body and connects eerily to the snake head. Other minor buildings include the Platform of Venus, a religious dance floor, El Caracol, an observatory, and the Nunnery, where virgins destined to be sacrificed are believed to have been raised. In conclusion, Chichén Itzá served as an important religious center for many centuries and was essential to the growth and well being of many groups of people including the Maya, the Incas, and others. Chichén Itzá has many beautiful carvings, buildings, and other monuments dedicated to the rulers and the gods to whom the Maya were so devoted. It is truly a wondrous wonder, and has provided more details than many other areas about the Maya and their past. It is a well preserved, marvelous complex that is a great tourist attraction as well.

]