Chichen Itza History

Chichen Itza, is considered as one of the most important archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula where the Temple of Kukulkan is located. Wonder of the modern world and considered a sacred site at the time of the conquest. Here is part of Chichen Itza History.

Where is Chichen Itza located?

Chichen Itza is located north of the Yucatan Peninsula, 122 miles from Cancun, 74 miles from the city of Merida and 1.8 miles from the Cenote IK KIL. At Chichen itza, you will find stone monuments created by two developed civilizations: Mayan and Tolteca.

When Was Chichen Itza Built?

It is estimated that it was built around the years 435 and 455. In the approximate year of 987 it became the most important political center in Yucatan, which it covered an area approximately of 11 mi².

Between the 5th and 10th centuries, it was already an important Mayan ceremonial center. The fusion of construction techniques makes it one of the most important examples of the Maya-Toltec civilization.

Upon the arrival of the first Spanish conquerors to Yucatan in 1527, Francisco de Montejo, was the first Spaniard who was admired for the architecture discovered in the middle of the jungle. At that time, pilgrims of the Mayan culture still came to this sacred place, they called it Chichen Itza. A Mayan expression that means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza”.

The place was very interesting for researchers and travelers in the 19th century, it became the archaeological zone with most studies and investigations in Yucatan.

For the boom of the 20th century, the site was documented in more detail and years later, large excavations and restorations were carried out by the Mexican government, as well as the Carnegie Institution of Washington.

In 1993 the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) began excavation work and reinforced the study of previously worked areas, which had been explored, but with little detail. Thanks to these studies, great advances were made about architecture, chronology and iconography of Chichen Itza.

On July 7, 2007, the Temple of Kukulcan, located in Chichen Itza, was voted in a global survey as one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

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