What happened to the Maya city of Chichen Itza?
What happened to the Maya city of Chichen Itza?
Long abandoned by the Spanish, and then by the newly formed country of Mexico, Chichen Itza became a significant architectural site in the mid-1800s. It remains so today. A number of important structures of the original city remain standing, some thanks to restoration efforts on the part of the Mexican government.
Why did the Mayans leave Chichen Itza?
Scholars have suggested a number of potential reasons for the downfall of Maya civilization in the southern lowlands, including overpopulation, environmental degradation, warfare, shifting trade routes and extended drought. What is certain is that the Mayans didn’t disappear in the aftermath of the collapse.
How safe is Chichen Itza?
Despite all rates of unsafe Mexico’s places, Chichen Itza is far from dangerous. The place receives over a million tourists a year and approximately 70% of them are foreigners. You can imagine that this one of the most visited places in the world. So, it’s totally safe to visit.
What was the name of the Mayan temple in Chichen Itza?
Dominating the North Platform of Chichen Itza is the Temple of Kukulkan (a Maya feathered serpent deity similar to the Aztec Quetzalcoatl). The temple is usually referred to as El Castillo (“the castle”), as it was so named by first Spaniards in the area.
When was the Jaguar Temple in Chichen Itza built?
The Temple of the Jaguar in Chichen Itza was built between the years 1000 and 1150.
Where is the location of Chichen Itza in Mexico?
Aerial view of a small portion of Chichen Itza Chichen Itza is located in the eastern portion of Yucatán state in Mexico. [10] The northern Yucatán Peninsula is karst , and the rivers in the interior all run underground.
What to do in front of the Chichen Itza pyramid?
One cool trick to try in front of the temple is to clap as loud as you can. The sound echoes up the side of the structure, mimicking the sound of the local Quetzal bird, a spiritually important animal to the ancient Mayans. This feature was engineered into the pyramid on purpose, which is pretty crazy to think about!