Before the arrival of the European conquerors, the Mayan civilization was discovered to be one of the most sophisticated cultures that ever existed in the Western Hemisphere.
During the peak of the ancient Maya civilization from 300 to 900 AD it was composed of over 40 cities that have reached the borders of Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico.
The ancient ruins of the Mayans were mainly discovered in Tabasco, the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas Mexico. There are actually plenty of ancient sites that have been discovered and excavated in Mexico and there were several that 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.
The Temple of the Warriors is one of Chichen Itza's most imposing structures which is recognized as a late classic Maya structure. This structure is enormous and it can accommodate a large number of people, making it suitable for large gatherings. This structure has four platforms with round and square columns on its west and south sides.
El Caracol is a unique observatory tower in Chichen Itza which means 'snail' which represents the spiral staircase inside the building.
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 Mayan Ruins Of Palenque
One other important ancient city in Mexico is Palenque. This place boasts several of the most famous structures like the Palace, Temple of the Inscriptions, Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Cross, Observation Tower, Temple of the Skull, Temple XIII as well as Temple of the Count
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 likewise referred to as Temple XII which is situated right alongside Temple XIII. The two temples were constructed on top of a big platform and each structure has a stairway going to the top of the temples. Based on an archaeologist, the top structures were built on existing buildings.
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 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
The Palace of the Masks or Codz Poop is the most well-known ancient Mayan structure in Kabah. This building is large and covered with masks of the Rain God, Chac.
During the peak of the ancient Maya civilization from 300 to 900 AD it was composed of over 40 cities that have reached the borders of Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico.
The ancient ruins of the Mayans were mainly discovered in Tabasco, the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas Mexico. There are actually plenty of ancient sites that have been discovered and excavated in Mexico and there were several that 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.
The Temple of the Warriors is one of Chichen Itza's most imposing structures which is recognized as a late classic Maya structure. This structure is enormous and it can accommodate a large number of people, making it suitable for large gatherings. This structure has four platforms with round and square columns on its west and south sides.
El Caracol is a unique observatory tower in Chichen Itza which means 'snail' which represents the spiral staircase inside the building.
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 Mayan Ruins Of Palenque
One other important ancient city in Mexico is Palenque. This place boasts several of the most famous structures like the Palace, Temple of the Inscriptions, Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Cross, Observation Tower, Temple of the Skull, Temple XIII as well as Temple of the Count
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 likewise referred to as Temple XII which is situated right alongside Temple XIII. The two temples were constructed on top of a big platform and each structure has a stairway going to the top of the temples. Based on an archaeologist, the top structures were built on existing buildings.
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 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
The Palace of the Masks or Codz Poop is the most well-known ancient Mayan structure in Kabah. This building is large and covered with masks of the Rain God, Chac.
About the Author:
Discovering the Mexico Mayan Temples provides a great experience and knowledge about the ancient Maya civilization that continues to entice, impress and influence people of the modern world. Keep reading interesting ancient Mayan ruins travel stories, visit One Jungle Adventure Travel Community.
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