Covering four square miles of the northern Yucatan Peninsula, the Mayan city of Chichen Itza’s origins remain shrouded in mystery, despite the wealth of archaeological curiosities discovered in and around its numerous temples, pyramids and sacred spaces over the past two hundred years.

Though the earliest artifacts recovered from the city date to 610 AD, it is undoubtedly older. Though never definitely proven, the prevailing theory surrounding Chichen Itza’s patchwork history goes like so: after surviving for half a millennium as a strictly Mayan settlement, the Toltec, an aggressive warrior tribe migrated north in 1000 AD. The city was invaded, the native Maya were conquered and new gods were installed in their temples.

By 1200 AD, Toltec civilization had run its course and Chichen itza was suddenly abandoned. In the second quarter of 13th century, a new community of Maya from nearby Campeche - calling themselves the Itza – had overtaken the deserted capital. This was a common practice for the nomadic peoples of the region; nonetheless, it is the Itzas’ name that remains linked with the city today.

The Itza continued to multiply in number for the next century, eventually founding the neighboring city of Mayapan. However, the rise of rival tribe called the Xiu in the late 15th century led to the destruction of Mayapan and forced the Itza to flee their reclaimed city - the second wholesale abandonment of Chichen Itza in as many centuries.

What the city lacked in permanent residents, however, it more than made up with for grand structures that still fascinate today. By far its most impressive is the Castillo, also known as the Pyramid of Kukulkan. As the main structure at Chichen Itza, the pyramid dominates the skyline at 78 feet and rises upwards through a series of nine platforms – each one a symbol of a different level of Mayan heaven. Entrance to the pyramid is gained through the four stairways that surround it on all sides. Each consists of 91 steps – a number that when multiplied by four and added to a one representing the platform at the temple’s summit, produces 365, the number of days in the year and proof positive of the Maya’s impressive calendar keeping skills.

From the top of vaunted pyramid, temple priests could view processions to the Sacred Cenote, the dreaded Well of Sacrifice. Spanning roughly an acre across, men, women and children were flung into the massive hole as sacrifices to the long forgotten Mayan gods. Despite the site’s grim connotations, it has proven to be treasure trove for would-be explorers; the cave’s depth and isolation has protected hundreds of skeletons and telltale artifacts from the ravages of time.

These are just two of Chichen Itza’s forboding and historic installations. Others include a fully restored Mayan ball court, a Temple of the Jaguar with strong links to the early Toltec settlers, an observatory and a bevy of smaller pyramids and holy sites. Without question, there are enough unsolved questions at Chichen Itza to keep scholars guessing for several more centuries.

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