What is the mystery of Chichen Itza?

The city, located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, was one of the most powerful Mayan centers from the 7th to 13th centuries. Chichen Itza's mystery stems from its unique architecture, complex astronomical observations, and its sudden abandonment.



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Well, in Chichen Itza, one pyramid can hide another! Incredible but true! The archaeologists have discovered that the Great Pyramid of Kukulkan was actually built over another smaller pyramid (of about 30 ft high) around 550-800 AD.

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After descending the pyramid steps, she was met by an angry crowd who yelled “jail jail jail” and “idiot,” though the woman seemed relatively unphased. Villalobos was then escorted from the site and taken to the nearby community of Tinum, where she received a fine of 5,000 pesos, roughly $250.

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If you are planning a trip to Mexico, Here are 7 interesting facts about Chichén Itzá In Mexico
  • Chichén Itzá is one of the largest Mayan cities ever built. ...
  • Chichén Itzá takes its name from cenotes. ...
  • The Maya Peoples built Chichén Itzá ...
  • Invaders built the Chichén Itzá pyramid. ...
  • On top of the pyramid is a feathered snake.


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Via its port at Isla Cerritos on the northern coast, Chichen Itza became an important commercial center, trading in goods—including gold and other treasures—with other cities throughout the Americas. At its height, it is believed that as many as 50,000 people lived in the city.

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Many of the ancient Maya suffered at the hands of the Spanish in the 16th century as they conquered their land, burnt their books and brought disease and death in their wake. Fortunately, there are descendants of the ancient Maya living today, around 8 million.

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In the 1930s, however, a group of excavators began exploring and discovered that another pyramid-temple was nestled within the larger pyramid. Further excavations revealed that it had nine platforms, a single stairway, and a temple containing human remains, a jade-studded jaguar throne, and a so-called Chac Mool.

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Maya priests in the city of Chichen Itza in the Yucatan peninsula sacrificed children to petition the gods for rain and fertile fields by throwing them into sacred sinkhole caves, known as “cenotes.” The caves served as a source of water for the Mayans and were also thought to be an entrance to the underworld.

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The ruins of Chichén Itzá are federal property, and the site's stewardship is maintained by Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (National Institute of Anthropology and History).

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The main Mayan Ruin is the Chichen Itza Pyramid or El Castillo, but there are other equaly important as El Caracol or Observatory, The Temple of The Warriors and the Mayan Ball Game.

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The snake symbolizes Kukulcan, a great leader and ruler of Chichen Itza associated with the feathered serpent god (known as Quetzalcoatl in central Mexico), who is said to return to earth to give hope to his followers. It also heralds the spring planting and fall harvest seasons for the Maya.

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13 Facts About Chichen Itza, One Of The 7 Wonders Of The World
  • 6 There Are Smaller Pyramids Within.
  • 7 It Isn't Entirely Mayan. ...
  • 8 It May Have Been Used For Sacrifices. ...
  • 9 It Is Being Restored. ...
  • 10 It Was Built Near Sinkholes. ...
  • 11 It's Built With Diverse Materials. ...
  • 12 It Was Used As An Observatory. ...
  • 13 It Was Discovered Twice. ...


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A severe, prolonged drought created an agricultural crisis that swept all of the Maya kingdoms into history. That's the popular narrative for the fall of the ancient Maya.

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The Pyramid of El Castillo in Chichén Itzá was built to reflect the Mayan astronomical year. Each side has 91 steps with a final step at the top, so there are 365 steps total. The Pyramid was constructed so that it marks the equinoxes—the two days of the year when there are equal amounts of day and night.

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