Chichen Itza is a photograph by Geoeye/science Photo Library which was uploaded on September 23rd, 2018.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza, Mexico, satellite image. North is at top. The ruins of this ancient city, built by the Mayan civilisation, are at centre, surrounded by... more
Title
Chichen Itza
Artist
Geoeye/science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph
Description
Chichen Itza, Mexico, satellite image. North is at top. The ruins of this ancient city, built by the Mayan civilisation, are at centre, surrounded by forest, roads and an airstrip (upper centre). The main monuments and buildings date from the 11th and 12th centuries. The large pyramid (centre) is the Temple of Kukulkan. The pyramid's alignment means that sunlight shines down the northern stairway at sunset on the equinoxes. The sunlight and shadow sliding down the stairs is thought to represent Kukulkan, the Feathered Serpent god. The site also aligns with the solstices, and the number of steps (365, representing days of the year) and terraces may represent periods of the Mayan calendar. Image obtained by the Ikonos satellite on 5 March 2001.
Uploaded
September 23rd, 2018
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