A Tomb with Good Bones

September 26th, 2020 Today we’re taking our last look at Chichén Itzá, at the Ossuary or Tomb of the Great Priest. This structure is smaller than the Temple of Kukulcan but equally captivating in its balance and form. As we often say about well-designed houses, this place has “good bones,” in more ways than one. Built of seven layers and

Sport & Skullduggery at Chichén Itzá

September 25th, 2020 Today we’re visiting the Grand Ball Court of Chichén Itzá, located at the northwest edge of the site. Just outside the court we find the tzompantli, loosely translated as “skull rack.” Here, the skulls are carved in stone, placed on vertical sticks, a macabre sight in the light of day. In my research of the Maya, I’ve

Caracol, Columns & Keystone

September 24th, 2020 After yesterday’s faces, today we’re taking a quick look at three areas of Chichén Itzá. El Caracol, located on the south side of the site, is an astronomical observatory with several tiers topped by a rotunda. El Caracol means “conch,” and refers to the spiral steps that lead to the top of the observatory, much like the

I See You

September 23rd, 2020 If you’re still reading, thanks for sticking with me through Chichén Itzá! It’s such a large and significant Mayan site, it would be difficult to write just one post about it. I find it easier to grasp in smaller chunks and more fun to keep the journey going for a bit in these times of no travel.

Chichén Itzá’s La Iglesia

September 22nd, 2020 After yesterday’s thoughts on the Temple of Kukulcan, today we’re taking our first look at La Iglesia (church) which is one of the structures of Chichén Itzá’s Grupo de las Monjas (the group of structures around and including the Nunnery). La Iglesia is striking for its contrast with the Temple of Kukulcan — the former being rectangular

Equinox at the Temple of Kukulcan

September 21st, 2020 Tomorrow is the autumnal equinox, or first day of fall. Here in the U.S., the moment will happen in the early morning and marks one of two days (the other being the vernal equinox) on our 365-day calendar when day and night occur in approximate equal measure. This happens because the sun — on these two days

Dark and Light at Labnaha

September 20th, 2020 Today we’re making one last stop at a cenote on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. As you’ve learned by now, the region is full of them and each has its own character. Some are deep and intimidating, some are popular shallow swimming holes, some are hidden and mysterious … like Cenote Labnaha. Labnaha is an actual hole in the

Vamos a Valladolid

September 19th, 2020 Today we’re in Valladolid, Mexico for a quick photo collage from around town. Valladolid was formally established by the Spanish in the 1540s, built on the former Mayan town called Zaci centered between Ek Balam, Cobá and Chichen Itzá. Until that time, Maya civilization had developed on the Yucatán Peninsula from as early as 2,000-1,000 B.C. Today,