Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is an ancient city built by the Maya people in Mexico. It was a powerful center of culture, religion, and science more than 1,000 years ago. Today, it is one of the most visited places in the world and a symbol of the Maya’s smart and artistic way of life.

The most famous building in Chichen Itza is El Castillo, also called the Temple of Kukulcán. It is a giant pyramid with four sides. Each side has 91 steps, and when you add the top step, it equals 365—just like the number of days in a year! This shows how much the Maya knew about math, science, and the solar calendar.

El Castillo was built between the 800s and 1100s using large limestone blocks. Workers didn’t have metal tools or wheels. They used simple stone tools and worked together in teams to move and shape the heavy stones. The pyramid was built so carefully that twice a year, during the spring and fall equinox, the sun makes a shadow that looks like a snake slithering down the steps. This shadow represents the feathered serpent god, Kukulcán.

The city also has a giant ball court, where teams played a special game using a rubber ball. The walls of the court are 27 feet tall, and sounds can echo loudly across the space. Scientists think the Maya designed the court this way on purpose to impress visitors and connect the game with their beliefs.

Artistically, Chichen Itza is full of carvings, statues, and decorations that show gods, animals, and stories. Many of the buildings have patterns and symbols that meant something special to the Maya people. These artworks were also painted in bright colors long ago.

Today, Chichen Itza helps people learn about Maya history and the amazing things they built. It is both a scientific and artistic wonder!

Sources:

National Geographic Kids. “Chichen Itza.” https://kids.nationalgeographic.com
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. “Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza.” https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/483
Smithsonian Magazine. “Secrets of Chichen Itza.” https://www.smithsonianmag.com

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