Chichén Itzá – An Ancient Mayan City Shrouded In Mystery

Offering human sacrifices to appease the gods, constructing pyramids with mind-boggling mathematical precision and participating in fierce matches of Poc-a-Toc with the possibility of being beheaded at the end of the game, was just another day in the life of the ancient Maya.  They are a civilization that has inhabited parts of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras for thousands of years, building empires which thrived until approximately the 12th century AD.

Chichén Itzá, considered to be a sacred Mayan mecca, was a significant religious and urban center for the ancient indigenous people. After being colonized around the 8th century by the Itzá, hundreds of thousands of Maya pilgrimaged to the great ceremonial site, which possessed equal prominence as a Central American trade hub. Construction of the first stone buildings began during this time, and over 1000 years later, many of the monuments on the 16 square kilometer archeological site still stand.

Deciding to settle at the Cenote Sagrado (Sacred Cenote) for its abundant water supply, they named the influential settlement, Chichén Itzá, meaning “at the mouth of the well Itzá.”  Not only was the great cenote a continuous source of water, it later served as a place of worship. Precious items such as gold, copper and jade as well as the skeletons of young women have since been dredged from the sacrificial well.

According to mythology, the Maya worshipped approximately 250 gods whom it was believed, lived on the peaks of mountains. Thus, grand pyramids were constructed to represent mountain tops where the leaders of the people could commune with the deity. The most awe-inspiring of the many stone structures at Chichén Itzá is “El Castillo” or the castle.

This grand temple was declared one of The New Seven Wonders Of The World for its phenomenal accuracy in depicting the advanced astrological system and calendar of this fascinating people.  Also known as the Temple of Kukulkan, each of El Castillo’s four faces incorporate a stairway with 91 steps ascending to the main platform at the top.  With the addition of this main platform, there are 365 steps in total, one for each day of the year. Moreover, on the facing of the 9 tiers, are 52 stone reliefs which represent the cycle when both the solar and religious calendars would re-align.

What is truly spectacular is the special effect which occurs during the spring and fall equinox. As the sun begins to set on these two particular days every year, a shadow is cast which gives the illusion of a massive snake slowly slithering down along the side of the pyramid. Approximately 5 hours later, it connects with a serpent head at the base of the structure. Spectators travel from around the world to witness this marvelous scene.

Also on the mystical grounds, is The Great Ball Court where players would demonstrate their extreme athletic skills by hitting a heavy, rubber ball, usually with their hips, through one hoop which was fixed high on the wall of each side of the court. Rendered in the stone relief panels near the ball court are hieroglyphics which depict two teams of 7 with one team member holding one of the opposing team’s decapitated head!  It is unclear whether the severed head belonged to the captain of the winning team or losing team.  In either case, athletes feared not, as being sacrificed meant they would receive a direct path to live infinitely amongst the gods in the upper spiritual world.

Other notable landmarks on the impressive ruin site are the Caracol, or the spiraling snail monument which was used as an observatory, and the Temple of a Thousand Warriors.  On these hundreds of columns, are carved the images of Toltec warriors, some of which still faintly display the original paint.

To walk the grounds and view these masterpieces, one cannot help but wonder why this superior cult consisting of remarkable mathematicians, architects, painters, sculptures, astrologists, and linguists abandoned what was at the time, one of the most flourishing centers of the Mayan empire.  Will persistent archeologists and historians be able to piece the puzzle and discover the factors which eventually led to the Classic Maya Collapse, or is the secret buried forever with the ancient people who last roamed over this sacred land?  Are the answers carved in the stones?  Only time will tell.

Cenotes – A Whole Other World Beneath The Yucantán Peninsula

The Yucantán Peninsula’s beauty spreads over a region enveloped by lush, tropical jungle and bordered by the  Caribbean Sea with its awe-inspiring shades of turquoise, aqua and deep blue.  Hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive each year to embrace the exquisite, natural splendor in the glorious Mayan Riviera.  Yet so much more enchanting wonder still lies beneath the surface of this area, waiting to be explored.

An estimated 10,000 cenotes, or open, access points to the world’s largest submerged cave system speckle the Yucantán Peninsula.  These surface connections to the slow-flowing, subterranean river system were created naturally millions of years ago.   Originally, this peninsula was admidst a giant reef system.  However, during the Stone Age, when ocean levels decreased, parts of the reef were left exposed and the coral was not able to survive.  As a result, a massive shelf of limestone, formed by the corals’ skeletons, emerged. Due its porous nature, slightly acidic rain waters seeped through the alkaline limestone rock and created the extensive underground waterway with its many caverns.  After the final Ice Age, ocean water levels rose, saturating the subterranean cavities, collapsing some, resulting in sink holes known as cenotes.

Some cenotes showcase fascinating cave formations boasting various sizes of icicle-shaped stalactites and stalagmites.   Others are protected by the Mexican government and have become important archeological sites.  While still others are considered to be sacred, and even haunted, by past and present Mayan civilization.

It was common for ancient Mayan cities to be built surrounding one or multiple cenotes as they were the residents’ primary source of fresh water.  Sacred ceremonies often took place around these wells which were thought to be gateways to the underworld.  Sacrificial offerings (some human), were presented to Chaac, for example, the god of rain, in times of drought. There is one famous cenote, Sac Uayum, 25 miles south of Mérida (the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán) which legend has it, is guarded by a feathered serpent with a horse’s head, keeping fearful Mayan locals at a distance. Up to last year, marine archeologists had discovered 15 human skulls lying on this eerie cenote’s floor and more are believed to be burried within the sediment.

Some interesting archeological finds include fossilized remains of camels, giant jaguars and mammoths, fine jewelry, textiles, pottery, sculptures, as well as the oldest human remains ever found in the Americas, dating back to at least 10,000 years ago.  These significant artifacts depict the innovativeness and immense richness of the ancient Maya culture.

Cenotes have varying water depths ranging from a few meters to over 100 meters. The majority have cool, crystal clear waters with a stunning turquoise tone. The water itself has an upper layer of fresh water overlying a layer of salt water. As the rainwater filters down towards the cenote, it has a tendancy to flow out horizantally along the water table to eventually reach the ocean.

To have the opportunity to swim, snorkel and dive within these natural wonders is an experience to truly appreciate forever. The refreshing translucent waters remain at a constant 25 degrees celcius or 76 degrees farenheit year round. Many of these magnificent swim holes have jumpable cliffs, averaging about 3 meters, which present oppotune moments to face fears of heights!

In the following video, I am leaping off the ledge at Cenote Eden, located just 20 minutes south of #playadelcarmen.  After I had silenced a few demons chattering back and forth in my head, I plumeted into the pristine waters. When I eventually bobbed to the surface, I heard my 8 year old, (who had just completed his 40th jump), call out “Can’t you just try it without screaming?!?”

Most of the dive shops in town offer day trips with transportation to the 100’s of nearby #cenotes. However, you can also gain some valuable insight and directions by speaking to the friendly locals here in Playa!

#comeplayinparadise

The Ancient Maya And The Ceiba Tree

If you have ever visited Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, you may have noticed many dining establishments and parks bearing the name “La Ceiba” or a variation of the title.  To the common tourist folk,  the significance of  “La Ceiba” remains unexplored, however, to the Maya, this sacred tree represents the center of universe.

For many centuries past, the Mayan people have revered the Ceiba tree, or Ya’ axche, meaning “Green Tree” or “First Tree”.  They believed it to be the tree of life which stood in the middle of the earth, uniting the terrestrial and spirit worlds.

The fine root system symbolizes the dwelling place of the dead, or the underworld.  The trunk is the middle world, or earth where humans reside and the umbrella of branches above opens up to create a pathway to the heavens.   According to Mayan mythology, the roots provided shelter for bats, a symbol of the cold, dark underworld.  Above on the ground’s surface, an ecosystem consisting of anteaters, insects, frogs and birds bustles with life.  The wide crown of branches above is occupied by the eagle, which represents the celestial realm.

Often times, a Mayan village was constructed around a great Ceiba tree as it offered protection, insight, prosperity and was the enduring symbol of eternal life.  To this day, out of respect for its prominence in Maya history and ideology, other trees which surround a Ceiba are harvested for lumber, but forestry workers will allow the magnificent tree which towers over all others, to stand.

A tropical Central and South American native, the grandiose tree can grow up to 100 meters tall with a trunk diameter of 3 meters.  It is usual for the Ceiba to grow near ample water sources.  Therefore, it was common knowledge that where a Ceiba tree grew, would be an ideal location to settle as it meant inhabitants would have a sufficient supply of water.

Besides its spiritual essence, the Ceiba was very important in regards to Maya economics.  Since the trunks were so massive and water resistant,  the Mayans built hollowed-out canoes from them, by which they traversed across the sea to partake in trade in other regions.

A mature tree produces seed pods which when open, expose fluffy white fibers which were used to stuff pillows and mattresses.  The bark, when consumed, relieved headaches and its buoyancy made for practical floatation devices such as rafts and lifejackets. A tea made from the flowers was brewed to ease stomach pain and oils extracted from the seeds of the tree were used to make soaps and fertilizers.

There are several Ceibas scattered throughout the city of Playa Del Carmen.  While walking along the famous 5th Avenue, you will pass by one of these enormous trees on Calle 14.  Beside the popular grocery store DAC on 30th Avenue near Constituyentes, another colossal Ceiba stands tall.

For thousands of years, the Ceiba has been protected out of reverence for its sacred character.  Since the Mayans regarded it as the tree of life, they believed that if the evergreen life source died, so too would humans perish.  Today, conservationists continue to make efforts to preserve the Ceiba tree due to its important environmental role as a habitat for hundreds of forest creatures.

The next time you come upon one of these splendid tree species or happen to pass by an eatery in Playa displaying its name on their sign, you will understand the deep significance it possesses within the Mayan culture.  It is yet another impressive work of Mother Nature, and its magical history is one further  fascinating aspect of the ancient Mayan civilization.