Mayan pyramids

From the material on the Mayan pyramids. The panorama and bird's eye view of the waterfall are truly impressive.

Many great civilizations have existed on our planet, all of them have contributed in one way or another to the history and culture of mankind. Among the most famous are the Maya, who created a unique writing system, art, architecture, mathematical and astronomical system and then disappeared without a trace.

In several countries: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, outstanding Mayan architectural monuments have been preserved. Several of these amazing masterpieces are featured in our panoramas. This, for example, the ancient city of Chichen Itza in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the most popular attractions in Mexico.

It is believed to have been founded in the 7th century AD. e. during the heyday of the Mayan culture. Here, in honor of Kukulkan, the supreme god of wind and rain, the “founder” of royal dynasties and large cities, a 30-meter pyramid “Temple of Kukulkan” was erected (out of 30 m in height, 24 is the pyramid, and 6 m is the temple on its top). The length of each side of the structure is 55 m, and each side of the temple has nine steps.

This is a masterpiece not only of architecture, but also of astronomy. Each of its four stairs has 91 steps, and their total number is 364. Together with the base-platform at the top of the pyramid, which unites all four stairs, the number 365 is obtained - the number of days in the solar year. The number of sections on each side of the temple is also symbolic: the nine steps of the pyramid are cut in two by a staircase, which corresponds to the number of months in the Mayan calendar year (18). And 52 stone reliefs on each wall of the sanctuary symbolize one calendar cycle, including 52 years. At the top of the pyramid is a small temple with four entrances where sacrifices were made.

The Maya represented Kukulkan as a feathered serpent with a human head, so every year on the days of the autumn and spring equinoxes in the temple dedicated to this deity, you can see the feathered serpent with your own eyes. On March 20 and September 22 at approximately 3 p.m., the rays of the sun illuminate the western balustrade of the main staircase in such a way that light and shadow form an optical illusion: a 37-meter snake “creeping” as the sun moves towards its own head, carved at the base of the stairs. This unique natural and architectural show attracts thousands of spectators every year and makes Chichen Itza the most famous attraction in Mexico and around the world.

In addition to the “Temple of Kukulkan”, Chichen Itza has preserved seven “stadiums” for playing ball, a giant rectangle from the remains of colonnades, a sacred well and many other interesting objects. The ancient city is recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site, and in 2007 it was also included in the list of the new seven wonders of the world.

Holidays in Mexico is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and can compete with other countries in the richness and variety of its attractions. One of the main features of this country are, of course, the Mayan pyramids. In fairness, it should be noted that the authorship of these structures belongs not only to the Maya Indians, but also to many other peoples of Mesoamerica who inhabited these territories thousands of years ago. Mayan pyramids were built over the centuries by the Aztecs, Toltecs and other influential tribal associations, but the laurels of their creation went to Mayan architects.

Pyramids in Mexico are rather complex structures of the ancient Indians. Most of these buildings are still buried under a thick layer of sand and earth, securely hidden from prying eyes by lush tropical vegetation. Many pyramids look like only the most ordinary green hill, but inside there may be multi-layered engineering buildings that keep the secrets of history. At the same time, the most ancient structure is located inside, and later pyramids and facings were built above it.

The most famous located in Teotihuacan, the ancient capital of the Aztecs. Here are the largest pyramids - the Moon and the Sun, which have been preserved in excellent condition, as well as the temple of the Mayan deity - Quetzalcoatl. Other popular attractions include the pyramids at Chichen Itza, Cholula and Uxmal.

Mayan pyramids at Chichen Itza represent a whole complex, which includes all kinds of urban buildings intended for living, observing the movement of the planets, sports games and entertainment of its ancient inhabitants. are very popular among all those who come to these places. Not far from these places in Tulum are the majestic and mysterious Mayan pyramids. In addition, very close to the ancient complex offers a beautiful view of the sea.

Pyramids of the ancient Mayan and Aztec tribes- one of the most ancient and mysterious artifacts that have survived to this day. Every year they attract tourists to the Central Mass who want to touch the secrets of ancient civilizations. Moreover, there really is something to see here.

History and secrets of the Mayan pyramids

The history of the Mayan civilization dates back from 3 to 4 thousand years. The origin of the Mayan state is considered yucatan island where El Salvador and Belize are now. In addition, the tribes occupied the territory of the modern south, as well as Guatemala and Honduras. Mayan state
lasted until the active arrival of the conquistadors to these lands in the 16th century.

Did you know? According to scientists, the Maya adopted the art of building pyramids from the mistletoe tribe. The first pyramids were small mounds, but soon they were built from processed limestone.

Most of all, scientists are tormented by the question of what devices were used to lift heavy stone blocks to the upper levels. It is no less interesting how the blocks themselves were turned, since none of the tools known to mankind allows such a high level of processing of limestone rock to be achieved. All this gives rise to versions of the alien origin of the Maya or at least about the contacts of Mesoamerican tribes with extraterrestrial civilizations. Moreover, the drawings found in the pyramids depict creatures that are very reminiscent of aliens in spacesuits.
Based on the decoding of hieroglyphs and other historical sources, it was these creatures that were considered gods by the Maya Indians, and it was in their honor that the pyramids were built. But unlike the Egyptian pyramids, which played the function of the burial place of the pharaohs, the Mayans had cult objects. At the top of the pyramid was a temple for sacrifices and other sacred rituals.

However, there is another interesting version. When examining the Pyramid of the Sun - the largest of the pyramids of Teotihuacan - a 7-cm layer of mica was found between the two levels of the pyramids. Two mica slabs were also found under the stone slabs of one of the dilapidated buildings included in the temple complex. In modern technology, this material is used as an electrical insulator, as it retains fast neutrons. Also, mica crystals can store and transmit huge amounts of information and energy. Considering that the ancient pyramids were built in the places of tectonic faults, which are the source of geomagnetic radiation, it is possible that mica was used to accumulate this energy.

In the myths of the Indians of Central America, it is said that the gods gave people thirteen sacred crystal skulls. By bringing them together, you can gain power over time and communicate with the gods. In 1927, British archaeologists led by Mitchell Hedges found an ancient Mayan city in the jungles of Mexico. The first thing that caught my eye: headless skeletons were sitting in the stands of the amphitheater for 1000 people. As a result of excavations under the altar of the temple, a skull made of polished quartz was found. The level of processing of crystals was so high that even modern technologies are inaccessible. After the archaeologists seized this crystal skull, every night someone beheaded one of the members of the expedition and put it on the podium of the amphitheater. Perhaps the headless "spectators" discovered by archaeologists were also hunters for this artifact.

During the year, several more such skulls were found in different Mayan pyramids. According to one version, these skulls are part of a large technical installation. A person (most likely a priest) standing in its center and holding onto a crystal skull could communicate with the one in whose honor this pyramid was built. If this artifact is just a cult item, then it would be made of gold rather than mica.

Another interesting detail: underground corridors of the Temple of the Sun lead to a strange cave, made in the form of a four-blade chamber. Fragments of mirrors and a powerful drainage cooling system were found in it, which may indicate the technical purpose of the Mayan pyramids.

Did you know? If you look at Teotihuacan from a bird's eye view, then the arrangement of the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the temples around them resembles a computer motherboard.

Therefore, there is an assumption that the pyramids are the center of communication between the Mayan civilization and the alien mind. Which gives additional arguments to supporters of the version of the alien origin of life on the planet.

Mayan pyramid at Chichen Itza

This city was founded by the Mayan tribe in the 7th century AD. From the X to the middle of the XI century Chichen Itza was taken over by the Toltec tribe. Then the city was conquered by the Maya, who lived here until the end of the XII century. According to archaeologists, the city was subjected to numerous raids and looting, which caused the exodus of local residents from the city. Unfortunately, the Spanish conquerors who came to these lands pursued a policy of destroying manuscripts and Mayan clerics who could decipher them, so it is currently impossible to get a more complete picture of the events taking place.

In Mexico, photos of the Mayan pyramids can be found in any tourist city, as they are perhaps the most famous sights in the country. In the 1920s, restoration work was carried out there, and today it is the most interesting Mayan city for tourists, attracting masses of tourists to these places.

The main attraction of the ancient city is undoubtedly Pyramid of Kukulkan.

Did you know? Kukulkan is an analogue of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl. Both deities were depicted as a "feathered serpent" and were revered by the inhabitants of the Central American tribes.

The height of the temple is 24 meters, and with the temple on top - 30, the length of each of the four sides of the pyramid is 55 meters.
Each of the four sides, oriented strictly to the cardinal points, has 91 steps, which is 365 in total and is equal to the number of days in the solar year.
Each of the nine tiers of the pyramid is cut in two by a staircase, which corresponds to the number of months in the Mayan calendar - 18.
In addition, the Toltec calendar cycle is 52 years, which is displayed in 52 reliefs on the walls of the sanctuary.

The largest number of tourists is observed on the day of the spring and autumn equinoxes, when you can observe the "creeping snake". A shadow from the ribs of the pyramid falls on the balustrades, giving the impression that a snake is crawling: up in spring and down in autumn.

In the city itself, there are still a lot of various buildings and attractions, the most interesting of which are:

"Temple of Warriors" And "Temple of the Jaguars", the walls of which are decorated with interesting paintings;
"Karakol"- building of the observatory;
7 stadiums on which the Mayans played ball;
sacred cenote– 50-meter well for sacrifices.

Mayan pyramids in the city of Tikal

Tikal, located on the territory of modern Guatemala, I-IX centuries AD. e. was one of the centers of the Mayan state. It was rediscovered in 1848. There are many interesting objects on the territory of the city, including, in addition to the pyramids, an observatory, temple buildings, ball courts, etc. There are five pyramids in Tikal, the construction of which took place in the period 695-810:

Temple I. "Temple of the Great Jaguar" (height - 47 meters). It was built in honor of the ruler of the Mutul kingdom Khasav-Chan-Kavil I and is the place of his burial. Attracts tourists with skillful wooden carvings in the sanctuary, as well as the hall of the ruler's tomb;
Temple II."Temple of Masks" (height - 38 meters). It was built in honor of the wife of Khasav-Chan-Kavil I Ish-Lachan-Unen-Mo. This pyramid has been restored better than the rest, so tourists can admire the numerous wall paintings;
Temple III."Temple of the Jaguar Priest" (height - 55 meters). Currently closed for visitors, because. there are archaeological excavations;
Temple IV(height - 64.6 meters). The tallest building in the New World of the pre-Columbian era;
Temple V(height - 57 meters). Presumably, it is the burial place of the eldest son of Khasav-Chan-Kavil I.

Other popular Mayan pyramids: where are they

Uxmal. Northwestern Yucatan in the state of the same name in Mexico. It is located 70 kilometers south of the city of Merid;
El Mirador. Located in the north of Guatemala, near the border with Mexico and not far from Belize;
Kalamkul. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, 140 kilometers south of the Mexican city of Campeche;
Palenque. in the northeastern Mexican state of Chiapas. It is located 150 kilometers southeast of the city of Villahermosa.

History of the Mayan Empire - video

In this video you will see a description of where the ancient secrets of the legendary Mayan civilization are hidden under the cover of the jungle. Until now, scientists do not know how it all began in the history of the great Mayan people. Who and how built ancient cities, temples, pyramids and tombs... To find out about this, you have to go down just a few meters deep into the earth.

You can learn more about the history of the Mayan civilization and other Mesoamerican tribes in the historical and archaeological museums, which store many ancient artifacts. Well, do not forget that, for example, Mexico, where there are many Mayan pyramids, attracts tourists from all over the world with its many beaches, nature reserves, clean fresh water, original cultural traditions and, of course, local cuisine and first-class tequila. Therefore, touching the antiquity and the secrets of the pyramids, you will have something to do on vacation.

The Maya is an ancient civilization that lived in southern Mexico and parts of Central America for 3,000 years. During its existence, this people created cities in which there were famous temples - the Mayan pyramids.

The ancient Mayan civilization is one of the world's oldest cultures. According to scientists, history has a history of at least 3,000 years. The Mayan progenitor tribes very quickly took shape in a real civilization, which began to dominate the continent already 500 years after its inception. The Maya paved many trade routes and founded several large cities with a total population of over 200,000 people.

Maya civilization

The history of the Mayan people dates back to around 2000 BC. e. At this time, there is an active resettlement of ancient people in the regions of Central America. The result of this migration was the emergence of a number of tribes and nationalities - both original and related to each other.

The Mayan civilization lasted about 2000 years
at its peak

One of the ethnic groups that originated in this period was the Mayan people. Already at the beginning of its development, its representatives begin to found cities, build temples, engage in exchange and trade, develop hunting and agriculture.

In 500 B.C. e. on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the first Mayan temples begin to appear, around which large cities begin to be built. One of them is El Mirador - the city in which the largest of the known Mayan pyramids - La Danta, 72 meters high, is located.

Religious rites, rituals and sacrificial ceremonies of the ancient Maya were held in special structures - temples and pyramids. Maya burials were also located in them. Ritual ceremonies and funerals of rulers took place with the participation of huge masses of people, leaving behind almost eternal monuments - pyramids.

The pyramids of the ancient Maya are quite complex architectural structures. Basically, they consist of large platforms that form huge steps. Almost all Mayan temples were built so long ago that they are currently underground. But not all monuments of an ancient civilization were expected to be taken into account: many Mayan pyramids in Mexico have almost completely preserved their original appearance and continue to attract scientists and tourists from all over the world.

Appearance

What did the Mayan pyramids look like? If the pyramids of Egypt were for the most part similar to each other, then this cannot be said about the Mayan pyramids. So, the Temple of Stone Altars in Altun-ha is a whole complex of several platforms, pillars, various steps and stairs. In contrast, La Dante from El Mirador consists of large platforms, and in the middle is a staircase leading up.

The Temple of Stone Altars is different
from the Pyramid of La Dante from El Mirador

But, of course, the Mayan pyramids also have common features:

Mayan pyramids are located in the centers of ancient cities;
no pyramid has a "smooth" side without steps;
on each of the Mayan pyramids there are buildings, temples used for sacrifice;
The "body" of the pyramids in most cases consists of stones, gravel and clay.

Construction features

Scientists have studied Mayan structures for many years and found that there are no large blocks in the construction of the pyramids. In addition, as already mentioned, clay and other materials that are easily exposed to the environment were widely used.

This choice of materials was probably due to the fact that the Maya lacked reliable tools and technologies for processing hard rock. This seriously affected the durability of the Mayan pyramids, which were much worse preserved than their Egyptian counterparts.

The Mayan pyramids are really
from small blocks of sandstone

The sandstone that makes up the pyramids of the ancient Maya is rather poorly processed. But on the other hand, these rough-hewn stones are fastened with an unusually dense mortar, in composition, reminiscent of concrete. This solution included lime, for which the Maya cut down and burned vast forest areas. It is believed that the Mayan pyramids have survived to this day largely thanks to this cementing mortar.

Mayan Pyramid Applications

According to one version of scientists, the purpose of the construction of the pyramids was to create a burial place for the Mayan rulers. The tomb, located deep underground, hid the body of the king, decorations and slaves sacrificed with him. In addition, the pyramids were also temples for sacrifices. Thus, the grave of the Mayan king turned into a sacred place for his former subjects.

There is also a theory that the Mayan pyramids were used as musical instruments. Many pyramids are built in such a way that the echo from the sound of footsteps at the top of the pyramid resembles the sound of falling drops. These peculiar sounds are called "rain music".

Ritual ceremonies and burials are considered another use of the pyramids. Most of the rituals and traditions were held at the foot of the pyramids or in the temples located on them. Most of the rituals of the Mayan peoples were associated with blood.

Blood has always been of great importance to the ancient Central American tribes, and the Maya were no exception. The ritual of bloodletting was very common. This is evidenced by clay vessels and ritual tools found during excavations.

Also among the Maya, sacrifices were widespread. Not only ordinary people or slaves were sacrificed, but also representatives of the upper strata of society of civilization, as well as captured warriors of other tribes.

The burial places of rulers played an important role for the Maya. An example is the burial of the ruler Pascal in a pyramid called the Temple of the Inscriptions.

An incredible amount of jewelry was found on the ruler, he was dressed in the most beautiful clothes. Near the stone sarcophagus, decorated with portraits of his ancestors, there were clay vessels with water and dishes with food. The Maya believed that traveling to the afterlife required a lot of strength, and the ruler needed to eat during this journey. And rich jewelry and clothes testified that this spirit does not belong to an ordinary person, but to a leader or ruler.

Secrets of the Mayan pyramids

Some Mayan pyramids have their own mysteries and secrets. For example, the pyramid of Kukulkan. In the evening, huge crowds of people gather around it to look at the wonderful spectacle. At five o'clock, at sunset, a pattern of sunlight begins to appear on the steps of the Kukulkan pyramid. Every minute it becomes more and more distinct. The drawing resembles a long snake crawling from the top of the pyramid down the stairs. The spectacle lasts about three hours.

The ancient Mayan pyramids fascinate with their age
and the secrets hidden in them

Similar phenomena can be observed in almost every pyramid. The Mayan pyramids in Mexico are especially "rich" in them, being one of the main attractions that attracts millions of tourists from all over the world to the country.

The legacy and significance of the pyramids in world culture

Mayan pyramids remain one of the oldest monumental monuments of our planet. For three millennia, they have kept the history and culture of one of the most distinctive world civilizations. Mayan burials evoke not only cognitive, but also scientific character: along with numerous tourists, archaeologists, historians and numerous researchers work at the sites of ancient Mayan buildings.

At present, many, but far from all, mysteries and secrets of the Mayan pyramids are open: scientists still have not come to a consensus on many issues: who built the pyramids, what technologies were used in their construction, for what and by whom they were used. The megalithic structures of the ancient Maya are reluctant to reveal their secrets, but it is hoped that over time we will learn much more about them.

You can find the company that makes tombstones in your area in the Tombstone Making section of our ritual guide.

The Mayan prophecy about the end of the world in 2012 made a lot of noise at the time. We successfully survived it and now we can, without worrying, study the architectural masterpieces - the pyramids that these same Mayans built in Mexico. Each of the surviving pyramids carries a meaning and shows us how highly developed the exact sciences were among this people. Studying the buildings of the Mayan pyramids, you can puzzle over a bunch of questions, the main one of which will be: “How so?”.

Where are the Mayan pyramids located?

"In which city to look for the Mayan pyramids?" - Surely you have already had such a question? In fact, there are several cities. Let's start with the most significant and interesting monuments.

Another interesting feature of this building was noticed in the 20th century. Twice a year, crowds of people gather near the pyramid to observe this miracle. Due to the play of light and shadow on the steps of the pyramid, you can see a huge writhing snake with an open evil mouth, sliding from the bottom up. This spectacle lasts a little over 3 hours. And what is noteworthy is that if the ancient builders had moved at least one of the objects that created this illusion, at least a couple of centimeters, we would not have seen the snake. Can you imagine what a colossal work has been done, and what great minds have calculated all this construction?

An interesting fact is also that the entire pyramid complex is a huge resonator. Walking inside, instead of your steps and voice, you can hear the voice of the kaztel, a bird that the Mayans considered sacred. In this we also see the painstaking work of the ancients. To create such an effect, someone had to carefully work on calculating the thickness of the walls. Another interesting discovery from the category of acoustics and sounds was found on the ball court, located among the pyramids. People who are on this site in different temples (and this distance is about 150 meters) hear each other perfectly and can communicate, but at the same time, nearby neighbors will not be heard at all.

Bypassing the territory of the city, you can see another miracle - a real natural well. Its dimensions are quite impressive. The well is 60 meters in diameter. But its depth is still unknown.

Now you can imagine what a huge number of secrets and mysteries will open before you if you decide to visit Mexico. So, make out and arm yourself with a camera and go on this mysterious journey.