Page 11 - PGA Community News - July '23

July 2023
Chichén Itzá: from page 10
The Temple of Kukulkan, a pyramid, dominates the Great
North Platform and is by far the most photographed structure;
it’s the symbol of Chichén Itzá. It is also known as El Castillo
or “the castle.” The structure, which was constructed right on
top of an older one, towers over the site and stands eight stories
(79 feet) above the main grass plaza in the city. Each side of
the pyramid has a single run of stairs, each with 91 steps that
culminate at a platform on top. A square structure is located
on top of the platform with an opening on all four sides and is
one step higher. A carving at the top temple is a plumed serpent
that’s symbolic of Quetzalcóatl, one of the deities of ancient
Mesoamerica.
The Mayans were amazing astronomers and it is believed The Red Jaguar Throne lies within the main pyramid
that El Castillo is an example of their sense of time, with four
sets of 91 steps equaling 364 and the step on top rounding off
to 365, the number of days in the year. The pyramid has been jade. Because of a tragic accident several years ago,
intentionally erected with each side facing a cardinal direction.
During the fall and spring equinoxes, the walls that frame the
sides of the stairs cast shadows on the stairs that resemble a
snake slithering down the pyramid (Kukulkan is a snake deity). making it the largest of all of the ball courts discovered to date
July 2023 PGA C.A.N.!, Page 11
The remains of a chac mool outside El
Castillo A stone ring on the Great Ball Court
in Mesoamerica.
structure. Many years ago I was able to climb this interior Located on the The Temple of Kukulkan (El Castillo)
pyramid and view the throne, which was studded with longer sides of the
court, which stand 40 feet high, are stone rings that project from
climbing both the interior and exterior is now prohibited. the wall with a hole in the center, which is the goal. Surrounding
The second most impressive structure in the Great North the ball court are numerous temples, which include the Temple
Platform is the Great Ball Court. It measures 545 by 225 feet, of the Bearded Man, the North and South Temples, and the
Upper and Lower Temples of the Jaguar.
Cenote is the name given to the sinkholes that collect water
on the Yucatán. The Sacred Cenote (or Cenote Sagrado) is a
very special place in Chichén Itzá. It is the place of pilgrimage
for ancient Mayan people, who conducted sacrifices and made
offerings to their gods during times of drought. The Cenote
Sagrado is 200 feet in diameter and has sheer walls that drop
to the water table 80 feet below. Archeological investigations
at the bottom of this water hole have revealed gold, jade and
obsidian, as well as skeletons of children and men.
The Ossario Group has the second largest cenote in the
city. It is called Xtoloc, which is the Mayan word for iguana.
The Temple of Xtoloc, the House of the Metates and House of
the Mestizas are also located in the city division. The houses
are believed by archeologists to have been the residences of
important personages.
El Caracol is built on a platform and is a round structure,
with a dome-shaped roof, unlike any other at Chichén Itzá.
Located within the Central Group, it has doors and windows
Chichén Itzá: on page 12
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