Chichen Itza

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The construction of El Castillo reflected the Maya practice of executing several phases for their temples. The last phase likely occurred between 900–1000 CE, though an inner substructure dates to 600–800 CE. Archaeologists found that when a temple was renewed, former constructions were destroyed using rituals resolving spiritual forces to preserve sacredness. Inside the outer temple, excavators discovered two distinct rooms: the "Hall of offerings" containing a Chac Mool statue with mother-of-pearl inlays, and the "Chamber of Sacrifices." The latter held parallel rows of human bones and a red jaguar statue. Analysis revealed the jaguar's fangs were Lobatus costatus shells and its green stones were jadeite, while X-ray fluorescence showed it was painted with cinnabar (mercury sulfide). This pigment, traded from distant sources, symbolized life, death, and sacrifice, likely marking the ritual closing of the temple for renewal.

In Their Own Story

In April 1935, after extensive excavation work, archaeologists uncovered a Chac Mool statue inside the "Hall of offerings," its nails, teeth, and eyes inlaid with mother of pearl. A year later, in August 1936, they found a second room nearby dubbed the "Chamber of Sacrifices." Inside lay two parallel rows of human bone set into the back wall and a red jaguar statue oriented north-northeast. The jaguar's fangs were identified as gastropod mollusk shells, and its green stones analyzed as valuable jadeite. Researchers concluded an inner temple existed beneath the outer structure, approximately 33 m wide with nine steps and a height of 17 m to the base where these treasures lay. This discovery confirmed that the site remained sacred regardless of position, with the temple built atop a cavity filled with water near four cenotes: Sacred (North), Xtoloc (South), Kanjuyum (East), and Holtún (West).

Reader's Guide

El Castillo is aligned at the intersection of four cenotes, supporting its role as an axis mundi. Its north face has an azimuth of 111.72°, corresponding to sunsets on May 20 and July 24—dates separated by multiples of 13 and 20 days, reflecting basic calendrical periods used for scheduling agricultural activities. During spring and autumn equinoxes, the late afternoon sun strikes the northwest corner, casting triangular shadows that create the illusion of a feathered serpent crawling down the northern balustrade. While popular with thousands of contemporary visitors, it is unknown if this effect was a purposeful design, as it can be observed without major changes for several weeks near the equinoxes. A handclap made near the foot of the staircase returns as a brief descending frequency sweep, compared to the call of the resplendent quetzal.

Did You Know?

• The temple has approximately 91 steps on each of its four sides, totaling 365 including the top platform to match the Haabʼ year.
• Excavations in 1927 and 1931 confirmed an older substructure built between 600–800 CE beneath the main temple constructed between 900–1000 CE.
• The red jaguar throne inside was painted with cinnabar (mercury sulfide), a pigment not locally accessible and valued for its trade distance.
• A handclap near the staircase base returns as a descending frequency sweep resembling the call of the resplendent quetzal.
• Four fangs of the red jaguar statue were identified using digital microscopy as Lobatus costatus gastropod mollusk shells.