Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Chile, El Salvador are the territories of countries that still preserve evidence of the existence of ancient civilizations that flourished on the American continent long before the appearance of Europeans. The ancient Olmecs, Mayans, Aztecs, Incas and many other tribes who lived on these lands left behind amazing creations that have been exciting the minds of scientists and researchers for centuries trying to unravel the mystery of their existence and construction methods beyond the control of even contemporaries. To date, there are many archaeological sites left, but we have selected 6 of the most impressive masterpieces of the mysterious civilizations of pre-Columbian America, which are vivid examples of the achievements of ancient masters.
1. The Pyramid of the Sun in the ancient city of Teotihuacan (Mexico)
The Pyramid of the Sun was built in the city of Teotihuacan at the beginning of the 1st century AD (Mexico). | Photo: lastwordonnothing.com .
The Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan is one of the oldest mysteries of pre–Columbian America (Mexico).
The Pyramid of the Sun is the third largest pyramid in the world (height 66 meters), after the Great Pyramid of Cholula (Mexico) and the Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt). Like many similar objects preserved on the American continent, the pyramid of the Sun has a stepped structure and a flat top. Built using clay bricks that make up its inner core, expertly hidden behind a massive shell of large hewn stones, around the second century AD, it was for many centuries a place of worship, which was later used by the Aztecs, who consider the city and the pyramid of the Sun “the place where the gods are born.”
2. Quetzalcoatl Temple in Teotihuacan (Mexico)
The Temple of Quetzalcoatl is a landmark building in Teotihuacan (Mexico). | Photo: art-facts.com .
All facets of the Quetzalcoatl pyramid are lavishly decorated, mainly with images of the deity in the form of a feathered serpent (Teotihuacan, Mexico).
The Temple of Quetzalcoatl (also known as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent) is an iconic object of the ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan, which was discovered quite recently, in the 1920s. The six–level stepped pyramid, which has a rectangular base, is decorated with amazing carvings, high reliefs and sculptures, most of which depict feathered snakes. Built in 150-200 AD in honor of one of the main deities of Quetzalcoatl (personified the earth and its fertility), who was worshipped since the XII century BC, the temple has served as a place of worship and sacrifice for many centuries.
3. The Pyramid of the Soothsayer in Uxmala (Yucatan, Mexico)
The Pyramid of the Soothsayer is one of his most outstanding structures of the ancient world on the American continent (Mexico). | Photo: es.wikipedia.org .
The Pyramid of the Soothsayer, also known as the Pyramid of the Sorcerer or the Pyramid of the Dwarf (according to legend) was built in the ancient city of Uxmal, which at one time was a thriving political, cultural and religious center of the late period of the Maya civilization. The main feature of this pyramid is its elliptical shape, which can be called quite rare and not only for the American continent. Its steep, rounded sides create an amazing appearance, significantly different from the more traditional step pyramids. Although the oval shape is inherent only in the first three levels, but the fourth and fifth have the usual prismatic structure. It is worth noting that 5 successive extensions relating to various periods and decorative styles, including Peten, Usumacinta, Rio Chenes and Puuk, as well as the final element – the temple with crests made the Pyramid of the Soothsayer the most unique structure on the planet.
The elliptical shape of the first three levels is a unique phenomenon in the construction of pyramids (Pyramid of the Soothsayer, Mexico).
An interesting fact: The name of a rather impressive object, whose height is currently 35 meters, is associated with a legend told by local residents to the American researcher John Lloyd Stevens, who visited the ancient city in the XIX century. It says that a dwarf, born from an egg found by a witch in the vicinity of Uxmal (it is rumored that he had the gift of foresight), made a bet with the then ruler of the city. He promised that he would build an unprecedented pyramid in just one night. And if he completes this task, then the power will pass into his hands. The ruler only laughed and agreed to the bet, because no one would ever have been able to do it, but he miscalculated. The dwarf fulfilled his promise and proclaimed himself the ruler of the “thrice-built city of Uxmal.”
4. The Palace of the Governor of Uxmal (Mexico)
The Palace of the Governor of Uxmal is one of the most striking examples of the architectural style of puuk (Mexico).
The lavishly decorated facade of the Palacio del Gobernador (Uxmal, Mexico) has been perfectly preserved.
The Palacio del Gobernador or the Governor’s Palace of Uxmal is another landmark building of the ancient city located on the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. The impressive remains of the once majestic palace, recognized as an ancient archaeological monument of the Maya civilization, belong to the ancient architectural style of puuk, inherent in the Mesoamerican period. This is evidenced by the intricate stone mosaic on the facade, complex carved patterns, multiple images of the rain god Chaak and all kinds of snakes, giant masks, symbolic elements and stone sculptures of bizarre creatures. It is worth noting that the entire archaeological complex, covering the remains of the stunning ancient city of Uxmal, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. Kukulkan Temple in Chichen Itza (Yucatan, Mexico)
The Pyramid of Kukulkan is an outstanding landmark of Mexico (Chichen Itza). | Photo: za.pinterest.com .
The temple in Chichen Itza is also dedicated to the main deity of the fertility of the earth – the feathered snake Quetzalcoatl (Mexico).
The Temple of Kukulkan or El Castillo is considered one of the most outstanding and iconic architectural landmarks of the Mesoamerican period of the continent’s history. Located in the ancient city of Chichen Itza on the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico), which was the main cultural, economic and political center of the Maya civilization, the Temple played a major role in religious life. This is evidenced by the many structures that have survived to the present day. Authors Novate.ru We would like to note that the stepped pyramid, consisting of a number of square terraces and a temple at the top, to which stone stairs lead from all sides, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as the remains of the majestic city.
6. Temple of the Great Jaguar in Tikal (Guatemala)
The Temple of the Great Jaguar is the most colossal structure in the capital of the Mutul kingdom (Guatemala).
The Temple of the Great Jaguar or “Tikal I Temple” is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Guatemala, as is the entire ancient Mayan city of Tikal, which at the beginning of the first millennium AD was the capital of the Mutul kingdom. The stunning structure, along with many other preserved architectural objects that are the heritage of all mankind, is a nine-level stepped pyramid with a height of 47 m and this, without taking into account the burial structure at its top, towering another 8 meters. The temple got its name because of the abundance of high reliefs carved on the sides of the pyramid depicting the mighty jaguar, which was quite a revered deity and one of the cultural symbols of the Maya.
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