Pyramid of Kukulkan (El Castillo) located in Chichén Itzá, Yucatan. Pyramid of Kukulkan (El Castillo) located in Chichén Itzá, Yucatan Shadow effect creates illusion of serpent sliding down staircase lasting approximately 1 hour 10 minutes Effect occurs at approximately 4:15 p.m., not at sunrise or sunset
Chichén Itzá's Pyramid of Kukulkan creates a stunning serpent-shadow illusion during equinox. With 365 steps (one per day) and 9 terraces, it's a solar calendar in stone. Equinox visitors can witness up to 60,000 attendees gather for this spectacular light-and-shadow show!
Key Facts
- Pyramid of Kukulkan (El Castillo) located in Chichén Itzá, Yucatan
- Shadow effect creates illusion of serpent sliding down staircase lasting approximately 1 hour 10 minutes
- Effect occurs at approximately 4:15 p.m., not at sunrise or sunset
- Crowd attendance increased from approximately 200 people 12 years prior to approximately 60,000 visitors
- Pyramid features 365 steps depicting the solar year
- Structure contains 52 panels representing each year in the Mayan century
- Contains 18 terraces for 18 months in the Mayan religious year
- Four sides represent four seasons
- Recently discovered: full moon at equinox creates identical shadow effect as sun
- Moon mimics sun's path during the year
- Mixed Toltec and Mayan construction with cosmological symbolism
Related site: Chichén Itzá — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Introduction to Astro-Archaeology | Stuart Mason | Megalithomania 2007 Conference | Audio Only by MegalithomaniaUK