Week 24 'Final Project'- Mayan History of Chichenitza

Carved Mayan stone figures- History of Tikal vs Chichen Itza

Tikal is the ruins of an ancient Mayan City, Ceremonial and military centre Tikal and that can be a found in a rain forest in Guatemala. It is one of the largest sites of pre-Colombian, Mayan civilisation that is now positioned as a feature in Guatemala's largest national park. Tikal was the capital of one of the most powerful and influential kingdoms of ancient Maya- dominating the land and people both economically and politically. and ancient archaeologists have predicted that this site can date back as far as 4th century BC, was abandoned 500 years later and re-discovered by Ambrosia Tut in 1848. It can be named as Maya's most precious pieces of history and is commended for both its extraordinary archaeological significance and expansive history of biodiversity.

In the same way, Chichen Itza was also a hub, located on the peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico, serving as a religious, military, political and Commercial centre that is though to have homed up to 35,000 people at one specific time. It is thought to be so significant due to it being the only source of water in the region, being situated amidst sinkholes, and caves also known as Cenotes. Cenotes are also a significant part of Mayan history due to religious links to sacrifice and healing but that will be discussed at a later time. Chichen Itza has a rich history of war and invasion- with affiliation with Aztecs and Spanish invasions and rights of ownership. There are many stories dating back thousands of years that testament to the perpetual rivalry between the Mayans and Azteks however the takeover of Chichen Itza follows the invasion of the Mayans, lead by the Spanish Franciscan missionaries in an attempt to eradicate the religion and creating a new empire of 'New Spain'.

These images are found in the album named ''Maya-Toltec Temples and Carvings, 1938'', which document a trip taken by Octavio Medellin and his family to Mexico in 1938. the photograph album depicts many images of these Maya- Toltec carvings, architecure, murals and shrines taken at both Chichenitza itself aswell as Uxmal.

RESEARCH This page is part of the collection 'PART 3'.

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