home Spinning Mexican pyramids on the map. Mayan pyramids - where are the most famous and mysterious? Where are the Mayan pyramids located?

Mexican pyramids on the map. Mayan pyramids - where are the most famous and mysterious? Where are the Mayan pyramids located?

Approximately 120 kilometers southeast of the city of Merida there are ruins ancient city Chichen Itza. This is the most famous archaeological site of the Mayan period and the state of Yucatan

We continue the series of stories about the pyramids of the world from LifeGlobe. Last time we talked about the underwater pyramids of the island of Yonaguni, now we came through a story about the great city of the Mayans, their culture and buildings.

Contrary to popular belief, the Mayans were not an empire - they were a group of autonomous cities, often interacting with other states in the region. Chichen Itza and many other important Mayan cities were built in accordance with the sacred beliefs of the Indians - the cities were built to reflect the position of various astronomical objects in the night sky

So, who built this ancient city and its pyramids? The Mayans were an ancient civilization of southern Mexico and other South American countries - Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and El Salvador. Nowadays, about 6 million descendants of the Mayans live here, speaking many different dialects

The Mayan people were very knowledgeable about astronomy, and during the first millennium AD, they studied and mapped in detail the movement patterns of the sun, moon, and other planets and stars. Their religion and mythology were based on this, explaining the past, present and future. The Mayans also invented a brilliant mathematical system, a writing system, and a combination of three accurate interconnected calendars.

In addition to the city of Chichen Itza, the Mayans are also famous for a number of other temple cities, such as Palenque, Uxmal, Copan, etc. Many of these cities have been restored by archaeologists, while some remain underground and await their turn. It is also worth noting that the Mayans were able to navigate long distances across the ocean by developing a sophisticated method of navigating by the stars

Let us turn specifically to the history of the construction of the city of Chichen Itza. Proto-Mayan tribes inhabited the flat plateau of the Yucatan Peninsula for 8,000 years. Archaeologists believe that this place has been an important pilgrimage site for thousands of years.

Chichen Itza became the capital and social center of the Maya in the eighth century. First, the coastal territories of Yucatan were settled, then settlements spread throughout the entire peninsula. Thanks to two great sources clean water, not drying out throughout the year, Chichen Itza became the most powerful Mayan city

In the 10th century, the city was captured by the Toltecs, making Chichen Itza the capital of the Toltec state, but was later recaptured by the united army of three Mayan cities. After the 12th century, Yucatan was mysteriously deserted as the Spanish conquerors destroyed Mayan manuscripts and priests. By the time of the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, Chichen Itza was a complete ruin

As a result of excavations in the city, many architectural monuments were discovered, in particular, famous pyramids Chichen Itza. The most prominent among them is the Temple of Kukulkan - a pyramid of 9 steps 24 meters high. It is amazing that on the days of the autumn and spring equinoxes, the rays of the sun illuminate the stairs of the pyramid in such a way that they form an image of seven isosceles triangles, which, in turn, make up the body of a 37-meter snake, crawling as the sun moves to its head, carved in stone at the base stairs

The Temple of the Warriors of Chichen Itza is located on a small pyramid of 4 steps, adjacent to it is the Temple of the Jaguars and the Mayan observatory called Caracol. Surprisingly, the Mayans played football. Naturally, not in the form in which it is customary to play this game now, but nevertheless, during the excavations, 7 large fields for playing ball were discovered. The length of the largest field was 135 meters

It was also possible to preserve statues of gods, with very interesting detail and execution style, as well as many handicraft items and various utensils. A sacred well 50 meters deep, probably used for sacrifices, has also been preserved.

In our time, the Mexican government bought a plot of land of 83 hectares on which the city of Chichen Itza is located, with the aim of preserving it. This is one of the main attractions of Mexico, recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. In 2007, the city was recognized as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

The Aztecs also had similar cities in Mexico, for example the city of Teotihuacan, which looks no less majestic.

The Mayans were an ancient civilization that lived in southern Mexico and parts of Central America for 3,000 years. During their existence, these people created cities in which the famous temples were located - the Mayan pyramids.

The ancient Mayan civilization is one of the world's oldest cultures. According to history scientists, its history goes back at least 3,000 years. The Mayan ancestor tribes very quickly formed into a real civilization, which began to dominate the continent 500 years after its inception. The Mayans established many trade routes and founded several major cities with a total population of more than 200,000 people.

Mayan civilization

The history of the Mayan people dates back to around 2000 BC. e. At this time, ancient people were actively settling in areas of Central America. The result of this migration was the emergence of a number of tribes and nationalities - both original and related to each other.

The Mayan civilization lasted about 2000 years
at its peak

One of the ethnic groups that emerged during this period was the Maya. Already at the beginning of their development, its representatives began to found cities, build temples, engage in exchange and trade, and develop hunting and agriculture.

In 500 BC. e. on the Gulf Coast the first Mayan temples begin to appear, around which they begin to build big cities. One of them is El Mirador - the city where the largest known Mayan pyramid is located - La Danta, 72 meters high.

Religious ceremonies, rituals and sacrificial ceremonies of the ancient Mayans were carried out in special buildings - temples and pyramids. They also housed Mayan burials. Ritual ceremonies and funerals of rulers took place with the participation of huge masses of people, leaving behind almost eternal monuments - pyramids.

Mayan pyramids

The ancient Mayan pyramids are quite complex architectural structures. They mainly consist of large platforms forming huge steps. Almost all Mayan temples were built so long ago that they are currently underground. But not all monuments ancient civilization I was waiting for this to be taken into account: many Mayan pyramids in Mexico have almost completely preserved their original appearance and continue to attract scientists and tourists from all over the world.

Appearance

What did the Mayan pyramids look like? If the pyramids of Egypt were mostly similar to each other, the same cannot be said about the Mayan pyramids. Thus, the Temple of Stone Altars in Altun-ha is a whole complex of several platforms, pillars, various steps and stairs. In contrast, La Dante from El Mirador consists of large platforms, and in the middle there is a staircase leading up.

The Temple of the Stone Altars is different
from the pyramid of La Dante from El Mirador

But, of course, the Mayan pyramids also have common features:

Mayan pyramids are located in the centers of ancient cities;
not a single pyramid has a “smooth” side without steps;
on each of the Mayan pyramids there are buildings, temples used for sacrifice;
The “body” of pyramids in most cases consists of stones, gravel and clay.

Construction Features

Scientists have studied Mayan structures for many years and discovered that there are no large blocks in the design of the pyramids. In addition, as already mentioned, clay and other materials that are easily exposed to the environment were widely used.

This choice of materials was probably due to the fact that the Maya lacked reliable tools and technology for processing hard rocks. This seriously affected the longevity of the Mayan pyramids, which were much worse preserved than their Egyptian counterparts.

The Mayan pyramids really consist
from small blocks of sandstone

The sandstone from which the ancient Mayan pyramids are made is rather poorly processed. But these roughly hewn stones are held together with an unusually dense mortar, the composition reminiscent of concrete. This solution included lime, for which the Mayans cut down and burned vast forest areas. It is believed that the Mayan pyramids have survived to this day largely thanks to this cementing solution.

Applications of the Mayan pyramids

According to one version of scientists, the purpose of building the pyramids was to create a burial place for the Mayan rulers. The tomb, located deep underground, hid the body of the king, decorations and slaves sacrificed with him. In addition, the pyramids were also temples for sacrifices. Thus, the grave of the Mayan king turned into a sacred place for his former subjects.

There is also a theory that the Mayan pyramids were used as musical instruments. Many pyramids are built in such a way that the echo of footsteps at the top of the pyramid resembles the sound of falling drops. These peculiar sounds are called “rain music”.

Another use of pyramids is ritual ceremonies and burials. Most rituals and traditions were carried out at the base of the pyramids or in the temples located on them. Most Mayan rituals involved blood.

Blood has always been of great importance to the ancient Central American tribes, and the Mayans were no exception. The ritual of bloodletting was very common. This is evidenced by clay vessels and ritual instruments found during excavations.

The Mayans also had widespread sacrifices. Not only were sacrifices made simple people or slaves, but also representatives of the highest strata of civilization, as well as captured warriors of other tribes.

The burials of rulers played an important role for the Maya. As an example, let us take the burial of the ruler Pascal in a pyramid called the Temple of the Inscriptions.

An incredible amount of jewelry was found on the ruler; he was dressed in the most beautiful clothes. Near the stone sarcophagus, decorated with portraits of his ancestors, there were clay vessels with water and dishes with food. The Mayans believed that traveling to afterworld require a lot of strength, and the ruler needs to eat during this journey. And rich jewelry and clothing indicated that this spirit belonged not to an ordinary person, but to a leader or ruler.

Secrets of the Mayan pyramids

Some Mayan pyramids have their own secrets and mysteries. For example, the Kukulkan pyramid. In the evening, huge crowds of people gather around it to watch the wonderful spectacle. At five o'clock, at sunset, a pattern of sun rays begins to appear on the steps of the Kukulkan pyramid. Every minute it becomes more and more distinct. The design resembles a long snake slithering from the top of the pyramid down the stairs. The spectacle lasts about three hours.

The pyramids of the ancient Mayans fascinate with their age
and the secrets hidden in them

Similar phenomena can be observed in almost every pyramid. The Mayan pyramids in Mexico are especially “rich” in them, being one of the main attractions that attracts millions of tourists from all over the world to the country.

The legacy and significance of the pyramids in world culture

The Mayan pyramids remain one of the oldest monumental monuments on our planet. For three millennia, they have preserved the history and culture of one of the most original world civilizations. Mayan burials are not only educational, but also scientific: along with numerous tourists, archaeologists, historians and numerous researchers work at the sites of ancient Mayan buildings.

Currently, many, but not all, of the mysteries and secrets of the Mayan pyramids have been discovered: scientists still have not come to a consensus on many issues: who built the pyramids, what technologies were used in their construction, for what and by whom they were used. The megalithic structures of the ancient Mayans are reluctant to reveal their secrets, but there is hope that over time we will learn much more about them.

You can find a company that produces tombstones in your area in the Making of monuments section of our ritual directory

We are convinced that there are three main symbols of their country: the sombrero, amazing beaches and, of course, the famous Mayan pyramids. It’s not for nothing that the pyramids have been so carefully guarded and preserved for so many years. In the Middle Ages, they were even hidden from view so that invaders would not demolish the structures and steal the treasures stored inside. The Mayan civilization is original and mysterious; the history of the Mayans is full of unsolvable mysteries. Thousands of tourists travel to the impenetrable cities every year to see mysterious abandoned cities.

True, there is little left of the ancient cities themselves, but the pyramids built a little later are surprisingly well preserved.

One of the most popular ancient cities, Chichen Itza or the city of the Water Sorcerers, is well preserved. It is located on the Yuca-Tan Peninsula, 205 km from the city of Cancun, and occupies about 3,000 hectares.

The city was founded around 500 BC and existed until around 1300.

The ancient settlement was intended primarily for sacrifice ceremonies, including human ones. Some scientists, in addition, believe that from the top of these amazing structures it was convenient for Indian priests to observe the Sun and other celestial bodies.

Chichen Itza consists of two parts - old and new. The most popular buildings are, first of all, the Caracol Observatory (rising 13 meters above the ground, measuring 67 by 52 meters, inside there is a spiral-shaped structure that is raised to the ceiling), the palace of the nuns (about 10 meters high with a facade facing north ), but the main attraction is the 25-meter pyramid (or palace) of Kukulcan.

(El Castillo) consists of 9 platforms. It is surrounded along the entire perimeter by stairs. There are a total of 91 steps on each side - a total of 364, their number equal to the number of days in a year. The wide, steep staircases are divided into 18 flights, each of which corresponds to a month of the year - there were exactly 18 months in the Mayan calendar. Now the stairs are not in very good condition, and climbing them is quite dangerous.

The pyramid is located very accurately: 4 sides face strictly south, north, west and east. On the sides of the pyramid there are 9 terraces, one for each region of the kingdom of the dead. This is how the Mayans imagined the afterlife - the place where they went after death. On the northern side of the pyramid, at the very base of the stairs, there are two snake heads, and there are two more columns in the form of huge reptiles. There is a reason for the snakes here: the pyramid was built in honor of the Mayan deity Kulkan or the feathered serpent.

There is another pyramid in the city, which is the basis of the temple of warriors. It consists of 4 levels, and the base measures 40 by 40 meters. Not far from this pyramid there is a unique natural well. Almost round, it reaches 60 meters in diameter and 20 in depth. The well was revered by the Mayans as a sacred place. Mayan priests threw victims into its blue-green waters to appease the gods. Therefore, it was called the Well of Death.

The second most popular Mayan pyramid is located in. Its peculiarity is that it is all painted with a huge number of hieroglyphs and mysterious drawings. It took scientists more than two hundred years to decipher it, although the letters have still not been solved. Some see them as a description of historical and political events in the city, but others interpret them as dire predictions. For example, one of the hieroglyphs means: “And there will be piles of skulls and blood” - according to the first, we are talking about a long war in which the Mayans were involved; according to others, this is nothing more than a warning about the coming Armageddon.

- ancient Mayan city, which is also called the capital of ancient culture, this is where this Pyramid of Inscriptions is located. This is the only Mayan pyramid on the top of which something like a sarcophagus was found, and in it were the remains of a man, apparently of noble origin. Before this, it was believed that the pyramids were used by the Mayans exclusively for sacrifices. In 1949, restorers discovered a secret hatch in the floor through which it was possible to penetrate deep into the pyramid. Found below burial chamber, where the remains of people who were once sacrificed were located, as well as a stone sarcophagus covered with a five-ton lid. Erich von Däniken, who devoted his life to searching for traces of ancient contacts between people and extraterrestrials, believes that the ancient Indians depicted on it no more or less - a man piloting a spaceship.

On the Yucatan Peninsula, the remains of the city of Uxmal are preserved. The heyday of this settlement was approximately 600 - 100 AD. Around 1400 it was abandoned by its inhabitants and abandoned. Uxmal is famous for its two pyramid temples. The most famous - Wizard's Pyramid. The second pyramid of this city, in fact, consists of two, which are combined with each other.

Unfortunately, the exact dates of construction of the pyramids are not known. It is generally believed that they are approximately 3,000 years old. The pyramids took a long time to build. All of them have stepped slopes. They were built one by one, and gradually the pyramids grew. For example, in Chichen Itza the pyramid was completed every 52 years: the Indians believed that it was after such a period of time that the world was completely renewed. Perhaps this pyramid was finally completed not by the Mayan tribes, but by the Toltecs - the formidable conquerors who conquered the city of Chichen Itza.

All pyramids consist of stones, rather roughly hewn. They are fastened together with a very dense mortar (it’s not just that they stood for thousands of years).

Ancient legends are associated with the construction of the pyramids. Thus, the pyramid in Uxmal, according to one of these legends, was erected in one night with the help of magical powers by a dwarf sorcerer, who after that also appointed himself ruler of the city. For this, the building received the name Pyramid of the Wizard.

It is, of course, not very believable that magical dwarfs were involved in the construction. Although the accuracy and strength of the pyramids causes bewilderment and admiration. The ancient builders of Chichen Itza carefully checked the location of each building in the city, achieving a special acoustic effect that amplified even the quietest sounds. Tour guides, standing at the Kukulkan pyramid, are happy to demonstrate to amazed tourists how the sound of clapping hands causes a multiply amplified echo at its top.

The pyramids are incredibly attractive to many, perhaps because much of Mayan history and culture is completely unknown. Each building has its own secrets. For example, at the Kukulkan pyramid, an unusual phenomenon can be observed twice a year, on the days of the spring and autumn equinoxes. Thousands of people gather in anticipation of an amazing spectacle. At exactly 17:00, a pattern of sun rays begins to appear on the balustrades of the pyramid. As the sun goes lower, the picture becomes more clear: a huge snake appears, which stretches down along the entire staircase. The illusion lasts for 3 hours.

Superstitious people say that it is the deity himself who gives the sign, and scientists admire the level of development of geodesy and astronomy of the ancient Mayans. Only a civilization with highly qualified topographers and astronomers could achieve such incredible precision to obtain from the play of light and shadow a unique image in a given place in this moment! But the Mayans lived several thousand years ago, when they had, by modern standards, primitive inventions and superficial knowledge, closely intertwined with religious ones. Highly developed civilization, alien intervention or divine message? Now unravel everyone Mystery Mayans impossible, we can only speculate and be delighted with every miracle created by this unique people.

The most famous civilizations of ancient America, which every educated person has heard of, are the Mayans, Incas and Aztecs. These peoples inhabited the territories of central Mexico (Aztecs), southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, western Honduras (Mayans) and western southern (Inca). The grandiose architectural structures of these ancient civilizations have survived to this day. The most famous of them are the pyramids of the American Mayan and Aztec tribes. The Incas, according to scientists, did not build pyramids, although they were able to erect structures of quite impressive size (such as the Sacsayhuaman fortress).

The Mayan and Aztec peoples inhabited America in different time. The Mayan civilization flourished in the 7th - 8th centuries, and the Aztecs in the 14th - 15th centuries. But both of these peoples were distinguished by a high level of development. They were building big cities, they used writing, and shipping was developed. The calendars of those times surprise with their accuracy. Religion occupied a special place among the Mayan and Aztec peoples. It is not for nothing that the pyramids that they erected were used for various religious rites.

The exact age of the Mayan pyramids is unknown. These structures are made of rough-hewn stones, which are held together with a fairly strong mortar.

The slopes of the pyramids are steps, i.e. They were built in stages - on each platform the next, smaller one, was built. This process was quite lengthy.

One of the most famous pyramids is Kukulkan, named after the main god in the mythologies of the Mayan and Toltec tribes, who was depicted as a snake with a human head. It is located in the ancient city of Chichen Itza (Yucatan Peninsula). This structure is 25 meters high and has 9 platforms. The number 9 is not accidental; it symbolizes the regions of the kingdom of the dead. The pyramid is crowned by a temple. There are wide staircases on four sides, each of them has 91 steps, for a total of 364, which corresponds to the number of days in a year. The stairs themselves are divided into 18 flights - in the Mayan calendar there were exactly this number of months. The Pyramid of Kukulkan has four sides clearly facing south, north, west and east.

This particular pyramid is very popular among tourists. The thing is that twice a year a very unusual phenomenon can be observed on its surface. On the days of the equinox at 17:00, a huge image of a serpent begins to appear on the north side of the pyramid, becoming increasingly clear. This effect is achieved due to the sun's rays, and the illusion lasts about 3 hours.

Another pyramid was built in the city of Chichen Itza, the base of which measures 40 x 40 meters.

Another famous Mayan structure is . It is located in the ancient city of Palenque, Guatemala. The pyramid got its name because of the huge number of different designs and hieroglyphs. Scientists are still trying to unravel the meaning of these inscriptions. Only in this pyramid was a tomb with a sarcophagus discovered, the surface of which was also covered with drawings and inscriptions. Before this discovery, it was believed that the Mayans did not use pyramids for burials. The remains of a man were discovered in the sarcophagus, who, apparently, occupied a high position in society.

There is another ancient city on the Yucatan Peninsula - Uxmal. This is where the famous . This is one of the most impressive buildings that has been left to us as a legacy from the Mayan tribes. The 38 m tall pyramid has a flat top. Its corners are rounded. This structure was built over many years. Archaeological research has shown that construction lasted from the sixth to the tenth centuries. There are 5 temples inside the pyramid - according to the number of construction stages.

The most famous Aztec pyramids

Perhaps the most impressive building of the Aztecs is pyramid of the sun, located on the site of the ancient city of Teotihuacan, near modern Mexico City. It ranks third in the world among ancient structures, ahead only of the Pyramid of Cholula, from Toltec times, and the Pyramid of Cheops, which is located in Egypt, near Cairo.

The Pyramid of the Sun previously rose 71 m high (currently 64.5 m), and the perimeter of the base of this grandiose structure is 893 m. About 3 million tons of stones were required for its construction. 300 years after the pyramid was built, a temple was erected on its top, which was destroyed even before the discovery of the city of Teotihuacan by the Spanish conquerors. Currently, many tourists visit the Pyramid of the Sun. To get to the very top, you have to overcome a difficult climb of 248 steps, which are distinguished by their steepness. But despite all the difficulties, there are many who want to rise to the very top. After all, if you believe the legends, this is where the so-called “place of power” is located. Thanks to positive energy flows, a person can find harmony and peace of mind.

In the north of Teotihuacan is . This is smaller than the Pyramid of the Sun - its height is 42 m. This five-tier pyramid is located on a small hill. A fairly wide staircase leads to the top - it is a continuation of the path called the Road of the Dead. When conducting archaeological excavations Many remains and burials were discovered in the Pyramid of the Moon. Presumably, various rituals were performed on top of this structure.

Teotihuacan is home to the Citadel, a square that got its name thanks to the Spaniards. It is here that the Temple of the Feathered Serpent is located - a building built in the form of a pyramid. Its walls were decorated with stone ornaments that represented the heads of feathered snakes - from the western part they are well preserved to this day. The remains of animals that were sacrificed during rituals were discovered within the walls of this temple.

The pyramids of the American Mayan and Aztec tribes have not yet been fully studied. The mysteries associated with these structures will continue to attract scientists from all over the world for a long time.

Pyramids of the ancient Mayan and Aztec tribes- one of the most ancient and mysterious artifacts that have survived to this day. Every year they attract tourists to the Central Massage who want to touch the secrets of ancient civilizations. Moreover, there is really something to see here.

History and secrets of the Mayan pyramids

The history of the Mayan civilization dates back from 3 to 4 thousand years. The origin of the Mayan state is considered to be Yucatan Island, where El Salvador and Belize are now located. In addition, the tribes occupied the territory of the modern south, as well as Guatemala and Honduras. Mayan State
existed until the active arrival of the conquistadors to these lands in the 16th century.

Did you know? According to scientists, the Mayans adopted the art of building pyramids from the Omelk tribe. The first pyramids were small mounds, but soon they began to be built from processed limestone.

Most of all, scientists are tormented by the question of what devices were used to lift heavy stone blocks to the upper levels. No less interesting is how the blocks themselves were turned, since none of the tools known to mankind can achieve such a high level of processing of limestone rock. All this gives rise to versions about the alien origin of the Mayans or at least about the contacts of Mesoamerican tribes with extraterrestrial civilizations. Moreover, the drawings found in the pyramids depict creatures that are very reminiscent of aliens in spacesuits.
Based on deciphering of hieroglyphs and other historical sources, it was these creatures that were considered gods by the Mayan Indians and it was in their honor that the pyramids were built. But unlike Egyptian pyramids, which served as a burial place for the pharaohs; among the Mayans these were cult objects. At the top of the pyramid there was a temple for sacrifices and other sacred rituals.

However, there is another interesting version. When examining the Pyramid of the Sun - the largest of the pyramids of Teotihuacan - a 7-centimeter layer of mica was discovered between the two levels of the pyramids. Two mica slabs were also discovered under the stone slabs of one of the dilapidated buildings included in temple complex. In modern technology, this material is used as an electrical insulator, since it retains fast neutrons. Also, mica crystals can store and transmit huge amounts of information and energy. If we consider that the ancient pyramids were built in places of tectonic faults, which are a source of geomagnetic radiation, then perhaps mica was used to accumulate this energy.

The myths of the Indians of Central America say that the gods gave people thirteen sacred crystal skulls. By collecting them together, you can gain power over time and communicate with the gods. In 1927, British archaeologists led by Mitchell Hedges found an ancient Mayan city in the jungles of Mexico. The first thing that caught my eye: headless skeletons were sitting in the stands of the amphitheater for 1000 people. As a result of excavations, a skull made of polished quartz was found under the altar of the temple. The level of crystal processing was so high that it is inaccessible even to modern technologies. After archaeologists recovered this crystal skull, every night one of the expedition members was beheaded by someone and placed on the platform of the amphitheater. Perhaps the headless “spectators” discovered by archaeologists were also hunters for this artifact.

Over the course of the year, several more such skulls were found in different Mayan pyramids. According to one version, these skulls are part of a large technical installation. A person (most likely a priest) standing in its center and holding a crystal skull could communicate with the one in whose honor this pyramid was built. If this artifact is simply a cult object, then it would be more likely to be made of gold than of mica.

Another interesting detail: the underground corridors of the Sun Temple lead to a strange cave, made in the form of a four-leaf chamber. Fragments of mirrors and a powerful drainage cooling system were found in it, which may indicate the technical purpose of the Mayan pyramids.

Did you know? If you look at Teotihuacan from a bird's eye view, the arrangement of the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the temples around them resembles a computer motherboard.

Therefore, there is an assumption that the pyramids are the center of communication between the Mayan civilization and alien intelligence. Which gives additional arguments to supporters of the version of the alien origin of life on the planet.

Mayan pyramid at Chichen Itza

This city was founded by the Mayans in the 7th century AD. From the 10th to the mid-11th century Chichen Itza was captured by the Toltec tribe. The city was then reconquered by the Mayans, who lived here until the end of the 12th century. According to archaeologists, the city was subjected to numerous raids and plunders, which was the reason for the exodus from the city local residents. Unfortunately, the Spanish conquerors who came to these lands pursued a policy of destroying Mayan manuscripts and clergy who could decipher them, so it is currently impossible to obtain a more complete picture of the events taking place.

In Mexico, photos of Mayan pyramids can be found in any tourist city, since they are among perhaps the most famous attractions of the country. In the 20s of the 20th century, restoration work was carried out there, and today it is the most interesting Mayan city for tourists, attracting masses of tourists to this place.

The main attraction of the ancient city is undoubtedly Pyramid of Kukulkan.

Did you know? Kukulkan is an analogue of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl. Both deities were depicted as a “feathered serpent” and were revered by the inhabitants of Central American tribes.

The height of the temple is 24 meters, and with the temple on top - 30, the length of each of the four sides of the pyramid is 55 meters.
Each of the four sides, oriented strictly according to the cardinal points, has 91 steps, which in total is 365 and equal to the number of days in the solar year.
Each of the nine tiers of the pyramid is cut in two by a staircase, which corresponds to the number of months in the Mayan calendar - 18.
In addition, the Toltec calendar cycle is 52 years, which is reflected in 52 reliefs on the walls of the sanctuary.

The largest number of tourists is observed on the day of the spring and autumn equinox, when you can observe the “crawling serpent”. The shadow from the ribs of the pyramid falls on the balustrades, creating the impression that a snake is crawling: up in the spring, and down in the fall.

In the city itself there are still a lot of different buildings and attractions, the most interesting of which are:

"Temple of Warriors" And "Temple of the Jaguars", the walls of which are decorated with interesting paintings;
"Karakol"– observatory building;
7 stadiums, on which the Mayans played ball;
Sacred Cenote– 50-meter well for sacrifices.

Pyramids of the Mayan state in the city of Tikal

Tikal, located on the territory of modern Guatemala, I-IX centuries AD. e. was one of the centers of the Mayan state. It was rediscovered in 1848. On the territory of the city there are many interesting objects, including, in addition to the pyramids, an observatory, temple buildings, ball courts, etc. There are five pyramids in Tikal, the construction of which took place in the period 695-810:

Temple I. “Temple of the Great Jaguar” (height – 47 meters). Built in honor of the ruler of the Mutul kingdom, Khasav-Chan-Kavil I, and is the place of his burial. Attracts tourists with the elaborate wooden carvings in the sanctuary, as well as the hall of the ruler’s tomb;
Temple II.“Temple of Masks” (height – 38 meters). Built in honor of the wife of Hasav-Chan-Kavil I Ish-Lachan-Unen-Mo. This pyramid has been restored better than others, so tourists can admire numerous wall paintings;
Temple III.“Temple of the Jaguar Priest” (height - 55 meters). Currently closed to visitors, because... archaeological excavations are underway there;
Temple IV(height – 64.6 meters). The tallest pre-Columbian structure in the New World;
Temple V(height – 57 meters). Presumably this is the burial place of the eldest son of Hasav-Chan-Kavil I.

Other popular Mayan pyramids: where are they located?

Uxmal. Northwestern Yucatan in the state of the same name in Mexico. Located 70 kilometers south of the city of Merida;
El Mirador. Located in northern Guatemala, near the border with Mexico and close to Belize;
Kalamkul. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, 140 kilometers south of the Mexican city of Campeche;
Palenque. in the northeastern Mexican state of Chiapas. It is located 150 kilometers southeast of the city of Villahermosa.

History of the Mayan Empire - video

In this video you will see a description of where ancient secrets are hidden under the cover of the jungle legendary civilization Mayan. Until now, scientists do not know how it all began in the history of the great Mayan people. Who and how built ancient cities, temples, pyramids and tombs... To find out about this, you have to descend just a few meters deep into the earth.

You can learn more about the history of the Mayan civilization and other Mesoamerican tribes in historical and archaeological museums, where many ancient artifacts are kept. Well, don’t forget that, for example, Mexico, where there are many Mayan pyramids, attracts tourists from all over the world with its numerous beaches, nature reserves, clean fresh water bodies, original cultural traditions and, of course, local cuisine and first-class tequila. Therefore, having touched the antiquity and the secrets of the pyramids, you will have something to do on vacation.