The Maya civilization was discovered to be among the most sophisticated cultures that have existed in the Western Hemisphere before the arrival of the European conquerors.
The Maya civilization prospered from 300 to 900 AD and in the time of its peak, more than 40 cities comprised it which reached several countries such as Belize, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.
It was in the Yucatan Peninsula, Chiapas and Tabasco that the Mayan ruins were discovered. There are actually numerous ancient sites which have been discovered as well as excavated in Mexico and there were a few which have overgrown and not yet been discovered.
The Majestic Mayan Temples In Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is one of the most famous Mayan archeological sites. A few of the most visited ancient temples here are the El Caracol, El Castillo, Ossario and the Templo de los Guerreros or the Temple of the Warriors.
Also referred to as the Temple of Kulkucan, the El Castillo or the Castle has 365 steps. Each of the steps in this temple represents each day of the year. This structure has four sides having 91 steps each and the 365th step is the top platform.
One of the most imposing structures of Chichen Itza is the Temple of the Warriors. It is recognized as a late Maya structure which can accommodate a large number of people owing to its enormous size. In such structure, there are four platforms which have 200 square and round columns on its south and west sides.
El Caracol is a unique observatory tower in Chichen Itza which means 'snail' which represents the spiral staircase inside the building.
Another stepped pyramid structure of Chichen Itza is the Ossario which is a lot like the El Castillo however smaller in size. It was Edward H. Thompson who excavated this temple in the late part of the 1800's. He was also the one who named this structure the Temple of the High Priest because he has found some precious artifacts like jade beads and skeletons.
The Ancient Mayan Temples In Palenque
Palenque is one other very important ancient Mayan city found in Mexico. This area features many of the most well known structures such as the Palace, Temple of the Inscriptions, Temple of The Cross, Temple of the Sun, Observation Tower, Temple XIII, Temple of the Count and Temple of the Skull.
Among the ancient Maya structure in Palenque, the Temple of the Inscription is the most well-known. It is 66 feet tall. The temple has 5 entrance doors and before there was a roof comb on its roof. The four piers located in the center of the temple are perceived as the remnants of the stuck figures which could have stood there. K'inich Kan B'alam was the great king who reigned in the city of Palenque for 68 years and his complete records of life and death were found in the Temple of the Cross.
The Temple of the Skull is also called Temple XII and it is positioned right beside Temple XIII. Both the temples were created on the top of a huge platform and each building features a stairway going to the top of the temples. The top structures were built on existing buildings, according to an archaeologist.
The Mayan Temples In Tulum
The Pyramid El Castillo as well as the Temple Del Dios Descendente or also called the Temple of the Descending God are the significant temples found in Tulum.
Tulum's most dominating ancient temple is the Pyramid El Castillo which is ideally located at the edge of the cliffs offering a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea. There are 2 lanterns at the top of this temple, serving as a watchtower and lighthouse.
The Temple of the Descending God is a small structure in Tulum but holds great significance. There is an attention-grabbing, bizarre stucco relief found on the western doorway of this temple. The figure is an upside down winged God, representing the Mayan's diving god. The age old structure was greatly adorned with drawings of rain, sun, seashells and snakes.
Kabah Mayan Ruins
Kabah's most prominent ancient structure is the Palace of the Masks or Codz Poop, showing some Chene elements and covered with masks of Chac, the Maya Rain God.
The Maya civilization prospered from 300 to 900 AD and in the time of its peak, more than 40 cities comprised it which reached several countries such as Belize, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.
It was in the Yucatan Peninsula, Chiapas and Tabasco that the Mayan ruins were discovered. There are actually numerous ancient sites which have been discovered as well as excavated in Mexico and there were a few which have overgrown and not yet been discovered.
The Majestic Mayan Temples In Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is one of the most famous Mayan archeological sites. A few of the most visited ancient temples here are the El Caracol, El Castillo, Ossario and the Templo de los Guerreros or the Temple of the Warriors.
Also referred to as the Temple of Kulkucan, the El Castillo or the Castle has 365 steps. Each of the steps in this temple represents each day of the year. This structure has four sides having 91 steps each and the 365th step is the top platform.
One of the most imposing structures of Chichen Itza is the Temple of the Warriors. It is recognized as a late Maya structure which can accommodate a large number of people owing to its enormous size. In such structure, there are four platforms which have 200 square and round columns on its south and west sides.
El Caracol is a unique observatory tower in Chichen Itza which means 'snail' which represents the spiral staircase inside the building.
Another stepped pyramid structure of Chichen Itza is the Ossario which is a lot like the El Castillo however smaller in size. It was Edward H. Thompson who excavated this temple in the late part of the 1800's. He was also the one who named this structure the Temple of the High Priest because he has found some precious artifacts like jade beads and skeletons.
The Ancient Mayan Temples In Palenque
Palenque is one other very important ancient Mayan city found in Mexico. This area features many of the most well known structures such as the Palace, Temple of the Inscriptions, Temple of The Cross, Temple of the Sun, Observation Tower, Temple XIII, Temple of the Count and Temple of the Skull.
Among the ancient Maya structure in Palenque, the Temple of the Inscription is the most well-known. It is 66 feet tall. The temple has 5 entrance doors and before there was a roof comb on its roof. The four piers located in the center of the temple are perceived as the remnants of the stuck figures which could have stood there. K'inich Kan B'alam was the great king who reigned in the city of Palenque for 68 years and his complete records of life and death were found in the Temple of the Cross.
The Temple of the Skull is also called Temple XII and it is positioned right beside Temple XIII. Both the temples were created on the top of a huge platform and each building features a stairway going to the top of the temples. The top structures were built on existing buildings, according to an archaeologist.
The Mayan Temples In Tulum
The Pyramid El Castillo as well as the Temple Del Dios Descendente or also called the Temple of the Descending God are the significant temples found in Tulum.
Tulum's most dominating ancient temple is the Pyramid El Castillo which is ideally located at the edge of the cliffs offering a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea. There are 2 lanterns at the top of this temple, serving as a watchtower and lighthouse.
The Temple of the Descending God is a small structure in Tulum but holds great significance. There is an attention-grabbing, bizarre stucco relief found on the western doorway of this temple. The figure is an upside down winged God, representing the Mayan's diving god. The age old structure was greatly adorned with drawings of rain, sun, seashells and snakes.
Kabah Mayan Ruins
Kabah's most prominent ancient structure is the Palace of the Masks or Codz Poop, showing some Chene elements and covered with masks of Chac, the Maya Rain God.
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Visiting the Mexico Mayan Temples offers a great insight about the ancient civilization that some time ago existed and that continue to influence and amaze the modern world. Discover Mexico, read more stories about the interesting and mysterious Mayan ruins, visit One Jungle Adventure Travel Community.