Ancient Pyramid of Chichén Itzá Explained
What did the ancient city of Chichen Itza look like? In this virtual tour I show you the architecture of all the civic and religious structures that conformed the great pre-Columbian city in Mexico.
Subtitles available in several languages.
Ve el vídeo en español: • México Virtual 4K: ¿Có...
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Intro: 00:00
The city: 0:38
Ball game: 2:26
Tzompantli: 4:58
Platforms: 5:39
Pyramid of Kukulkan: 6:43
Temple of the Warriors: 15:20
Plaza of the Thousand Columns: 17:43
Sacbé/Cenotes: 19:37
Ossuary Complex: 22:15
Caracol: 24:13
Complex of the Nuns: 25:13
Abandonment of the city: 27:01
Ending: 27:26
Пікірлер: 373
What’s your favorite site in Mexico?
@jeffjeff4477
Жыл бұрын
Great video!!! Are there any pictures of the cenote underneath the temple in Chitzen itza? I really enjoyed Tulum ruins But C Itza is truly amazing
@edb8563
Жыл бұрын
Edzna. Been to over 12 sites and drove right past chichen itza. Good to avoid the crowds and learn through this video
@cherryswirlchale9511
Жыл бұрын
My favorites are Teotihiacan and Chichen Itza. I am part Maya but grew up in California and first visited Chichen around 1981 with my grandma, chichi as we say in Maya. I have since gone back around 6 times or so.
@theodoresmith5272
Жыл бұрын
Palenque. Teohunaca. Tolteca.
@kellypond9377
11 ай бұрын
Palenque, Monte Alban, Xochicalco.
This documentary is world class. It is amazing how with much less resources this video is a discovery documentary level.
In 1983 I visited Chichen Itza and climbed the 90+ stairs to the top structure and viewed out all four openings. It was more than amazing, I will never forget that day. Thank you for the ability to see it again.
@markuse3472
Жыл бұрын
Were you able to to see the Statue of Liberty, just a little bit?
@theodoresmith5272
Жыл бұрын
Yes they need to build a stairway up to the top and a platform people can stand at the top and take in the view. I've been when you could climb up and afterwards and it wasn't the same experience. Also having then traveled to several other Maya sites, itza is cool but not my favorite by any means.
@democratssuck8610
Ай бұрын
@@theodoresmith5272whats your favorite?
One of the most breathtaking and interesting places I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting.
@annebanda9797
Жыл бұрын
Me too. It's a bummer that I didn't pay enough attention now I have to watch videos to understand the place I visited
@IeldudeI
10 ай бұрын
Guatemala ones are waaay better but I don’t know why people are attracted to these. Oh wait, I know.
@JimmyGarcia-hh2og
4 ай бұрын
@@IeldudeI You're pathetic!.
My wife and I visited the Mayan Riviera several years ago. We chose to tour Tulum and Coba mainly because the pyramid in Coba still permitted people to climb the stairs to the top. My wife and I walked up and took in the amazing view as well as a few pictures including one of me laying on the sacrificial platform. My understanding is that this pyramid is no longer open to be climbed so I am thrilled that I had that chance as I’ve always felt a connection to Ancient Mayan Civilization. My wife is of Tsymsen ( Tsimshian )descent and may have been the first of her people to climb that pyramid, something our guide found interesting.
I do not understand why you don't have dozens of millions views and at least a few million followers. I haven't seen many documentaries that are better than your videos - visually and informatively. You deserve a lot more popularity but social media nowadays often popularizes mediocrity instead of pure genius like you
@lindaa.9859
Жыл бұрын
Agrees it was so good!!!
@kwal949
Жыл бұрын
Maria spitting facts here 👍
@michaelquinn3382
Жыл бұрын
Could not of said it better!
@josemeza7128
Жыл бұрын
And all this ladies and gentlemen are, just speculations, bcuz the Spanish never bothered to find out how exactly this society worked , as for human sacrifice I highly doubt that to be truth, simply because there are no cemeteries, they did however had capital punishment for those who broke the laws,
@soren9310
Жыл бұрын
@@josemeza7128 That is not true. The Spanish did extensive studies into Maya culture, based specially on their contact with those Maya tribes, which still lived in cities like Copan. However, finding cities, abandoned centuries beforehand, they of course had trouble understanding what happened to the point, where they doubted that the predecessors of the classic Maya, who where still living in small villages scattered around the area of their once great cities, were actually related to them. As for human sacrifice: yes, the Maya did sacrifice humans and oh shock, even in great numbers at times (the time of the classical period's collapse comes to mind) and yes, they had many different methods of sacrificing which changed over time as well...heart extraction for instance, came relatively late..drowning, starving or simple beheading (gruesome stuff with an obsidian sword) were practiced...ever heard of 18 rabbits? He was sacrificed on his own altar in Tikal, after being defeated by his own vassal state...how do we know? Because the Maya have told us in their stone inscriptions! We know who build what, we know large portions of the history of the most important city states and we know a great deal about their societal organization...trying to depict the Maya as something, they simply weren't is dishonest and sorry, facts don't care about your feelings. PS: as for "cemeteries" at the foot of the great serpent pyramid in Tikal, did the Archaeologists find more than 20 skeletons of small children, all around 1 to 2 years old who were sacrificed by blunt force to the head/neck and than buried under the pyramid during the construction phase to bless this temple
Your videos belong on Netflix or alike, to reach millions and educate, and to give you the well deserved credit of producer, historian, archeologist, writer, presenter, of these world class productions on historical sites.
Thank you so much for your expansive tour of Chichen Itza. I had the privilege of visiting this amazing place in 1970 when the possibilities of opening the area for tourism to raise money for further excavation, was being explored. At that time most of the area was still enveloped by the jungle and only one side of the main pyramid was excavated. It was exciting to explore with you the now exposed areas.
The quality of this video was amazing. The mixture of real footage with 3D renderings of how the buildings may have looked and the concise yet informative explanations made this video excellent. Keep up the good work!
@williamwolf2844
3 ай бұрын
He's masterful at doing these things. So many people on KZread have good videos, and probably more have terrible videos. But it's impressive how he is able to do a much better job than almost anybody else at this. I wish I had stumbled on his channel earlier.
I was working on a school project on this site and this video gave so much insight. Its very well made. Thanks a billion!!!
I visited Chichén Itzá almost fifty years ago. That day, it was 41°C in the shade; it was very challenging to walk this huge site, and to climb a pyramid to get a perspective against the surrounding jungle. I was told that the long-nosed carvings were representations of the rain god Chaac - they're in many places all over the site. At that time, you could enter inside the main temple to see the red jaguar and nearby chac mool, but I don't know if this chamber under the pyramid is still open to the public. But it was the chac mool at the Temple of the Warriors however, that had a gaze that froze my blood. I'll always remember it, the amazing carvings, and the smell of the bat guano inside many of the structures. Bats were sacred to the Maya, and it seems fitting that they alone still live there. The culture of the Maya was/is so impressive and fascinating.
@gabriel9116j
6 ай бұрын
It closed due to american tourist trashing the temples, at least that is what my native grandma told me
@JimmyGarcia-hh2og
4 ай бұрын
American tourists???? WTF!?!!! U mean people from the united states'🇺🇸???!? MEXICO is America!!! Thee America!! Mexicans and there reservation brothers and sisters, are the real, and only!! North Americans!! The rest are immigrants,U.S. citizens 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 there's 27 continental American countries, the united states'🇺🇸 is just one of them!! White people come from Europe!! Black's from Africa 🌍 Asians from Asia!! 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇲🇽 North America complete!!♥️🔥
@williamwolf2844
3 ай бұрын
@@gabriel9116jYou are no longer able to climb on top of the pyramids in Mexico, in general. But it's not because of Americans or anybody else trashing or vandalizing anything. It's because archaeologists sensibly decided that having people climb on the pyramids was bad for two reasons. It damages the stairs through routine climbing. And it's also dangerous for people doing this, whether they are American, Mexican, or Siberian.
This documentary is absolutely incredible. I'm going to visit chichen itza soon and I'm so pumped.
I slepped at the base of the columns in 1972 under a full moon and had a wonderfull sleep.
We just returned home to the USA from Chichen Itza and this video helped put so many of the pieces together as well as put the full picture together by using the models. Amazing job!
The combination of live footage with computer generated images of what the buildings and environment looked like in their prime is well done! The bird-sound in your clapping came through on my computer's speakers just fine. I've learned a lot from this video, look forward to watching more of your content.
Wonderful. I visited in 1964. Wish I had had you by my side. Clear, thorough, beautifully made. Thank you.
If history were taught the way that you do your videos it would be the most popular subject in schools all over the world. How did you become interested in history? I wish that my dad were still alive because he would’ve loved these videos. He taught my sibs and me to love history too. There are no other history/travel videos that even come close to yours in terms of the visuals and the depth and breadth of the history and culture of the places that you visit.
I traveled there and my mind was blown when my guide said only around 10% of the city is uncovered and that there are likely many lost cities in the wilderness that just haven’t been found yet.
There is an astounding amount of information in this video showing the amazing effort it must have taken to gather this information, create the models and put together this video. Thank you so much for making this video. It is an enormous help to people who want to visit this site.
Super docu. Why not more views? One of the best docus that I have watched on this topic. Please continueu making documentuaris. Greetings from Holland.
This was an incredible tour of the mayan ruins. I dreamed always of visiting them myself with my Dad!💯
The blood and bones of slaves built the great monuments from the pyramids to the stadium at Qatar. The greatest parts of humanity are in its kindnesses for which monuments do not exist...but in our hearts. Thanks for your world tour of these intriguing structures.
Fantastic narration of one of the best Mayan sites in Mexico. I look forward to watching the past and future videos!😊
Was waiting for you to cover this site, incredible! Please cover the Teotihuacán pyramids next!!
Thank you for the best explanation & demonstration of Chichen Itza. 🌼
Great Work. I was there in 1987, got there late and did not see much more than the ball court and el castillo, to the top then. I remember walking around in the evening light and noticing a pyramid completly overgrown and unrestored. I guess it was the Grandes mesas or Ossario. Anyway a fantastic look at the site with great information. Thank you.
What a terrific presentation! Beautifully rendered and articulated. I learned SO much! After seeing your work, I am so motivated to explore more and hopefully see this site someday. A million thanks Manuel!
one of the best videos on Chichen Itza - very well explained and illustrated.
In love with Mr. Bravo’s shows
I visited the site in 2019, it's glorious in person. You feel so tiny in comparison to the larger structures. You're also able to walk around one side of a nearby cenote. Definitely worth going round with a tour guide. Really happy I got to see it with my own eyes! Note of caution: You will be bombarded by a lot of tenacious merchants trying to sell their souvenirs on the walks between structures, many of them selling the same stuff. I suggest you just work your way through them. You'll eventually find a few stalls where the merchants don't hound you, which also have more unique hand-made souvenirs such as wood+glass frames with Mayan inscriptions on, and obsidian glass-carved animals.
@kellypond9377
Жыл бұрын
I found the hundreds and hundreds of vendors were extremely annoying. They should be off site, outside the sacred areas. They create a very uncomfortable vibe, so it becomes more and more unpleasant as you walk around. Now, along the roadsides, there are numerous scammers who try to sell you useless entrance tickets, and sell nonexistent guide packages, do not stop at those places, it’s a cash grab. Now there are also many tolls on the roads to chicen itza, now conveniently overcharging you to drive there...Mexico has no plan to keep these sites sustainable. Go to other sites. You can not walk on any structures, just look. There are so many better sites to visit ruins, I would never go there again.
Totally awesome video! I've learnt so much more about this amazing place. My husband and I visited last month and it is one of the most unforgettable experiences of our lifetimes.
This is awesome. We were just there and this really sheds light on what the structures were--a deeper dive going beyond what a local tour guide gave us. Cheers!
Excellent video! Love how it shows the original colors, great quality!
Thank you for the marvelous tour. I visited in 2003, when you could still climb the pyramid, and still remembered many of these sites. The explanations still were very enlightening.
Manuel que videos tan buenos. Excelente trabajo con la recreación de los sitios
EXCELLENT ADVENTURE TO THIS ANCIENT CITY.💥
Thanks very much for doing this one in English Manuel!
Really thankful that you are here to educate us. I think you should submit this for documentary and or film awards. As I have noted previously there are even grander more ancient Maya Sites further south. I hope you will also educate us about those sites also.
I walked to the top, when you could still climb to the top. Those days are gone. What a bummer!
This is great! Thank you so much for making this and sharing!
This is the best documentary on this subject. I am grateful to have found your video. I also with others appreciate the work and time you have spent to create it. So much information about a lost society. Except for the sacrifices, I would have loved to have been there a thousand years ago. It's a fascinating subject. Thank you for your hard work Manuel.
Me encanta como recrea los espacios, con los colores y las probables situaciones de esos lugares. Bravo por ese contenido tan sorprendente
@Theoneandonlyr2
Жыл бұрын
He buscado documéntales que hablen de la parte superior y nadie lo hace. No se si el INAH tenga imágenes de los cuartos dedicados a diferentes deidades pero deberían. Entiendo que no esté permitido subir pero al menos que ellos graben video.
Best documentaries I’ve seen in a decade. I like you list the books you’ve read to prepare this. Very academic. Great graphics
I am very happy KZread recommended your this video when I searched for the acoustic phenomenon of Kukulcan. Incredible video, very informative, clear, beautiful visualisations and you covered so much ground. Thank you for putting so much effort into this! And answering your pinned q - haven't have the chance to visit Mexico yet, even though it's been on my mind since my childhood. I am a fan of anything pre-Columbian and I hope your incredible history and heritage are here to stay. So I guess I'd say that the whole country of Mexico is my favourite site for now :)
Your vlog is an excellent primer for understanding the meaning and relevance of these MAYAN structures 👍🙏😎
excellent videos and history telling you got there, mate. You deserved to be followed by more. Take care. thanks for touring us around.
LOVE your approach and thoroughness. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
Thank you for the tour. I really enjoyed your video. The video content and computer reconstructions were very professionally done and informative. The buildings were incredible, and I bet in its heyday was a sight to behold amongst the surrounding jungle. Keep up the great work. Looks like a wonderful place to visit and explore.
INCREDIBLE. Subscribing right now!
Absolutely breathtaking!! Incredible video! Thank you so much for the visuals, and all the information. I learned a lot. Truly brilliant what you have done here! Please never stop sharing your knowledge. Thank you!!
That was spectacular virtual tour . Thank you 🙏
Just visited. What an amazing place! Absolutely beautiful
@DaveMasters1121
Жыл бұрын
I must add that pics don't do it justice. You have to be there to see the true majesty of all the structures
@Flowku
7 ай бұрын
What was your biggest takeaway or what made you marvel the most if you don’t mind me asking. English is my 3rd language sorry lol
@DaveMasters1121
7 ай бұрын
@@Flowku el Castillo for sure
@alexmolochnikov1034
4 ай бұрын
Flowku - I was amazed by the unique acoustic effects of the ball court that the video unfortunately makes no mention of.
Very well done. Extremely comprehensive and clearly explained.
You did an outstanding job. I feel like I was there. Anything else I say would just be repeating something that somebody else has but it was fascinating.
Thank you! Very well done with a wealth of information that is easily understood and enjoyed. I learned a lot! Muchas gracias!
Gracias!!! ¡¡Las imágenes de simulación de cómo eran los espacios son increíbles!!
The recreation of the structure shown in the video at 25:51 has characters that he refers to as long nose, but they look elephant trunks and the also have tusks at the sides. The likeness is uncanny. Is it possible that a species of Mammoth or Elephant still existed at the time?
Thank you for making that kind of videos, they are all excelent job. Congratulatoon. Keep your job up. GRACIAS GRACIAS
The interesting part about the clapping is that when you clap in front of a specific area of the pyramid in Teotihucan, you get the same sound as in Chichenitza
We are visiting Chichen Itza in 2 weeks. Thank you for this video! It’s the best and most informative I’ve seen.
Me maravilla este documental! Exelente es poco. Nunca había leído o escuchado sobre los colores q usaban en los edificios.un placer seguir su canal
An excellent tour, informative but not too much information. Thanks Manuel!
Quality video, narration, and super educational. Thank you!!!!
When we where there we did not notice all those details, thank you Manuel!
Great video & excellent renderings - very informative. Yes - a very impressive site indeed! I visited many years ago and we were fortunate to be the first ones there that morning - amazing to see & experience up close!
I appreciate you showing us what it once looked like very impressive ❤
OUTSTANDING!
I thank God that I was there at one time, simply a majestic feeling and experience. Great video and excellent commentary. ♥🙏🏽
Como siempre un gran trabajo.
First time to see the broader picture, of how they all come together. Good work.
Thank you for your excellent work!
Beautiful detailed video.. 10/10. Subscribing all the way
Thank you for this informative documentary. I learned more in your documentary than during my visit in 2021. This visit was guided by two excellent guides, but the souvenir sellers who are everywhere harass you during your visit and prevent you from fully understanding what your guide is explaining to you. . The passage to see the secret cenote is a real ordeal, vendors on both sides of the path who yell at you and if you don't buy they follow you all the way there and back. The leaders of this place should not allow these seller directly on the site. Thanks again for this great documentary.
@lefachop5755
Жыл бұрын
I totally agree. I was just there a few days ago, and there are thousands of merchants everywhere. You cant find a shady spot to rest without being harassed constantly. Very distracting. Also, at $50 a person, to be constantly harassed by merchants, I'll never go back.
Omg thank you so much , I will visit Chichen Itza one day ❤🎉
Awesome and very informative video in details!
I wonder if we could reinstate a pyramid, monument, temple to its original glory in reality. Just one and dedicate it to the peoples/Gods/purposes that it originally had. I think that would be so awesome! Not to obliterate history, but to glorify it! You know, go all the way with it.
Great coverage of this wonderful place!
Great memories! I visited in the mid 80s. Back then we could climb the Castile. I remember the steps were very steep. Each tred was shorter than my foot so climbing up didn't feel either natural nor secure. The temple at the top was dark and hot. The light was blinding and the air felt so cool when you stepped out into the open air. Going back down was tricky. I eventually went down backward while bent toward the steps. I don't remember which but either the back or side of the Castile had a rope in the middle of the stairway for safety. I have mixed emotions about not being able to climb it any longer. I understand why but the experience of looking down from that great height and getting a sense of the overall site is wonderful. ❤
Freaking fantastic job mi hermano!!
I knew that voice! Manuel was our tour guide for a tour of Coba that ended with a play in a cenote we never expected. What a trip! Thanks for that Manuel! Glad to see you alive and well.
@ManuelBravo
3 ай бұрын
No I wasn’t lol
@bobbalcom2658
3 ай бұрын
@@ManuelBravoWe took a trip to Coba in 2010 and your voice sounds exactly like our tour guide on the video I took of the tour. My mistake. Sorry
Love the video! I was just there 4 days ago it’s beautiful
Thank you for the guide! Going to see this tomorrow.
I have been there twice. The first time, we had a guided tour. It was very hot and windy, over 40°C, and right after the tour I had to go into the restaurant to rehydrate. The second time we stayed for the night time display with multicolored lighting. It was very interesting.
Most info I ever got out of all the many many Maya and all their pyramids and "stuff" documatiries !!! A +
Enjoyed your video! We were in Chichen Itza two days ago. It is a fascinating place to visit. The Mayan dancers at lunch were incredible.
Exsquisite tour , such a complete view of everything there. I would love to go to the other Maya ruins in Belize asI would love to climb the stairs and see the great views. Thanks for this tour awesome video.
Enjoyed your research!
Love from India ❤❤ ❤
I had homework for this video and i was sad but honestly the editing is very very nice and its really cool
Thank you so much! This was fascinating!
Fascinating !!!
Excellent lesson! Thank you Manuel
This is Amazing. Thank you so much. I want to visit this area so badly.
Excellent presentation, I loved the representation of the finished product. We saw this ten years ago. It’s a have to see in Mexico.
It really does make the sky feel close. That’s so cool!
I just discovered your channel a few hours ago and I'm addicted already. Will you make videos on ancient Greek ruins someday? That would be awesome.
@alfredobarragan2788
Жыл бұрын
Fun fact the Mayans are considered the Greeks of the new world
Just found your channel and I am now hooked 😅
This video was nicely done. Wel done!
Went there in 2019 beautiful!!
Felicidades por este increíble video