Chichén Itzá, an ancient Mayan city in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, contains dozens of stone structures that are both aesthetically pleasing and thoughtfully designed.
Posted on Suite 101 (defunct) on Jul 5, 2009
The Mayan architects and builders rival today’s best minds in the complexity of planning and execution of Chichén Itza’s massive stone structures. Even most 21st century architecture and engineering-school graduates would be hard-pressed to plan a pyramid that puts on its own show of shadows twice a year and echoes a hand clap with a bird’s call.
Temple of Kukulkan is a Castle For a God
The central figure in Chichén Itzá is the Temple of Kukulkan, named for the Mayan’s feathered-snake god. The pyramid is also known as El Castillo, which means, “the castle.” Within El Castillo is another pyramid, efficiently built over with the present, much larger structure.
Regarding El Castillo, the tallest structure in the complex, from the front, one sees a series of isosceles triangles running between the stepped levels on either side. Close observation reveals snakes’ heads at the bottom of each.
Because of the pyramid’s orientation to north and south, each spring and autumn at the equinox, the sun’s movement illuminates each triangle making the snake appear to travel toward the heavens or to the underworld. On these days, exactly half of the pyramid is cast in shadow and half enjoys full sun.
In addition to the intricate visual aspects of El Castillo, visitors can experience a curious auditory phenomenon said to be tied to the Mayan’s sacred bird, the almost-extinct Quetzal. Standing in front of the pyramid, a single, series, or group of hand claps evoke a distinct chirping sound, which tour guides say sounds just like the Quetzal.
Great Ball Court Shows Accoustical Acumen
The Great Ball Court is another impressive member of the complex. With spectators limited to the leaders of Chichen Itza and surrounding areas lining the length of a of a football field, words spoken in a normal voice at one end could be easily understood at the other. In addition, an echo phenomenon, similar to that found at El Castillo, occurs here. Here, a clap or a word echoes seven times, a number of significance for the Mayans.
Temple of the Warriors Sports a Thousand Pillars
A third significant structure at Chichén Itzá is the Temple of the Warriors. The Temple and its associated Hall of a Thousand Pillars is as sprawling as El Castillo is tall. Built for ceremony above and as a plaza and marketplace below, this complex reveals the limitations of the Mayan engineers.
Though massive and breathtaking, the Mayans had not yet figured out how to hold up a roof, even thatch-made, without a thousand pillars. It is noted, however, that as the structure sprawls, the distance between the columns grows wider, suggesting that building advances had been made over time, leading to, perhaps, a vaulted roof design.
The Mayans, though inhabitants of the first few centuries AD, built a large number of structures at Chichén Itzá in a few hundred years without aid of the wheel or modern tools and electricity. These structures are not just aesthetically pleasing and functional; they also contain auditory and visual curiosities that we still marvel at today.
