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.
It was from 300 to 900 AD that the ancient civilization prospered and in the time of its peak, more than 40 cities comprised it that has reached countries such as Honduras, Belize, Mexico and Guatemala.
The ancient ruins left by the Mayans were mainly discovered in Tabasco, Chiapas and the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. There are lots of ancient sites that have been discovered and also excavated in Mexico and there were several which have overgrown and yet to be uncovered.
The Majestic Mayan Temples In Chichen Itza
One of the most well known Mayan sites is the Chichen Itza. The various most visited ancient temples here are the Templo de los Guerreros or Temple of the Warriors, El Caracol, Ossario and El Castillo.
El Castillo is also called the Temple of Kulkucan. This temple has 365 steps that represent each day of the year. The top of the platform is the 365th step and there are 91 steps on each of the four sides.
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 pre-Columbian Maya structure which served as an observatory tower in Chichen Itza; this means snail or winding staircase.
The Ossario is another stepped pyramid structure in Chichen Itza which is a lot like the El Castillo but smaller in size. In the late part of the 1800's, this temple was excavated by Edward H. Thompson who named this structure as the Temple of the High Priest as he had discovered some skeletons along with precious artifacts such as jade beads.
The Ancient Mayan Temples In Palenque
Palenque is an important city in Mexico as it is a Mayan archaeological site. This area includes many of the most recognized ancient structures such as the Temple of the Inscriptions, The Palace, Observation Tower, Temple of the Cross, Temple of the Sun, Temple of The Skull, and Temple of the Count and Temple XIII.
The most prominent Mayan structure in Palenque is the Temple of the Inscription. It stands 66 feet from the ground. There are 5 entrance doors in the temple and on its roof is a roof comb. The four piers present in the center of the temple are thought to be the remnants of the stuck figures which could have ended up being there. Complete records of the life and death of the K'inich Kan B'alam who have ruled as king of the Palenque city for 68 years 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.
Tulum Ancient Mayan Temples
The Temple of the Descending God or the Templo Del Dios Descendente and the El Castillo Pyramid are the important temples of 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 small but significant structure in Tulum is known as the Temple of the Descending Gods. A bizarre stucco relief can be found on the western doorway of this temple; it appears to be an upside down winged creature, depicting a god diving from the sky. The age old structure was heavily designed with drawings of seashells, sun, snakes and rain.
Kabah Maya Structure
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.
It was from 300 to 900 AD that the ancient civilization prospered and in the time of its peak, more than 40 cities comprised it that has reached countries such as Honduras, Belize, Mexico and Guatemala.
The ancient ruins left by the Mayans were mainly discovered in Tabasco, Chiapas and the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. There are lots of ancient sites that have been discovered and also excavated in Mexico and there were several which have overgrown and yet to be uncovered.
The Majestic Mayan Temples In Chichen Itza
One of the most well known Mayan sites is the Chichen Itza. The various most visited ancient temples here are the Templo de los Guerreros or Temple of the Warriors, El Caracol, Ossario and El Castillo.
El Castillo is also called the Temple of Kulkucan. This temple has 365 steps that represent each day of the year. The top of the platform is the 365th step and there are 91 steps on each of the four sides.
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 pre-Columbian Maya structure which served as an observatory tower in Chichen Itza; this means snail or winding staircase.
The Ossario is another stepped pyramid structure in Chichen Itza which is a lot like the El Castillo but smaller in size. In the late part of the 1800's, this temple was excavated by Edward H. Thompson who named this structure as the Temple of the High Priest as he had discovered some skeletons along with precious artifacts such as jade beads.
The Ancient Mayan Temples In Palenque
Palenque is an important city in Mexico as it is a Mayan archaeological site. This area includes many of the most recognized ancient structures such as the Temple of the Inscriptions, The Palace, Observation Tower, Temple of the Cross, Temple of the Sun, Temple of The Skull, and Temple of the Count and Temple XIII.
The most prominent Mayan structure in Palenque is the Temple of the Inscription. It stands 66 feet from the ground. There are 5 entrance doors in the temple and on its roof is a roof comb. The four piers present in the center of the temple are thought to be the remnants of the stuck figures which could have ended up being there. Complete records of the life and death of the K'inich Kan B'alam who have ruled as king of the Palenque city for 68 years 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.
Tulum Ancient Mayan Temples
The Temple of the Descending God or the Templo Del Dios Descendente and the El Castillo Pyramid are the important temples of 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 small but significant structure in Tulum is known as the Temple of the Descending Gods. A bizarre stucco relief can be found on the western doorway of this temple; it appears to be an upside down winged creature, depicting a god diving from the sky. The age old structure was heavily designed with drawings of seashells, sun, snakes and rain.
Kabah Maya Structure
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.
About the Author:
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.
