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The entire Yucatan Peninsula used to be sprawling with Maya settlements. Over time, the jungle reclaimed its territory, but the hundreds of mounds dotting the Yucatan peninsula show what once was. Each of these mounds is the ruin of a Maya building, covered with earth and foliage over many centuries. Many of these sites still await excavation, but several have been uncovered and Chichen-Itza is among the most beautiful.

The ancient city covers a six square mile area on the peninsula, about 80 miles east of Merida. The first major buildings to be built at Chichen-Itza were begun in roughly 600 A.D. There are numerous well-restored and fascinating buildings on the site. Perhaps the most magnificent is El Castillo (the castle), otherwise known as the Pyramid of Kukulcan. The collosal pyramid is topped by a square temple, in which ritual sacrifices were made. Contrary to the popular belief that the Maya were a peaceful tribe, they were, in fact, very warlike and conducted many religious sacrifices. The pyramid also reflects the advanced skills the Maya had in astronomy. The total number of steps on the building is 365, and on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the sun casts a shadow on the pyramid which resembles a huge snake slithering down the front staircase. The Temple of the Warriors is another interesting building on the site.

The temple closely resembles the architectural styles of the Toltecs, but researchers are still debating whether the Maya copied to style from the Toltecs or the Toltecs copied the style from the Maya. The latter is more likely, as the Maya had been established and powerful for many centuries at the time of the Toltecs’ rise to power. The Maya were avid sports fans, judging from the 22 ball courts found on the site. The largest of these, known simply as the great ball court, is 270 feet long, has sloping walls, and two small temples, one at each end.

It was not uncommon to offer a human sacrifice to the gods before a game. The sport was very serious to the Maya. Often, the captain of one team was sacrificed at the end of the match, but curiously, due to the honor the Maya gave those who were sacrificed, historians are unable to determine whether the winner or loser was sacrificed. Regardless, the great ball court is a fascinating location on the site. Carved in relief on one wall is the image of a player being decapitated. Another interesting aspect of the court is the temple at the north end, known as the Temple of the Bearded Man.

The acoustics of this temple, whether done on purpose or by accident, allow a person talking in a normal speaking voice to be heard far down the court. There are several theories as to why this might be. It could have served as a “dugout” of sorts for a team coach to send commands to his players, or it could have served as a “press booth” from which a spectator could report the events to the common masses outside, who were not allowed to watch the game. These are just a few of many wonders Chichen-Itza has to offer. Should you visit, one full day can provide you with an overview, but to truly see the ancient city, plan a two-day excursion.

Pronounced “oosh-mawl,” Uxmal was one of the greatest Maya cities. The city was built sometime during the 5th or 6th centuries A.D., but archaeological evidence suggests that the area had been inhabited as a farming center since as far back as 800 B.C. The city shows no architectural styles other than the purely Maya “Puuc” style. This is odd considering the widespread influence of other cultures in the region. The grandest structure of the site is the Pyramid of the Magician. Though not a true pyramid (it is elliptical, not square), the pyramid is a marvel, standing 38 meters tall with a staircase at a 60 degree angle, the pyramid is tall and steep. The view from the top, if you can handle the climb, is marvelous.

To the west, you’ll see the Nunnery Quadrangle. Named by the Spanish historian Fray Diego Lopez de Cogullado because it resembled a European monastery, the Nunnery is thought to have been an academy of some sort, either for the military or the children of the elite classes. Southwest of the pyramid, you will see the Governor’s Palace, the largest and fanciest structure on the premises. The intricate stonework and the 320 foot long mosaic facade of the palace make the building the gem of Uxmal.

The Governor’s palace is offset from the main grid that the rest of the city lies on. This reflects the astronomical skills of the Maya,as the Palace’s main door was placed in perfect alignment with Venus. Another large structure on the site is the Great Pyramid. At 30 meters tall, this nine-level pyramid is a dominant structure of Uxmal. It is decorated with ornate carvings of masks, birds, and flowers. Like many of the other ruins in Mexico, Uxmal has a restored ball court. However, the court is much simpler than other courts in other ancient cities. Also of note is the huge cisterns which supplied the city with water. Uxmal was built in an arid portion of the Yucatan peninsula, far away from any springs, rivers, or wells. To collect precious water, the city built huge cisterns to capture rain. Consequently, the rain god, Chaac, was the most worshipped deity in Uxmal. Other archaeological sites unearthed near Uxmal are Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, and Labna, all of which were under the territorial influence of Uxmal.

The largest of several coastal forts. Situated on the coast some 80 miles south of Cancun, the city was so magnificent that the first Spaniards to see it claimed it to be grander than Seville. The architecture of Tulum is more utilitarian and less fancy than at sites such as Uxmal and Chichen-Itza. The fort was built as a functional city without as much emphasis on arts. The city was mainly decorated with plaster sculptures and painted frescoes. The true beauty of Tulum is in its location. Situated above pristine white beaches and overlooking the ocean, the city’s main structure, the “Castle,” is an impressive building structurally if not artistically. The solid construction and sturdy walls of this combination temple/fortress surely must have been an awe-inspiring sight to the conquistadors. Directly in front of the Castle, you’ll find the Temple of the Frescoes. The temple contains authentic wall frescoes that somehow managed to survive the ravages of time.

Unfortunately, visitors to the sight are not allowed to climb the ruins anymore due to the large amount of tourists the site attracts each year. However, to gaze out over the ocean from such an ancient and majestic city is a memory you won’t soon forget.

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