Mysteries of the Ancient Maya Ruins
The Maya were an advanced people for their time. While the Greeks and Romans of the old world were still struggling with basic concepts of mathematics, the Maya had developed a simple but effective mathematical system using only three symbols: a dot representing one, a bar representing 5 and a shell representing 0, a concept that would not reach Europe for centuries.
The Maya were also excellent astronomers. They studied the stars and the planets very carefully, and were able to calculate the orbits of planets such as Venus around the Sun within only a few hours, an amazing feat.
The Maya calendar is one of the most fascinating aspects of their culture. For reasons which are unsure to this day, the Maya calendar ends in the year 2012. The Maya separated the history of the world into ages, and the current age ends in this year. According to the Maya calendar this age began in either 3113 or 3114 BCE. Why this date was chosen, thousands of years after it had already passed, is also unknown.
The Lands of the Maya
The Maya settled in the areas of what is today Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and the southern parts of Mexico. During what is called the Classical Period of the Maya (200-900 CE) the southern areas of the Maya, centered in Guatemala, were the height of the Maya civilization. Tikal is one of the most famous of these ancient Maya cities.
This changed during the Postclassical Period (900-1517), in which the areas in the northern zone of the Yucatan Peninsula became more powerful. These also include many of the sites which are the most popular tourist sites today, such as Tulum, Xcaret and Chichen Itza.
Uxmal
In the language of the Maya, Uxmal means “thrice built.” Its name is indicative of the many changes which took place in the ruins of Uxmal over the course of its history.
Uxmal is one of the most varied of the Maya ruins. During its three major periods of construction buildings took on their own distinct shape and flavor, giving the city a fascinating and varied look.
Major monuments of Uxmal include the towering Pyramid of the Sorcerer, the House of the Old Woman, the Temple of the Phalli and the Temple of the Soothsayer.
One of the most beautiful of the monuments of Uxmal is the Palace of the Governor, composed of a central core building and two smaller buildings adjoining it on either side. Several beautiful archways grant entrance to the structure. Unlike Roman arches, these Maya arches are not rounded at the top but rather come almost to a triangle point. The Palace is completely decorated in frieze masks of the Maya rain god Chac.
Chichen Itza
During the Postclassic Period of the Maya, Chichen Itza was by far the dominant city of northern zone of the Maya, and dominated even over the southern Maya of Guatemala. It was also one of the largest Maya cities ever to be built, and is a popular tourist attraction today. In fact, the Mayaland Hotel rests at the edge of the ruins, and allows visitors to stay within the ancient city of Chichen Itza.
Chichen Itza resides beside the cenote Xtoloc, a sacred watering hole. Visitors to Chichen Itza can see this cenote today.
There are many major buildings in Chichen Itza. The great ball court is truly amazing, and takes up a significant part of the city. Ball courts exist at most of the ruins of the ancient Maya. The ball game was a central element of their culture. According to the recording of the sacred Maya tradition, Popol Vuh , the ball game existed even before the first coming of the Maya.
The ball court at Chichen Itza is particularly amazing. Two people, standing at either end of the ball court (which is well over 500 feet long), can speak in normal tones and be able to hear each other from the other side of the court. Maya architecture demonstrates an amazing acoustic ability, and this is one of their most notable achievements.
Another site at Chichen Itza which demonstrates the Maya ability for acoustics is the Temple of Kukulcan. (Kukulcan is the Maya name for the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl). If one claps their hands while standing in front of the temple, one will hear the sound of chirping birds echoing off the walls. These chirps sound like the song of the quetzal bird.
Other important monuments at Chichen include the Temple of the Warriors, which hosts hundreds of columns representing warriors, each warrior different from the next and the Temple of the Jaguars.
Tulum
Located to the south and east of Uxmal and Chichen Itza in the province of Quintana Roo, Tulum is most notable for its location. The site resides atop a cliff at the edge of the ocean, a magnificent picturesque view.
There are several important buildings at Tulum, the primary one of which is the Temple of the Descending God. There is also the Temple of the Frescoes, which include a number of different images from the mysterious ancient Maya.
Xel Ha and Xcaret
Maya cities from the end of the Maya era prior to the conquest, ruins from these two sites can still be seen today. However, the sites are part of eco-parks which are a popular draw for tourists, along with simply being archaeological attractions.
Visiting the Maya Ruins Today
The Maya remain a mysterious people. Enigmas like the Maya calendar and the amazing acoustic abilities displayed in their architecture continue to puzzle archaeologists. However, the ruins of this great civilization remain a popular attraction for visitors to the Yucatan peninsula.
If you are planning a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula, you owe it to yourself to visit at least one of these ancient Maya ruins. This list is by no means exhaustive, there are many more out there for your visiting pleasure. It is the experience of a lifetime, unlike any other that you will ever see anywhere else in the world.
