Chichen Itza is a Mayan name which means "mouth of the well of the Itza." It's located in the northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and was the capital of a large region while the Toltecs were in power in the 11th and 12th centuries.
What began as a farming community was transformed into a ceremonial center by the year 700 A.D.
Numerous sacrifices were carried out in their well which was sacred to the rain god, Chac. The remains of young people have been excavated from the bottom of the sacred well.
The Mayans are famous for their remarkably early and yet exact grasp of astronomy and the calendar. Located on the site of Chichen Itza is an astronomical observatory which was built in the Puuc style of Maya architecture.
Toltec leader Kukulcan took over Chichen in 987 and built it into a Toltec-Maya capital. The main pyramid called El Castillo was dedicated to him.
The Temple of the Warriors is next to it, with some architectural details such as a chacmool which cause it to be reminiscent of the site of Tula. (where there is also a chacmool.)
Across from that building is a huge ball court where the legendary games took place wherein the entire losing team would be obligated to sacrifice their hearts on the chacmool. (and other such sacrifices to the gods.)
There are two smaller structures which are believed to be platforms for sacrifice, especially since they are near the sacrificial cenote. (pool). It has been suggested by some that they could have been landing platforms for the aliens who might have helped them with the building of the massive Mayan buildings.
Chichen Itza fell as a capital In the late 12th century in favor of Mayapan, and it lost its pre-eminence for the rest of history to date.
The Mayan mathematical system was the first to include a symbol for zero. Their script has more than 800 hieroglyphs, many of which remain untranslated- although the Mayan calendar was decoded in 1880.
The Maya wrote down their history and customs in books with paper made from fig tree bark. The conquering Spanish were so relentless in their efforts to eliminate "heathenism" that virtually all records have been destroyed.
Bibliography
Ancient Times, Historical Facts, A Journey from the Dawn of History to the Glory of Rome, Amanda O'Neill, Bramley Books,
