El Castillo

El Castillo also known as the Temple of Kukulcán is a Mesoamerican pyramid in the Mexican state of Yucatan in the center of the Chichen Itza archaeological site.

 

The Mayans intrinsic astronomical knowledge is shown with the calender-like structure of El Castillo (“The Castle” pre 800 AD) There are 91 steps on each side of the pyramid and 1 for the roof/altar (365 total).  

Each day’s shadow falls upon a different step.

 On the spring and fall equinoxes, the sun projects an undulating pattern of light on the northern stairway for a few hours in the late afternoon. The triangles of light that appear connect with the large stone carvings of snake heads at the base of the stairs, suggesting a massive serpent snaking down the structure.

As this century progresses, there is a growing awareness that ancient cultures had a level of knowledge and awareness that we do not have NOR do we really understand.