Response Paper

Term Paper Title	Response Paper
# of Words	771
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	3.08

Response Paper

     I recently had the opportunity to visit one of the most studied and splendid displays in architecture and art in Western Civilization; The Mayan Ruins in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. This opportunity came up rather suddenly and when I learned that I would be visiting Mexico, I knew this was one of the places I wanted to see.
     I have friends who have visited these ruins and spoke about their beauty as well as the challenge of climbing El Castillo of Pyramid of Kukulcan, the center of these ruins. I was drawn by this but also by the brilliance of the Mayan tribe in constructing this monumental pyramid along with their genius in mathematics and astrology.
     El Castillo will be the subject of this paper though this was not an easy decision. There are many beautiful and interesting sites among these ruins.
Initially, I wanted to see and climb this pyramid I had heard so much about. However, after doing some reading and listening to the guide, I realized there was much more to this structure than just something to photograph and climb.
     This pyramid was constructed sometime between 650 and 800 AD, though the exact time has been difficult to determine, by the Mayan Indians. Primarily constructed of limestone bricks held together with what we call today, stucco, this beautiful pyramid towers over the rest of the ruins. Approximately 30 meters tall, this pyramid was dedicated to the worship of a feathered snake god known to the Mayans as Kukulcan. The pyramid also represents the solar calendar developed by the Mayans.
This pyramid is perfectly symmetrical; each of the four stairways has ninety-one steps. When multiplied by four sides, or 91x4, the result is 364. The flat panel at the top of the pyramid represents the 365th day, or the number of days in a calendar year. The nine platforms of the base become eighteen if considered divided in two by the stairways; the number of months in the year. Five ornaments originally located on each side of the temple represent the number of days in a month; 5x4=20.
Inside the large pyramid is actually another pyramid with similar iconography and base. The inner temple is two-chambered; the outer one housing the statue referred to as the messenger and the inner a beautiful red jaguar t...

This is ONLY a preview of the article. If you would like to view the entire document, you must subscribe to Digital Term Papers. Please register below now!

Digital Term Papers has over 63,000 essays, term papers, and book notes online. Many paper sites will charge you hundreds of dollars for a single paper. Digital Term Papers only charges $14.95 for a one month membership with instant account activation!

Don't waste anymore time! Join NOW!!!

Pay by: