Chichén Itzá
Chichén
Itzá was the capital of the Mayan civilisation. Meaning "Mouth
of the Wells of Itzá", the city was named after 2 natural
wells which were its main source of water. Located in the northern part
of the Yucatan Peninsula, Chichen Itza was built around 600 AD and covered
an area of 6 square miles.
Left: The Pyramid of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza. Photo by Ed Dawson.
The civilisation at the city flourished greatly in all aspects - art, astronomy, medicine, agriculture, architecture - until 1200 AD. Its rulers had great military and political influence throughout the peninsular. The ruins at the city are mainly pyramidal structures built on platforms. They include the great Ball Court where ball teams played for their lives; the Nunnery, a structure whose function is not known but was named by the Spanish who saw in it a resemblance to their nunneries; the Sacred Well, the Temple of Warriors, and 2 structures we will be exploring - the Pyramid of Kukulcan and the Caracol of Chichen Itza.