Before the arrival of the European conquerors, the Mayan civilization was discovered to be one of the most sophisticated cultures that ever existed in the Western Hemisphere.
It was from 300 to 900 AD that the ancient civilization prospered and in the time of its peak, more than 40 cities comprised it that has reached countries such as Honduras, Belize, Mexico and Guatemala.
It was in the Yucatan Peninsula, Chiapas and Tabasco that the Mayan ruins were discovered. There are actually numerous ancient sites which have been discovered as well as excavated in Mexico and there were a few which have overgrown and not yet been discovered.
The Amazing And Historic Mayan Temples Of Chichen Itza
Among the Mayan archaeological sites, Chichen Itza is the most well known. Several of the most visited ancient temples here include the Temple of the Warriors or Templo de los Guerreros, El Castillo, El Caracol and Ossario.
Also referred to as the Temple of Kulkucan, the El Castillo or the Castle has 365 steps. Each of the steps in this temple represents each day of the year. This structure has four sides having 91 steps each and the 365th step is the top platform.
Among the Chichen Itza structures, the Temple of the Warriors is the most striking. It is a late classic Maya structure that can accommodate a large gathering owing to its enormous size. There are four platforms in this structure having 200 square and round columns on its west and south sides.
El Caracol is a unique pre-Columbian Maya structure which served as an observatory tower in Chichen Itza; this means snail or winding staircase.
Another stepped pyramid structure of Chichen Itza is the Ossario which is a lot like the El Castillo however smaller in size. It was Edward H. Thompson who excavated this temple in the late part of the 1800's. He was also the one who named this structure the Temple of the High Priest because he has found some precious artifacts like jade beads and skeletons.
The Mayan Temples Of Palenque
One other important ancient city in Mexico is Palenque. This place boasts several of the most famous structures like the Palace, Temple of the Inscriptions, Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Cross, Observation Tower, Temple of the Skull, Temple XIII as well as Temple of the Count
Among the ancient Maya structure in Palenque, the Temple of the Inscription is the most well-known. It is 66 feet tall. The temple has 5 entrance doors and before there was a roof comb on its roof. The four piers located in the center of the temple are perceived as the remnants of the stuck figures which could have stood there. K'inich Kan B'alam was the great king who reigned in the city of Palenque for 68 years and his complete records of life and death were found in the Temple of the Cross.
The Temple of the Skull is likewise referred to as Temple XII which is situated right alongside Temple XIII. The two temples were constructed on top of a big platform and each structure has a stairway going to the top of the temples. Based on an archaeologist, the top structures were built on existing buildings.
Tulum Ancient Mayan Temples
The Pyramid El Castillo as well as the Temple Del Dios Descendente or also called the Temple of the Descending God are the significant temples found in Tulum.
The Pyramid El Castillo is the most prominent temple in Tulum. It has the shape of a pyramid and it sits at the edge of the cliffs overlooking the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Moreover, this temple served as a watchtower as well as lighthouse because there are two lanterns at the top, guiding the boats that go in and out of the port.
Tulum's small building is called the Temple of the Descending God yet it holds great significance. One can find a strange stucco relief on the western doorway of this temple; it is an upside down winged figure which represents the Mayan Diving God. The very old structure was greatly decorated with images of snakes, sun, rain and seashells.
Kabah Mayan Ruins
The Palace of the Masks or Codz Poop is the most well-known ancient Mayan structure in Kabah. This building is large and covered with masks of the Rain God, Chac.
It was from 300 to 900 AD that the ancient civilization prospered and in the time of its peak, more than 40 cities comprised it that has reached countries such as Honduras, Belize, Mexico and Guatemala.
It was in the Yucatan Peninsula, Chiapas and Tabasco that the Mayan ruins were discovered. There are actually numerous ancient sites which have been discovered as well as excavated in Mexico and there were a few which have overgrown and not yet been discovered.
The Amazing And Historic Mayan Temples Of Chichen Itza
Among the Mayan archaeological sites, Chichen Itza is the most well known. Several of the most visited ancient temples here include the Temple of the Warriors or Templo de los Guerreros, El Castillo, El Caracol and Ossario.
Also referred to as the Temple of Kulkucan, the El Castillo or the Castle has 365 steps. Each of the steps in this temple represents each day of the year. This structure has four sides having 91 steps each and the 365th step is the top platform.
Among the Chichen Itza structures, the Temple of the Warriors is the most striking. It is a late classic Maya structure that can accommodate a large gathering owing to its enormous size. There are four platforms in this structure having 200 square and round columns on its west and south sides.
El Caracol is a unique pre-Columbian Maya structure which served as an observatory tower in Chichen Itza; this means snail or winding staircase.
Another stepped pyramid structure of Chichen Itza is the Ossario which is a lot like the El Castillo however smaller in size. It was Edward H. Thompson who excavated this temple in the late part of the 1800's. He was also the one who named this structure the Temple of the High Priest because he has found some precious artifacts like jade beads and skeletons.
The Mayan Temples Of Palenque
One other important ancient city in Mexico is Palenque. This place boasts several of the most famous structures like the Palace, Temple of the Inscriptions, Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Cross, Observation Tower, Temple of the Skull, Temple XIII as well as Temple of the Count
Among the ancient Maya structure in Palenque, the Temple of the Inscription is the most well-known. It is 66 feet tall. The temple has 5 entrance doors and before there was a roof comb on its roof. The four piers located in the center of the temple are perceived as the remnants of the stuck figures which could have stood there. K'inich Kan B'alam was the great king who reigned in the city of Palenque for 68 years and his complete records of life and death were found in the Temple of the Cross.
The Temple of the Skull is likewise referred to as Temple XII which is situated right alongside Temple XIII. The two temples were constructed on top of a big platform and each structure has a stairway going to the top of the temples. Based on an archaeologist, the top structures were built on existing buildings.
Tulum Ancient Mayan Temples
The Pyramid El Castillo as well as the Temple Del Dios Descendente or also called the Temple of the Descending God are the significant temples found in Tulum.
The Pyramid El Castillo is the most prominent temple in Tulum. It has the shape of a pyramid and it sits at the edge of the cliffs overlooking the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Moreover, this temple served as a watchtower as well as lighthouse because there are two lanterns at the top, guiding the boats that go in and out of the port.
Tulum's small building is called the Temple of the Descending God yet it holds great significance. One can find a strange stucco relief on the western doorway of this temple; it is an upside down winged figure which represents the Mayan Diving God. The very old structure was greatly decorated with images of snakes, sun, rain and seashells.
Kabah Mayan Ruins
The Palace of the Masks or Codz Poop is the most well-known ancient Mayan structure in Kabah. This building is large and covered with masks of the Rain God, Chac.
About the Author:
Discovering the Mexico Mayan Temples provides a great experience and knowledge about the ancient Maya civilization that continues to entice, impress and influence people of the modern world. Keep reading interesting ancient Mayan ruins travel stories, visit One Jungle Adventure Travel Community.
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