CH 62: Chichen Itza

After introducing themselves officially, Rodriguez took the group on a tour around the ancient city. Rodriguez tried to act like a professional guide:

- Chichen Itza was one of the largest Maya cities, and it was likely to have been one of the mythical great cities. The city may have had the most diverse population in the Maya world, a factor that could have contributed to the variety of architectural styles on the site.

- Why is it called Chichen Itza? It is kind of a strange name.

- The Maya name "Chichen Itza" means "At the mouth of the well of the Itza." This derives from chi', meaning "mouth" or "edge", and chʼen or chʼeʼen, meaning "well". Itzá is the name of an ethnic-lineage group that gained political and economic dominance of the northern peninsula. One possible translation for Itza is "enchanter (or enchantment) of the water," from its (itz), "sorcerer", and ha, "water. "

- How did you know all of that?

- It is written in the Chilam Balam books.