Chichen Itza Pyramid

Chichen Itza was built by the Mayan people. They were a Mesoamerican civilization and are noted for having the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas. The art, architecture, and sophisticated mathematical and astronomical systems of the Mayan culture are amazing, especially considering the age in which they were developed - at least 3,000 to 4,000 years ago!

Mayan culture was established in the period from around 2000 B.C.E. to 250 C.E. Mayan cities, like Chichen Itza, reached their highest state of development during the period from around 250 C.E. to 900 C.E. and continued their dominance until the arrival of the Spanish. Chichen Itza rose to regional prominence approximately 600 C.E. and declined between 1000 and 1200 C.E., with rulership over the Yucatan shifting to Mayapan.


Ancient Mayan City Ruin, Chichen Itza, showing columns in the Temple of a Thousand Warriors
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The Maya who built Chichen Itza were much influenced by the more Northerly Toltec culture, as shown by the presence of Chac Mool statues. Chac Mools are statues of a human figure in a reclining position, holding a tray over the stomach and with the head turned to one side. The purpose of the tray is unknown, although speculated to be related to sacrifices.


Mayan Ruins including Chac Mool statue at Chichen Itza Site, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico
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As wonderful as the Maya probably were, it is undeniable that they were also rather bloodthirsty. They were apparently into sacrifices in a big way, most likely including human sacrifices, which is one of the purposes of their pyramids. I think some of their art is a bit weird too!


Detail, Mayan Ruins, Chichen Itza, Unesco World Heritage Site, Yucatan, Mexico
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Anyway, one of the things the Mayan people did rather spectacularly was to build pyramids. These are not really like the Egyptian pyramids, like the Great Pyramids of Giza, but are intricately carved stone pyramids featuring stairs on the outside. Chichen Itza has one of the most famous Mayan step pyramids, known today as "El Castillo," the castle.


Ancient Mayan City Ruins, Chichen Itza, Mexico
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Chichen Itza, Mexico
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The Mayan people often placed their most important religious temples at the top of their towering pyramids, as in the Chichen Itza pyramid. Presumably the top of the pyramid was viewed appropriate for worship, being the closest place to the heavens.


The Castle (El Castillo), Also Known as Pyramid of Kukulkan, Chichen Itza, Mexico
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The temple atop the step pyramid at Chichen Itza is known today as "El Castillo" since it clearly resembles a castle. From its imposing location, dominating the center of Chichen Itza, this step pyramid has a square base and stairways up a series of terraces to the Temple of Kukulkan (the Mayan name for Quetzalcoatl) at the top, a height of about 75 feet.



El Castillo, Pyramid of Kukulkan, Chichen Itza, Mexico
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The pyramid is constructed with a series of nine terraces, and four stairways of 91 steps each. The total number of stairs is thus 364 plus an extra one to enter the temple at the top, a total of 365. Remembering that the Maya were into astronomy and calendars, this is obviously related to the number of days in the year!



Mayan Ruins, Chichen Itza, Mexico
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Kukulkan is the "Feathered serpent," a god in Mayan mythology, more well-known by his Aztec name Quetzalcoatl. For the Mayans, the serpent was a very important social and religious symbol. The shedding of the serpent's skin made it a symbol of rebirth and renewal.

The "Vision Serpent" was the most important of the Mayan serpents. For them, the Vision Serpent was a direct link between the spirit realm of the gods and the physical world of men. Participants in special rituals would experience visions in which they communicated with the gods who emerged from the serpent's mouth. Kukulkan has been identified as the Vision Serpent of Classic Maya art.

Image of Kukulkan at the Classic Maya site of Yaxchilan from Wikimedia Commons.


Serpent's Head at Bottom of Great Pyramid, Chichen Itza, Mayan Site, Mexico
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The cult of Kukulkan was the first Mesoamerican religion to transcend linguistic and ethnic divisions, facilitating communication and peaceful trade. This cult originated in the ancient city of Chichen Itza where Kukulkan's temple sits atop a great pyramid.

Chichen Itza doesn't just have a temple on top of a pyramid dedicated to this Kukulkan. There is also the Great Ball Court, the largest ball court in ancient Mesoamerica. The imposing walls are almost 40 feet (12 meters) high and in the center, high up on each of the long walls, are rings carved with intertwining serpents and other figures.


Carving of Human Figure, Main Ball Court, Chichen Itza
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But the great ball court at Chichen Itza was not built just for playing the great Mesoamerican ballgame. There is also the Mayan prophecy that on December 22, 2012, the great warrior serpent Kukulkan will rise up from the ground beneath it and this will signify the end of the world. And remember, the Mayans were pretty accurate in their mathematics, astronomy, calendars, and prophecies, so watch out if you head for Chichen Itza and Kukulkan's pyramid in December 2012!

So the archaeological site of Chichen Itza is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many of the buildings have been restored or at least preserved. And its open to tourists, which is great!


Ancient Mayan Ruins, Chichen Itza, Mexico
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So, El Castillo looks pretty good today although not as splendid as it no doubt was in its heyday. But with a bit of atmospheric weather I think it's quite an impressive sight!


The Castle (El Castillo), Also Known as Pyramid of Kukulkan, Chichen Itza, Mexico
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On a nice sunny day looks like a nice little climb to get a good view doesn't it?


Chichen Itza Castle, Mexico
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Watch out though, those steps are really steep!



Mayan Ruins, Chichen Itza, Unesco World Heritage Site, Yucatan, Mexico
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Going back down is scary!



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In fact, a woman fell to her death from the pyramid in 2006, causing the authorities to prohibit tourists from climbing the steps to the top.

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