Chichén Viejo, the hidden area of Chichén Itzá will open to the public
The authorities announce for next September 2, 2023, the opening of the oldest area of the complex, whose occupation began in the 5th century and is made up of twenty structures in which former rulers lived.
Chichén Viejo, the oldest building in Chichén Itzá, will open its doors to the public on September 2, as announced by Diego Prieto Hernández, the director of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
During the informative conference, the findings found in the archaeological zone were also shown: an offering with five vessels and a decoration in the form of a bird.
Chichén Viejo, whose occupation began in the 5th century, is made up of twenty structures in which it is presumed that ancient rulers came to live with their families, and it is 800 meters south of the famous building of the Nuns.
Chichén Viejo is part of the city that preceded the great Chichén Itzá complex.
The INAH authorities are working on a museum and a visitor service center to serve tourists who come to that area. Progress in construction is between 35% and 24%, the director assured.
The excavations carried out in the old part of the complex have allowed the discovery of new structures:
- Temple of the Initial Series (“Templo de la Serie Inicial”)
- Palace of the Phalluses (“Palacio de los Falos”)
- House of the Snails (“Casa de los Caracoles”)
- Gallery of the Monkeys (“Galería de los Monos”)
The old Mayan city is divided into eight structures, four platforms, several habitation vestiges, a wall with six entrances, and a tomb in which a ruler or an elite character of the time was buried. It is known that it belonged to the Canules dynasty.
The Estructura de los Estucos are the remains of a residential building that dates back to the year 600 and is the oldest in the group.
In the Temple of the Atlantean Columns, the base with the figure of Chac Mool and two columns carved like the Atlanteans, anthropomorphic figures characteristic of the Mayan culture, stand out.
On December 30, the administration of Chichén Itzá announced the arrival of 2.5 million visitors, and it became the most visited pre-Hispanic enclave in Mexico that year.
Chichén Viejo archaeological site
Chichén Viejo is the enigmatic less explored area of Chichén Itzá. Chichén Viejo is called the part of the archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá that will be open to the public for the first time in September 2023.
The area of Chichen Viejo is still being meticulously explored by researchers and archaeologists.
As they delve deeper into its enigmatic depths, an array of previously unknown findings are being unearthed, offering intriguing glimpses into the diverse and captivating legacy left behind by its ancient Mayan inhabitants.
The discoveries made in Chichén Viejo add up to eight structures, four platforms, habitation vestiges, a wall with six entrances, and recently, the tomb of a ruler or personage of the Mayan elite, who belonged to the Canules dynasty.
The discovered buildings of Chichen Viejo:
- The Temple of the Initial Series (“El Templo de la Serie Inicial”)
- The Stucco Structure (“La Estructura de los Estucos”)
- The Temple of the Atlantean Columns (“El Templo de las Columnas Atlantes”)
- The Palace of the Phalluses (“El Palacio de los Falos”)
- The House of Snails (“La Casa de los Caracoles”)
- The Temple of the Owls (“El Templo de los Búhos”)
- The Gallery of the Monkeys (“La Galería de los Monos”)
- The Turtle Platform (“La Plataforma de la Tortuga”)
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