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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.]

Northern Temple of the Ball Court Maya Toltec Architectural Style constructed 900-1100 A.D.



The staircase panels are decorated with
trees, butterflies and birds topped by a
square panel with a figure of Kukulcan representing the man bird serpent.

Pages Created: Wednesday, 4-March-98
URL: http://www.best.com/~swanson/maya/eg_maya_chichen_index
Photographs by L.Swanson and where indicated,
images © 1999 arttoday.com (used with permission)
Web pages written and designed by L.C. Swanson.