Archaelogical Sites on the Yucatan Peninsula

CHICHEN ITZA

Recently named one of the 7 wonders of the world, the sacred city of the Itza, called Chichen-Itza (chee-chehn eet-sah in Maya), is located 75 miles east of Merida, the journey takes around 2 hours via the new highway. This archaeological site is rated among the most important of the Maya culture and covers an area of approximately six square miles where hundreds of buildings once stood. Now most are mounds, but about thirty may still be seen by tourists.

Chichen Itza, was, in its time of grandeur (between 800 and 1200 A.D.), the centre of political, religious and military power in Yucatan, if not all of South-eastern Meso America. In its architecture one can observe a gradual change in style, starting with the Puuc style, also shared with Uxmal and other sites in the Penninsula and culminating with the so-called Mayan Toltec style, due to the architectural similiarities with Tula, capital of the Ancient Toltecs, and with other sites in Central Mexico, such as Oaxaca and the Gulf Coast.

Chichen Itza was a large city with a great many inhabitants, distributed around the architectural nucleii which we observe as ruins, who had a relatively easy access to the water coming from the various caves and Cenotes of the region. Chichen Itza was abandoned suddenly around 1400 A.D. perhaps because of internal fighting or for lack of food. There are many theories but nobody knows for certain.

DZIBILCHALTUN

Dzibilchaltun (tzee-BEEL-chahl-toon) is the "place where there is writing on the stones," a great Mayan city that is only nine miles from Merida. Here you will find the Museum of the Maya People, one of the best and most comprehensive museums in the Yucatan.

Dzibilchatun covers more than 18 square miles and includes remains of more than 21,000 ancient temples and dwelling sites. Dzibilchaltun is known for having the longest history of unbroken occupation of any Mayan site, from over 2,000 years ago to shortly before the Spanish Conquest of the Yucatan. It is believed that up to 20,000 people lived here around the year 800 AD. This archeological site doesn't have the giant pyramids of the better known sites of Chichen Itza and Uxmal, but is does have its own special claims to fame. These include the placement of monuments that take advantage of the equinoxes and solstices, the beautiful "museum of the village" Museo del Pueblo, the refreshing cenote where you can take a swim and the Franciscan chapel building at the entrance that blends in with the ruins.

UXMAL

Uxmal is one of the most well known of the Maya cities, and rated by many archaeologists as the finest. The site is about 70 miles (110 km) from Merida and it should take about an hour by car. From Merida, follow Hwy 261 in the direction of Campeche. The entrance is very well signed from the highway.

Uxmal (pronounced "Oosh-mall") in the original Mayan language means "Three times" and is supposed to refer to the number of times the city has been rebuilt or expanded with major constructions. The name is sometimes meant to be interpreted as "Thrice Built". In area the site is fairly compact, though you should allow at least half a day for a first visit, after which you'll probably want to return to go over the site in more detail. There has been much renovation work and the grounds are well tended, but wear good shoes if you intend to do any climbing. It is permitted to climb the largest structure, the Pyramid of the Magician, and the view from the top is well worth the effort, though the steps are extremely steep.

This region was settled late in the Mayan chronology, likely due to the lack of surface water or cenotes that appear in other cities like Chichen Itza. Uxmal, and other cities in the Puuk region, show the typical architectural hallmark of this region. Relatively simple base structures with elaborately laid stone mosaics in the upper friezes, revealing very detailed designs and patterns. The sun casts a myriad of shadows on the existing designs intending to transform the building into a mystical stone passageway where gods, ancestors, kings and supernatural beings of all sorts lived. The designs also indicated the religious and political significance of each building to those that may travel from afar to view them.