CHICHEN ITZA

Yucatán, Mexico c.5th century – 15th century

Chichen Itza – which translates to

‘at the mouth of the well of the Itza’

– is the remarkable ancient city that was once the political, social, commercial and economic centre of the Maya civilisation. Although archaeologists are uncertain about when Chichen Itza was first established, it is often cited as between the 5th and 6th centuries. However, we do know that the city had become a major capital within the Yucatán peninsula by the 10th century, at the end of the Classic period.

At its height, Chichen Itza was home to tens of thousands of people, with a diverse population of Maya from across the peninsula and beyond. The Toltec civilisation appears to have also influenced construction in the city from the end of the 10th century, but the reason why is still debated – they either invaded Chichen Itza or a cultural exchange occurred through trade.

Regardless, this led to a fusion of different architectural styles at Chichen Itza. These can be see within the many complexes at the site, such as The Great North Platform (including the Temple of Kukulcan and

Temple of the Warriors), The Osario Group in the middle (including the Ossuary) and

The Central Group in the south (including El Caracol and Las Monjas).

Chichen Itza declined by the mid-13th century as the city of Mayapan rose in prominence to become the new urban hub, and it was abandoned during the 15th century. The ruins of the city were rediscovered and excavated in the 19th century and it has remained an active archaeological site ever since. A popular tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, the ruins are commonly associated with the Temple of Kukulcan, the tallest building in the city and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.