Chichén Itzá

Title

Chichén Itzá

Publisher

Lawrence Technological University

Date Created

March 24, 2018

Alternative Title or Name

El Castillo

Creator2

Aluzzo, Adrienne (photographer)

Work Type

Single Built Works

Date

c. 1000

Work Location

Mexico (nation)

Chichén Itzá (deserted settlement)

Style/Period

Late Classic

Subject

stepped pyramids

Description

View of steps going up El Castillo at Chichen Itza, Mexico. "Typical of Mayan pyramids, El Castillo serves as a monumental representation of the Mayan calendar. The structure is made up of nine levels which represent the nine levels of the ‘afterlife’. Each of the four sides consists of a series of terraces which total 18 – the number of months in the Mayan year. Each side has a staircase which slants at a perfect 45-degree angle. Each staircase has 91 steps, which combined, and including the top platform, totals 365 – one for each day of the year ... The temple on top of the platform features walls that continue the pyramid’s slanted angle before transitioning to vertical. Vertical stone shafts similar to those found in Hindu architecture are found above the frieze, surrounded by bas-relief carvings of animals and fruits. The apertures to the pyramid temple are divided using twin circular columns which are carved as serpents,"--Designing Buildings Wiki.

Material/Medium

stone (worked rock)
limestone

Measurements

75 feet tall

Reproduction Type

jpeg

ID Number

2017MX-195

Files

2017MX-195.JPG
Date Added
January 17, 2018
Collection
LTU Digital Images
Item Type
VRA Core
Tags
, ,
Citation
“Chichén Itzá,” LTU Digital Images, accessed March 29, 2024, https://ltuimagecollection.omeka.net/items/show/17581.