George And Audrey DeLange
To the west of El Castillo can be seen The Great Ball Court which is probably the most famous ball court in the world and it is probably the largest of the Mayan ball courts. The Temple Of The Jaguars rises on the SE corner and there are temples on the North and South ends of the court. The outside dimensions are 545 feet by 225 feet and the field is 489 feet by 120 feet. The target rings are 20 feet above the ground. The walls of the court are vertical which is much different from the other ball courts which slant outward. Thus scoring must have been much more difficult. The ball court complex was completed in about 1200 AD just before the Toltec collapse and dispersal. This ball court is of such great size when compared to all other ball courts that it is wondered if the court had some other significance than the playing of the ball game. Perhaps it was a way of showing the great power and strength of the Itzas as compared to the others in the area.
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| The Great Ball Court Seen From West Side Of Top Of El Castillo Looking West Northwest Temple Of Jaguars In Photo Center | Temple Of The Jaguars Located On South East Corner Of Ball Court Facing Main Plaza Photo Looking West Limestone Jaguar Looking Out |
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| Playing Area Of Great Ball Court Temple Of The Bearded man In The Background Upper Temple Of The Jaguars Top Right | The ball Court As Viewed From The Top Of The Temple Of The Jaguars |
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| Audrey At The Ball Courts Upper Temple Of The Jaguar About 20 Feet Above The Field Facing West Onto The Ball Field Door Guarded By Serpents See Photos Directly Above | Column From House Of The Warriers |
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| Audrey At The Platform Of The Tigers And Eagles Dedicated To The Jaguar-Eagle Cult Introduced To Chichen Itza, 1200 AD | The Temple Of The Bearded Man Located On The North End Of The Ball Court In The Temple You Can Hear People Speaking On The South End Of The Ball Court |
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| The Venus Platform Built 1100-1200 AD On North Plaza North Of El Castillo Also Called Tomb Of The Chocmool | Frieze Of Kukulcan And Planet Venus Gives It The Name Venus In this Case Refers To A Group Of People As Well As To Venus |
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| East Of The Ball Court Is The Tzompantli Which Means "Wall Of The Skulls" Here Skulls Of Sacrifice Victims Were Displayed On Poles | To The East Of El Castill Can Be Seen This West Side View Of The Temple Of The Warriers |
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Chichen Itza Page One
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Chichen Itza Page Three
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Chichen Itza Page Four
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