Chichen Itza: The mysterious Mayan beauty and the jewel in Mexico’s crown 

By Aarushi Ganguli

The mysteries surrounding the ancient societies in South America have captured people’s imaginations since they were first discovered. Adding to the mystery are the little-known details about these communities, such as the fact that the Mayans seem to have had a better understanding of astronomy and mathematics than the brightest minds of today. Places such as Chichenitza allow the public to marvel at these ancient societies while also allowing experts to delve into the past.  

Chichén Itzá, spelled this way in traditional Yucatec Maya and often spelled Chichen Itza in English, was a large pre-Columbian city built by the Maya people of the Terminal Classic Period. The archeological site is in Tinúm Municipality, Yucatán State, Mexico. The main site within the city is the Temple of Kukulkan (shown above) but this is not the only thing to see in the area. Chichén Itzá was a major focal point in the Northern Maya Lowlands from the Late Classic Period (c. AD 600–900), the Terminal Classic Period (c. AD 800–900) and into the early portion of the Post-Classic Period (c. AD 900–1200). The site exhibits a multitude of architectural styles, reminiscent of those in central Mexico and of the Puuc and Chenes styles of the Northern Maya lowlands. The presence of Mexican styles was once thought to be a consequence of migration or conquest from central Mexico, but most contemporary interpretations now view these styles as the result of cultural diffusion. 

Chichén Itzá was one of the largest Maya cities and was likely to have been one of the mythical great cities (or Tollans, referred to in later Mesoamerican literature). The city may have had the most diverse population in the Maya world, a factor that could have contributed to the variety of architectural styles. Chichén Itzá rose to prominence toward the end of the Early Classic Period (roughly 600 AD). However, toward the end of the Late Classic Period and into the early part of the Terminal Classic Period, the site became a major regional capital, centralizing and dominating political, socio-cultural, and economic life in the northern Maya lowlands. The ascension of Chichen Itza correlates with the decline of the major centers of the southern Maya lowlands. As Chichén Itzá rose to prominence, the cities of Yaxuna (to the South) and Coba (to the East) declined. These two cities had been mutual allies, with Yaxuna dependent upon Coba. At some point in the 10th century, Coba lost a significant portion of its territory, isolating Yaxuna. Chichen Itza may have directly contributed to the collapse of both cities. After Chichén Itzá elite activities ceased around 1100 AD, the city may not have been abandoned. When the Spanish arrived, they found a thriving local population, although it is not clear from Spanish sources if these Maya were living in Chichen Itza, or a nearby settlement. The high population density in the region was a factor in the conquistadors’ decision to locate a capital there.  

There is plenty to see in the city, for example the Temple of Kukulcán , named after a feathered serpent deity similar to the Aztec Quetzalcoatl. One of the reasons it is named after Kukulcan is that in the late afternoon, the north-west corner of the pyramid casts a series of shadows against the western balustrade that evokes the appearance of a serpent wriggling down the staircase. Besides this, there is the Casa de las Monjas, a complex of buildings that was used as living quarters for the city’s elite, and the El Caracol: an observatory to study the night sky. Additionally, there is the well-known Great Ball Court, which is the largest and best-preserved ball court in ancient Mesoamerica. There is also the Temple of the Warriors. This complex is analogous to Temple B at the Toltec capital of Tula and indicates some form of cultural contact between the two regions. The use of it would be to gloriously depict battle scenes, which is common amongst great ancient societies.  

If you have any interest in seeing what an ancient society of the Mayans might have looked like, or in learning more about how the finds in Chichen Itza lend themselves to build a rich tapestry of the history of the Mayans, book a flight to Mexico and revel in the delights of the region.  

Ka xi’ik teech utsil (Good luck in Yucatan Mayan) 

Edited by Sarah Michaelides

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_city