Temple of the
Bearded Man
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The temple derives its name from a bas relief of
a bearded lord, an unusual representation in Maya art, who
takes his power from divine god Kukulcán. |
The North temple of the ball court has a
platform 14 meters long and 8 meters wide. On top of this is
a base with inclining walls and a central staircase. The staircase
panels are decorated with trees, butterflies and birds topped
by a square panel with figure of Kukulcán representing
the man-bird serpent.
The temple itself is 10 meters long and 6 meters
wide and consists of a single room with a vaulted roof. The
front has a sloping wall face and a vertical wall. These architectural
elements are common in other parts of Central Mexico and may
bave been introduced by the Itzá.
The back wall of the temple itself is decorated
with a variety of religious scenes showing a bearded lord and
the serpant god Kukulcán. There are also warriors with
arrows and several seated dignitaries in the guise of eagles.
[Based on Let's Learn about Chichén-Itzá
, Chichén-Itzá: The City of the Wise Men of
the Water. by Roman Chan and All About the Mayas. by
C. Dorese. published by Producción Editorial Dante (Mérida,
Mexico). All available in paperback and highly recommended.]
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