Dzibilchaltun facts for kids
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Temple of the Seven Dolls at Dzibilchaltun
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 Location in Mesoamerica
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| Location | Yucatán, Mexico |
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| Region | Yucatán |
| Coordinates | 21°5′27.60″N 89°35′25.08″W / 21.0910000°N 89.5903000°W |
| History | |
| Cultures | Maya civilization |
Dzibilchaltún (which sounds like Ts'íibil Cháaltun in Yucatec) is an ancient Maya city. It is an archaeological site in the Mexican state of Yucatán. You can find it about 10 miles (16 km) north of Mérida, the state capital.
Contents
Exploring Dzibilchaltún
This ancient city has been lived in for thousands of years. It grew into a big city and then shrank back to a small town many times. Dzibilchaltún is about a 30-minute drive north of Mérida. It is also about the same distance south of where the meteorite that killed the dinosaurs hit!
Why This Location?
Ancient builders likely chose this spot to be close to the coast. The coast was important for making salt. It is about 22 km (14 miles) away. The land around Dzibilchaltún was also good for living and farming. The area between the city and the sea was not as good for people. It had swamps or just bare rock.
Amazing Buildings
The most famous building here is the Temple of the Seven Dolls. It got its name because archaeologists found seven small statues inside it. They discovered these statues in the 1950s. The temple was hidden under the ruins of a newer pyramid.
The Temple's Special Day
On the first day of spring, called the equinox, many people visit the temple. They come to watch the sunrise through its doorways. However, there is no special marker showing where to stand. This makes it unlikely that the temple was built just for this event.
Ancient Roads
The Temple of the Seven Dolls is connected to other parts of the city by a sacbe. This is a "white road." These roads were built from stone and rubble. They were covered with white limestone, making them look bright.
Natural Wonders and History
Another important part of Dzibilchaltún is its cenote. A cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole filled with water. This one is called Cenote Xlakah. It is located near the center of the city's ruins.
The Cenote's Importance
Having clean drinking water from this cenote was very important. It probably helped the ancient Maya decide to build their city here. Divers have found many old items in the cenote. These findings suggest it was a special place for religious ceremonies. Today, locals and tourists enjoy swimming in the cenote all year round.
Discoveries in the Water
Like at Chichen Itza, many old things have been found in the cenote. These include carved bones, wooden objects, and many vases. These discoveries have taught us a lot about the ancient Maya people who lived nearby.
A Glimpse of Later History
Dzibilchaltún also has the ruins of a Spanish church. This church was built in the 1500s, after the Spanish arrived.
Visitor Information
The Dzibilchaltún archaeological site has a visitor center. Here you can find maps, restrooms, and gift shops. There is also a renovated museum on site. It holds many Maya artifacts. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Dzibilchaltún National Park
Dzibilchantún National Park was created in 1987. It covers an area of about 5.39 square kilometers (2 square miles). The National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) manages this park. The natural plants in this area are part of a dry forest.
See also
In Spanish: Dzibilchaltún (zona arqueológica) para niños
- List of Mesoamerican pyramids
- List of sinkholes of Mexico
