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Dzibilchaltun – “A Place Where There is Writing on Stones”: Yucatan Peninsula Real Estate Investments
Tom Witek
Prudential Town Centre Realty
Last week , I have shared my journey itinerary leading from Mayan Riviera to the city of Merida , followed by a description of places visited within the city limits. This week, I would like to share my experience on one of the side-trips which I have made while staying in Merida . This was a my trip to Dzibilchaltun. Dzibilchaltun is located approximately 20 kilometres north of the city of Merida . This is a humongous place which spreads over 60 square kilometres in a pure jungle setting. According to historians, Dzibilchaltun was a part of administrative and ceremonial network which thrived from approx 300 B.C. until the beginning of "La Conquista". The excavated portion of the whole area incorporates a 300-meter ecological path which is a home to over hundred different species of birds, reptiles and plants. The plants have been scrutinised and meticulously labelled by famous botanists.
Another part of Dzibilchaltun incorporates "El Museo del Pueblo Maya" or the Museum of Mayan Society . The museum can be found by heading left right after passing the gates of the main entrance area. This site proudly displays carved columns from Dzibilchaltun and Mayan ceramics. The road leading to this section shows all-star gallery of Maya stelae with original sculptures from Chichen Itza and Uxamal. (Both sites will be discussed in the following weeks). As you enter the museum, you will be bombarded with several colourful and informative displays. In the main room of the museum, we expanded our knowledge about the Maya calendar and Pantheon. In this section we found a through explanation of the origins of the Maya calendar and the impact it had on the Mayan history. The second room in the museum is dedicated to show historical events surrounding the Spanish arrival and the bloody conquest which followed. The pictures presented here are very drastic in nature, not for the faint of heart, so-to-speak. Another interesting feature in this museum is a glass floor that reveals an under-the-sea display.
In the central axis of Dzibilchaltun, there is a path you can follow in two directions; called Sacbe No.1 which leads to a well preserved Temple of the Seven Dolls. The dolls found here are made of clay and are quite proportionate and bare a close resemblance to the real human form. One of the grand Mayan constructions, within the temple, shows a huge shadow mask of the rain god Chac. This event only occurs in two instances, at the time of the spring and autumn equinox and only when the sun's rays pierce the temple.
If you follow the path Sacbe No.1 in the other direction it will lead you to quadrangle, which in my view wass a grotesque abuse of Mayan people from the Spaniards; here, the Maya temple was converted into a Franciscan chapel of that era. To the east of this monstrosity we find the Xlacah cenote, characteristic for its oval shape, enveloped by a freshwater lagoon. It is quite interesting to know that this particular cenote served as a sacrificial place as well as source of water for the local Mayan people. Contracted divers have descended this forty-four meters deep cenote and have discovered many ceremonial artefacts and human bones. I took a dip in the waters of Xlacah and swam among the water lilies, erect daisies, and various species of fish. This was a truly wonderful experience, and I did not worry about the human bones underneath my feet. Exiting the cenote, a path to the south leads past a handful of smaller structures to the site's exit.
How to get to Dzibilchaltun from Merida :
Open at 5:30 a. m. during the equinox. Admission 50 pesos, parking 7 pesos)
Excellent Financing For Mexican Properties This property practically pays for itself.
Tomek W. Copyright
Article submitted Saturday, September 06, 2008
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