We do not travel to sit on a beach, although we will do this occasionally, but travel to explore. Cancun provided a great opportunity to visit a world heritage site Chichen Itza, a Mayan ruin.
One of the first sights found on the site is the archway identifying the entrance to the city. IF the keystone at the top of the arch would fall away, the arch would remain standing. The fences encircling the town were not used to keep people out, but to create the demarcation with the outside community.
This pyramid is called El Castillo. The priests would speak to large congregations from the top. The acoustic design was surprising. The structure was constructed of limestone, totally encasing a smaller similar structure at its core.
The stone selected for the veneer was different from that selected for the steps. During the quarrying process, the Mayans noted different acoustic characteristics for the different rocks. The veneer deadened the sound, while the material used for the steps echoed the sound. The result was that sound generated at the base and in line with the steps - say a clap - would echo into the chamber on top of the pyramid, creating a sound not that dissimilar to the sound of a big bird chirping. This echo could be clearly heard at the base of the pyramid and along the line of sight of the stairs.
A common motif for this site was the god of rain, shown here.
This building - the nunnery - was named by the Spaniards because of its size relative to the "church" which was an adjacent religious building. You can see the figure along the building corners.
Corner details
Say hi to Chuk Mool
Many columns were found in an around the ruins. These were in the temple of the warriors
Jaguars were also a popular motif seen around the ruins.
The eagle shown on the right was the symbol of the tall Mayans - a group that arrived in the area later, and increased the sacrifice frequency dramatically. The Jaguar was the symbol of the previous residents.
Serpent heads adorned a number of the stairs. These were more intricate than those on El Castillo
There were two ball courts - this being called the great ball court, as it was approximately the size of a football stadium. Two teams worked to bump a ball into the circular goal shown in this photo. No hands nor feet could be used. Hips, knees, shoulders, stomachs, etc. were used to bump the hard rubber ball slightly larger than a softball. The captains were allowed to stand under the goal on an elevated platform, while the rest of the team worked the ball from the court approximately 1.5 meters lower. All in good fun - except of coarse that one of the captains looses his life. REliefs along the captains platform shows players who have had their heads cut off. Our guide note that there was controversy regarding the question of which captain lost his head -the loser or winner.
The guards had to escort my brother (man in red) off the upper platform after he tried to stick his head into the goal. He kept screaming that it was a natural fit.
This was a second training court - approximately 1/4the size of the great court.
Our guide
Vendors occupied all paths and hawked their wears
I did not see these skeletons elsewhere, but most of the items were repeated throughout this area, and in the cities.
The bus stopped at a Mayan Co-op on the way back to Cancun. Many forms of colorful nick knacks, clothing and jewelry. Our guide explained that there are approximately 6-7 million Mayans, most living middle class lives. Many of the locals were engaged in the making and sale of these items to tourists. Ubiquitous.
One of the first sights found on the site is the archway identifying the entrance to the city. IF the keystone at the top of the arch would fall away, the arch would remain standing. The fences encircling the town were not used to keep people out, but to create the demarcation with the outside community.
The Mexicans have begun to restore the structure, having completed 3 faces. This photo shows the loose exposed stones on one side, with the stone veneer on the other. The numbers of levels and boxes shown on the left relate to the calendar, counting out nine months (9 levels) and 52 weeks (52 boxes).
The stone selected for the veneer was different from that selected for the steps. During the quarrying process, the Mayans noted different acoustic characteristics for the different rocks. The veneer deadened the sound, while the material used for the steps echoed the sound. The result was that sound generated at the base and in line with the steps - say a clap - would echo into the chamber on top of the pyramid, creating a sound not that dissimilar to the sound of a big bird chirping. This echo could be clearly heard at the base of the pyramid and along the line of sight of the stairs.
At the base of each stair were to serpent head carvings. If observed from the side during a certain time of year, the steps block out some of the setting sun, but some reaches the edge of the stair above the serpent head. The light creates the image of reptile diamond scales reaching to the head. It was unclear if this was a planned outcome or an empirical surprise from the design.
A common motif for this site was the god of rain, shown here.
This building - the nunnery - was named by the Spaniards because of its size relative to the "church" which was an adjacent religious building. You can see the figure along the building corners.
Corner details
This ruin was called the church by the Spaniards.
A relief on the side of the Church
The observatory was the first building visible a to us as we approached the ruins. Like El Castillo, it was oriented to create light images on the floor of the building at solstice.
The temple of the warriors was where the business of death occurred.
Top center between the columns can be seen Chuk Mool, a version of which is shown below this photo. The Mayans participated in sacrificing prisoners and their own the please the gods. The victim's were initially drugged and while sedated, the priests would cut their hearts out. The heart would be placed on Chuk Mool mid section and burned in a ritual. As mentioned in addition to prisoners, they would kill their own. Once a year they would kill their best warrior, after which he would be skinned. The priest would wear his skin, and the body would be consumed by the rest of the warriors.
Say hi to Chuk Mool
Many columns were found in an around the ruins. These were in the temple of the warriors
Jaguars were also a popular motif seen around the ruins.
Reliefs were also common, incorporating designs of jaguars, eagles, stylized and the Mayan or victims
The eagle shown on the right was the symbol of the tall Mayans - a group that arrived in the area later, and increased the sacrifice frequency dramatically. The Jaguar was the symbol of the previous residents.
Serpent heads adorned a number of the stairs. These were more intricate than those on El Castillo
There were two ball courts - this being called the great ball court, as it was approximately the size of a football stadium. Two teams worked to bump a ball into the circular goal shown in this photo. No hands nor feet could be used. Hips, knees, shoulders, stomachs, etc. were used to bump the hard rubber ball slightly larger than a softball. The captains were allowed to stand under the goal on an elevated platform, while the rest of the team worked the ball from the court approximately 1.5 meters lower. All in good fun - except of coarse that one of the captains looses his life. REliefs along the captains platform shows players who have had their heads cut off. Our guide note that there was controversy regarding the question of which captain lost his head -the loser or winner.
The guards had to escort my brother (man in red) off the upper platform after he tried to stick his head into the goal. He kept screaming that it was a natural fit.
Outside of the court was this wall showing skulls carved in relief. It was explained that artists carved the shape of the skull of the headless captain and placed it in this wall.
At the end on the court was another elevated platform where the priest watched the games. at the back and middle of the platform were a series of reliefs, some significantly eroded, one in particularly good shape. If you look closely, you will see a figure of a bearded man - Mayans do not grow beards. It is thought that this could have been a viking - others obviously link this figure to Christianity. I neglected to ask if the rock was carbon dated to assess it's age compared to the adjacent carvings.
This was a second training court - approximately 1/4the size of the great court.
Our guide
Vendors occupied all paths and hawked their wears
I did not see these skeletons elsewhere, but most of the items were repeated throughout this area, and in the cities.
This sinkhole was near the ruins and was used to toss victims, and articles to the gods. They obviously did not drink from this water source. It was probably 40-50 meters across and 30-40 meters to the surface of the water.
The bus stopped at a Mayan Co-op on the way back to Cancun. Many forms of colorful nick knacks, clothing and jewelry. Our guide explained that there are approximately 6-7 million Mayans, most living middle class lives. Many of the locals were engaged in the making and sale of these items to tourists. Ubiquitous.
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