ANTH 1140 Lecture 18: Chichen Itza Observatory
Document Summary
50 miles inland from caribbean coastline, at sea level. Northernmost major site for maya in yucatan. Chichen itza translates to at the mouth of the well of the itza . Droughts = common, leading to possible famine. Founded in 650 ad, reign lasted to 1200 ad. Animals native = iguanas, parrots, deer, jaguars, armadillo, toucans, snakes, kinkajou, northern tamandua, oscillated turkey. Resources/artifacts: cenotes and limestone, one main cenote archaeologists found gold/greenstone artifacts because it was a place for sacrifice, offer artifacts to rain god chaak for rain. Brought first detailed record of ci architecture to public eye: augustus leplongeon. Embellished a lot (thought it was atlantis) lost credibility: william holmes. Carried out important studies of architecture: eduard seler. Codices had common themes (venus: alfred kidder and slyvanus morley. Tried to make a map of it: dr. peter schmidt. Works on maintenance, bringing structures to life. El castillo: dedicated to the feathered serpent, 365 steps, means the castle .
