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Chichén Itzá: The Caracol
Located in
the Late Classic zone
of Chichén Itzá, the Caracol (Spanish for "snail" ) is
a round Early Postclassic tower placed on series of Late Classic platforms.
Within the 16.7 m-diameter tower was a spiral staircase (another meaning
of "caracol"), and four doorways aligned with the cardinal directions. The
upper observatory room had seven openings, some of which align with the equinoxes
and the southernmost transit of the planet Venus. The tower's round form
may be associated with the Mexican wind god Ehecatl, as well as the Postclassic
site patron Kukulcan. Beneath the Late Classic platforms are remains of
sweatbaths and other earlier structures.
.
[Fig.1: The Caracol at Chichén Itzá, viewed from the
north (photo: Athena Review).]
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