All language subtitles for Ancient.Superstructures.S03E04.Chichen.Itza.1080p.NOW.WEB-DL.AAC2.0.H.264-RAWR_track3_[eng]

NARRATOR: Chichen Itza,

one of Mexico's
main historic sites

is the sacred city
of the ancient Maya civilisation.

is the sacred city
of the ancient Maya civilisation.

- It's the centre of the world,
the universe!

NARRATOR:
Precisely constructed monuments

with thousands of
colourfully sculpted decorations

with thousands of
colourfully sculpted decorations

make these remains unique.

- I think there's nowhere like it
in today's world!

- I think there's nowhere like it
in today's world!

- They mastered not only
the beauty in architecture

but the practical side of it,

it's very impressive!

it's very impressive!

NARRATOR: Over 800 years ago,

the builders of Chichen Itza,
masters of geometry and astronomy,

the builders of Chichen Itza,
masters of geometry and astronomy,

created a whole new
architectural style.

- There's a shadow effect,
it looks like the body of a snake!

NARRATOR:
These mysterious structures

are marked by a little-known history

and hide the secrets
of an elaborate religion.

and hide the secrets
of an elaborate religion.

- Each of these elements tells us
what the Maya worldview was

and how they understood time.

NARRATOR: How did the Maya
design such a large city

with such refined decorations?

Who were the priest
and warrior architects

behind the splendour and magic
of Chichen Itza?

- Inside, there is a solid block
with a small spiral staircase.

- Inside, there is a solid block
with a small spiral staircase.

- I don't believe in coincidence.

If they built it there,
it was because they knew something!

NARRATOR: With the latest technology
used by archaeologists,

we'll X-ray these bodies of stone,

we'll X-ray these bodies of stone,

revealing their hidden structures

and the genius of the builders

who created
the mystic city of the Maya!

who created
the mystic city of the Maya!

An unusual atmosphere reigns
in this Central American forest.

An unusual atmosphere reigns
in this Central American forest.

These imposing stone constructions
seem to cast a spell...

..and take you back in time.

- You feel an energy
that's hard to describe.

I've been to places
that scared me a bit

I've been to places
that scared me a bit

and, well, sometimes
I leave offerings for protection

because yes, it's a bit intense!

NARRATOR: The impressive,
enigmatic remains of Chichen Itza

are a portal to
the mysterious Maya civilisation...

are a portal to
the mysterious Maya civilisation...

..one of the most
technically advanced

but also most mystical civilisations
in this part of the world.

but also most mystical civilisations
in this part of the world.

This immense archaeological site
covers almost 20 square kilometres.

This immense archaeological site
covers almost 20 square kilometres.

Located in Mexico's
Yucatan Peninsula,

Chichen Itza developed

in the northeast
of the ancient Maya territory

in the northeast
of the ancient Maya territory

in Central America.

The centre of the city
is littered with unusual monuments

thousands of years old.

thousands of years old.

The Temple of the Warriors
and its hundreds of columns,

the Caracol with its circular shape,

a first in Maya architecture,

a first in Maya architecture,

or the Castillo,

a pyramidal temple
and centre of the whole city.

The main superstructures

were built on
a 240,000 square metre esplanade

three times the size of Paris'
Place de la Concorde.

- These areas,
like any other town here,

were the seat of political,
economic and religious institutions.

were the seat of political,
economic and religious institutions.

But there's also
the countryside beyond,

where there were
smaller communities,

small huts where families lived

and where most of the food
consumed by the city was produced.

- The monuments are very large.

Massive amounts of work, energy

Massive amounts of work, energy

and materials
were needed to create them.

It's an extremely important site
for Maya culture.

It's an extremely important site
for Maya culture.

NARRATOR:
In the 11th and 12th centuries AD,

NARRATOR:
In the 11th and 12th centuries AD,

tens of thousands of inhabitants
made Chichen Itza an urban centre

in the heart of the forest,

the political and economic capital
of the Yucatan region

the political and economic capital
of the Yucatan region

with a wide
spiritual and cultural influence.

- We know that from a long time ago

- We know that from a long time ago

people would come
from different places,

distant places
all the way to South America.

distant places
all the way to South America.

So, imagine in Mesoamerica

the importance that place have
for people doing peregrinations

and all these trips.

and all these trips.

- This is a very different site
from the others.

It stands out, of course,
because of its vast size

It stands out, of course,
because of its vast size

and there are buildings
you don't see on Maya territory

from other eras.

NARRATOR: Why was this city
so important and so special

to the Maya?

Was there another reason to create
this unique architectural site?

Was there another reason to create
this unique architectural site?

Here, unlike other Maya cities,

the inhabitants
left no written historical record.

the inhabitants
left no written historical record.

Archaeologists
must dissect the remains

to unlock the secrets
of Chichen Itza.

The Castillo,

so named by the 16th century
Spanish conquistadors,

so named by the 16th century
Spanish conquistadors,

is the builders'
most impressive legacy.

This nine-level pyramid
and its temple

This nine-level pyramid
and its temple

reach a height of 30 metres.

With a base
55 and a half metres square,

it stands out
for its balanced proportions

it stands out
for its balanced proportions

and symmetrical shape.

It's not the tallest
Maya construction

but the recently restored pyramid
is now popularly considered

one of
the Seven Wonders of the World.

Since its 19th century rediscovery,

the Temple of Kukulkan is, however,

the Temple of Kukulkan is, however,

not the Chichen Itza structure
which most intrigues archaeologists.

The building that has long puzzled
them the most is the Caracol,

Spanish for snail.

- The Caracol structure
is an unusual building.

First of all, it has a round roof,

First of all, it has a round roof,

which is unusual in the Maya area.

It's a round building.

And also because you can see
different parts of the sky.

And also because you can see
different parts of the sky.

NARRATOR: Set on
a large rectangular terrace,

this circular building
is even more surprising inside

this circular building
is even more surprising inside

as Marco Santos Ramirez,

the archaeological site's director
explains...

- The inside is a solid block

with a small spiral staircase
to the upper part

with a small spiral staircase
to the upper part

formed from a type of vault
built by the Maya

which made tall structures possible.

NARRATOR:
In the middle of the platform,

the 11-metre-diameter tower
encloses two circular rooms

the 11-metre-diameter tower
encloses two circular rooms

around a central core.

This core was the base
for a staircase

This core was the base
for a staircase

built out of the stone

to reach
another small vaulted chamber

now gone.

The tower's four entrances
face the four points of the compass

The tower's four entrances
face the four points of the compass

but slightly offset

so that the structure
precisely aligns with the sun

so that the structure
precisely aligns with the sun

at the summer and winter solstices.

- There's a series
of doors and windows

- There's a series
of doors and windows

through which
you can see the horizon.

If the evening sun
comes through here

and forms a line of light

and forms a line of light

it means it's the summer solstice.

NARRATOR: The key element
of this complex architecture

is the Maya arch.

- This is the Maya arch

built out from these large walls.

That's where the axial forces
are directed

That's where the axial forces
are directed

and that's what makes it possible
to reach great heights

and then bring them together!

NARRATOR: The Maya arch
is an ancestral technique

in which blocks of stone
are stacked in a staggered way

to bring them
progressively closer together

to bring them
progressively closer together

above the walls

and form
these large triangular vaults.

Weight is then transferred
vertically to the ground

Weight is then transferred
vertically to the ground

without pushing outwards.

This technique
gives high but narrow rooms,

This technique
gives high but narrow rooms,

meaning the walls
have to be very thick.

- These other blocks
gave stability to the walls here.

- These other blocks
gave stability to the walls here.

So, with this type of architecture,

they would create
this great building,

one of the most recognisable
in Chichen Itza.

one of the most recognisable
in Chichen Itza.

NARRATOR: Built through the wall
just above the vaults,

NARRATOR: Built through the wall
just above the vaults,

the spiral staircase went up to
a floor where windows were cut

to observe the planet Venus...

..for this mysterious
round structure

built to align with
the course of stars and planets

built to align with
the course of stars and planets

is much like
an astronomical observatory.

From the Caracol,

From the Caracol,

the Maya had a 360-degree view
of the movement of the sun,

the moon, Venus

and a whole series
of constellations.

and a whole series
of constellations.

The builders of Chichen Itza
were experienced astronomers,

certainly the most advanced
of their time.

certainly the most advanced
of their time.

- It's incredible to see
how the ancient Maya designed,

perfected and built a building
over a thousand years ago

perfected and built a building
over a thousand years ago

that's very similar
to today's observatories

with the same features.

with the same features.

- Astronomy
is one of the first sciences

that was dominated by the Mayas,

not only for the calendar

but also in a way
of laying out their cities.

For a long time,

the Mayas were called
the skywatchers culture

the Mayas were called
the skywatchers culture

because they were so knowledgeable
about the universe

that they were able
to place structures

exactly with the alignment
of the stars

exactly with the alignment
of the stars

and the planets
that they really wanted

and that's amazing!

NARRATOR: Thanks to their
meticulous observation of the sky

and mathematical skills,

and mathematical skills,

the Maya were able
to accurately measure time.

They used several calendars,

all interconnected,

all interconnected,

and with some similarities
to our own system of time.

The beginning of time,

the Maya zero,

corresponds to
the 11th of August 3113 BC.

corresponds to
the 11th of August 3113 BC.

With each cycle
lasting 5,125 years,

With each cycle
lasting 5,125 years,

the first one ended
on the 21st of December 2012.

The Maya also counted the days
in a solar year

The Maya also counted the days
in a solar year

using a 365-day calendar
similar to our own.

Finally, they used
the sacred calendar

common to all the civilisations
of pre-Hispanic Central America

common to all the civilisations
of pre-Hispanic Central America

which counted
13 months of 20 days each.

This 365-day division of time

This 365-day division of time

is inscribed
in Chichen Itza's stone.

The Castillo is like
an open-air ephemeris,

a book of astronomical charts.

a book of astronomical charts.

There are 365 steps,

91
on each of the four side staircases

plus the last step
to enter the temple...

plus the last step
to enter the temple...

..and 52 decorative panels
on the pyramid's four sides

marking the conjunction
of the sacred and solar calendars

marking the conjunction
of the sacred and solar calendars

exactly every 52 years.

- So, there are many
symbolic numbers like that

spread throughout the architecture
and the decoration of the building

which makes it
a very special construction

which makes it
a very special construction

and extremely symbolic
of the Maya concept of time!

NARRATOR: All of
the architecture of the Castillo

is determined by astronomy.

Another example is how builders
moved the pyramid's north face

some 15 degrees to the east.

Twice a year,
in September and March,

Twice a year,
in September and March,

this precise alignment
produces an impressive effect.

- El Castillo
is not only a beautiful structure,

it's also an equinox marker.

You know that,
at certain times of the year,

You know that,
at certain times of the year,

it's so well-planned
and so well-designed

that the staircases,
that they have snakes around...

that the staircases,
that they have snakes around...

You can see, actually,
the sun moving

and it's
a very impressive visual effect

to see how this snake comes down.

to see how this snake comes down.

- I imagine that
when it was being built

they made a model

to work out mathematical alignment
of the temple

to work out mathematical alignment
of the temple

to achieve this effect.

It's a shadow effect

which seems to mimic
the body of a snake.

which seems to mimic
the body of a snake.

NARRATOR: This snake is Kukulkan,

NARRATOR: This snake is Kukulkan,

the feathered serpent god.

- At certain times of the year
the god Kukulkan would descend.

- At certain times of the year
the god Kukulkan would descend.

He would come down the Castillo
all the way down to the ground.

- Imagine that effect
in the Maya society at that time.

- Imagine that effect
in the Maya society at that time.

It must have been impressive!

NARRATOR: Today,

NARRATOR: Today,

this play of light and shadow
is watched by crowds of tourists.

More than 800 years ago,

this effect conferred immense power
on the priests of Chichen Itza.

this effect conferred immense power
on the priests of Chichen Itza.

Thought to be masters of time

and able to communicate
with the gods,

the priests looked down
from the pyramid temple

the priests looked down
from the pyramid temple

on ceremonies
attended by tens of thousands

to the glory of Kukulkan.

The god of resurrection
and reincarnation,

his return
heralds the end of the world.

Kukulkan is a major divinity
in Maya mythology,

although his cult took hold late,

around the year 1000.

The builders of Chichen Itza

used their knowledge
of astronomy and mathematics

to measure time
and determine agricultural seasons

to measure time
and determine agricultural seasons

both to honour Kukulkan

and to organise sacred rituals
reserved for the bravest warriors.

Very close to the Castillo
is a structure

typical of the Maya civilisation,

a ball court.

- In Mesoamerica,

a ball court always takes the form
of two long parallel structures

marking out a central playing area.

NARRATOR:
The rules of this game aren't known

though it wasn't a sport
as we know it,

rather a bloody confrontation

which ended with the losing team
being sacrificed

which ended with the losing team
being sacrificed

in the centre of the arena.

- We call it a game

but in reality
it was a ritual practice!

but in reality
it was a ritual practice!

NARRATOR: For the Maya,

this religious ritual
symbolised the daily battle

between day and night,
life and death.

between day and night,
life and death.

Two teams of warriors
faced each other

using a ball made of rubber
symbolising the sun.

using a ball made of rubber
symbolising the sun.

- There are rings
attached to the side walls...

And one aspect of the game

And one aspect of the game

was to pass the ball
through these rings.

NARRATOR: These rings are special,

as are the dimensions
of the Chichen Itza site.

as are the dimensions
of the Chichen Itza site.

Chichen Itza's ball court
is 168 metres long

Chichen Itza's ball court
is 168 metres long

and 79 metres wide,

roughly the size of
a modern football stadium.

The elite watched from the temples
to the north and south

while the public stood on the two
eight-metre-high side platforms.

while the public stood on the two
eight-metre-high side platforms.

The last temple
on the eastern platform

was occupied by the priests,

its entrance framed
by two enormous columns

its entrance framed
by two enormous columns

each with an effigy
of the feathered serpent god.

- The ball court at Chichen Itza
is unique in terms of its size

and scale,

which is virtually unrivalled
in the Maya area.

- They mastered
not only the beauty in architecture

but the practical side of it,

it's very impressive!

NARRATOR: An arena of this size,

designed for several hundred
spectators,

needed considerable stonework.

needed considerable stonework.

The base of the two stepped walls
is around ten metres wide.

Beneath the carvings,

the filling is made of
crushed stone, earth and mortar,

the filling is made of
crushed stone, earth and mortar,

just like the walls
of a medieval fortress.

These two massive galleries
stretch over 95 metres in length.

These two massive galleries
stretch over 95 metres in length.

Most of the quarries
at Chichen Itza have disappeared

but one has been identified
deep in the forest

but one has been identified
deep in the forest

which provided limestone
for the ball game site.

- We know that the Maya
quarried stone blocks

and limestone powder here...

and limestone powder here...

..also known in the region
as sascab.

NARRATOR: Powdered limestone,
which the Maya call sascab,

is an essential material
for building.

- This sascab was used
to prepare mortar for stonework,

to make plasters
and prepare stucco.

to make plasters
and prepare stucco.

NARRATOR: The Maya covered
all structures with this plaster

NARRATOR: The Maya covered
all structures with this plaster

made from sascab,
water and quicklime.

This layer of stucco
gave the buildings a perfect finish

and colour

but above all
protected the stone from erosion

but above all
protected the stone from erosion

by making it waterproof.

In a tropical region
where the rainy season is intense

and hurricanes
can destroy everything

waterproofing is essential.

- In all the buildings
we found not just a single layer

but a succession of them.

The older the building, the more
layers were needed to maintain it.

The older the building, the more
layers were needed to maintain it.

NARRATOR: The builders needed to
put the different layers of stucco

NARRATOR: The builders needed to
put the different layers of stucco

on walls
eight metres from the ground.

Like builders everywhere,

the Maya used scaffolding

the Maya used scaffolding

made from tropical wood
and fixed with vines.

- What's special
about this scaffolding

is the vines that hold it together,

a species called soulbatche
in the Maya language.

As the vines dry,
they shrink and harden

the supports for the building.

the supports for the building.

It's very stable

and can take the weight of many men
and several blocks of limestone.

NARRATOR:
To make it even more stable,

the Maya built holes into the walls

so that scaffolding support
could be driven into the wall

so that scaffolding support
could be driven into the wall

along its entire length.

This gigantic enclosure

This gigantic enclosure

built using traditional
Maya masonry techniques

is also notable for the thousands
of bas-reliefs surrounding the site.

is also notable for the thousands
of bas-reliefs surrounding the site.

On closer inspection,

these ancient engravings
aren't all of the same standard.

these ancient engravings
aren't all of the same standard.

- The central scenes
seem to be better carved

than the ones on the side.

There must have been a master
who worked on the central panels

There must have been a master
who worked on the central panels

while his apprentices
worked on the side ones,

rather like
the great masters of painting.

NARRATOR: These refined frescoes

were carved
without the use of any metal tools.

- Limestone is a sedimentary stone

- Limestone is a sedimentary stone

that can be worked
with volcanic stones.

If you use a harder...

Like, let's say granite

or you use andesite

or you use andesite

or basalt

or any other tool that is harder

you can really carved and cut
in the shape you want.

NARRATOR: The Castillo
and adjacent ball court

were constructed at the start
of the city's golden age

from the year 1000 onwards.

from the year 1000 onwards.

A ritual confrontation
was held in the arena

probably every day

under the eyes
of the city's masters

under the eyes
of the city's masters

faithful to the god Kukulkan.

The Maya considered blood
a source of divine energy,

helping to fertilise the earth.

helping to fertilise the earth.

And at Chichen Itza,
human sacrifices were frequent.

On this large platform
carved with symbols of death,

On this large platform
carved with symbols of death,

the skulls of the tortured
were displayed for all to see.

But who were these builders,

followers of Kukulkan
and bloody sacrifices

followers of Kukulkan
and bloody sacrifices

and who were their masters?

Archaeologists have discovered
something about their identity

Archaeologists have discovered
something about their identity

thanks to a building

they have called
the Warriors' Temple.

These remains,

under restoration
after centuries of looting,

show an architecture
very untypical of the Maya region.

show an architecture
very untypical of the Maya region.

Located to the east of the Castillo,

the Temple of the Warriors

was one of the most imposing
complexes in Chichen Itza.

was one of the most imposing
complexes in Chichen Itza.

The structure consisted
of an 11-metre-high pyramidal base

38 metres on each side

topped by a building
with five vaulted rooms.

topped by a building
with five vaulted rooms.

A type of sculpture
called chacmool

stood in front of the entrance.

At the bottom
of the grand staircase,

At the bottom
of the grand staircase,

almost 200 columns
formed a long covered gallery

which extended
to the south and east.

Built at
the end of the 10th century,

it is one of
the most recent constructions

in Chichen Itza.

- We don't see these buildings today
as they once were

but as the colonnade
and the upper building

had a large frieze
from which a vault emerged

had a large frieze
from which a vault emerged

we know that the spaces
must have been very large.

NARRATOR:
These hundreds of round, square

NARRATOR:
These hundreds of round, square

and sometimes even curved columns

supported the stone ceilings
over the living spaces.

- Of course, it's hard to imagine
that it was covered

- Of course, it's hard to imagine
that it was covered

but there is evidence
that the ceilings weren't flat

and all the colonnades were vaulted,

So that might double
the height of the interior spaces.

So that might double
the height of the interior spaces.

NARRATOR: At the time
of the city's golden age,

NARRATOR: At the time
of the city's golden age,

this temple and covered gallery
close to the market

would have housed
a military and religious centre.

Chichen Itza
did not have great palaces

built by powerful lords.

The city seems to have been ruled
by a council of wise men

The city seems to have been ruled
by a council of wise men

perhaps governing
from the Temple of the Warriors.

Some of the columns
still bear carvings

describing where these leaders
came from.

describing where these leaders
came from.

- The name of
the Temple of Warriors

comes from the figures
depicted on the pillars.

comes from the figures
depicted on the pillars.

They're holding weapons
such as a propelling bow...

..a type of weapon
from central Mexico.

..a type of weapon
from central Mexico.

But now, seeing
each of these representations,

we know that
they're not all warriors.

Some of these figures are armed,
others are gods.

Some of these figures are armed,
others are gods.

NARRATOR: The weapons,
headdresses and breastplates

NARRATOR: The weapons,
headdresses and breastplates

engraved in the stone

have enabled archaeologists
to trace the builders

to 1,100 kilometres away...

..in Tula,

..in Tula,

the capital of the Toltec people.

In the heart of
this desert region of Mexico,

so-called master builders
left behind five-metre-high warriors

so-called master builders
left behind five-metre-high warriors

made of volcanic rock.

Giant figures equipped with
the same weapons,

headdresses and breastplates

as those
at the Temple of Chichen Itza.

Tula also boasts
a very special sculpture

Tula also boasts
a very special sculpture

used in sacrificial rituals

and similar to the one
found in Chichen Itza.

- This is one of the most beautiful
existing pieces

- This is one of the most beautiful
existing pieces

of chacmool sculpture.

It is the divine messenger,

through which men
pay homage to the gods

through which men
pay homage to the gods

with sacrifices and self-sacrifice.

At one time,

chacmool was thought
to have come from the Itzas,

the Maya of Northern Yucatan,

but it is in fact much older.

The chacmool
comes from Toltec culture,

meaning that the chacmool
of Chichen Itza

originated with the Toltecs

originated with the Toltecs

and the importance of the chacmool

is no longer solely rooted
with the Toltecs.

NARRATOR:
The former vestibule of Pyramid B

NARRATOR:
The former vestibule of Pyramid B

confirms the influence
of the Toltecs

with its columns
decorated and assembled

in the same way
as those in the Maya city.

in the same way
as those in the Maya city.

- The blocks in this square pillar
have a hole in the middle

and also a spike
so that they fit together.

It's quite impressive
from an architectural point of view.

NARRATOR: On closer inspection,

the sculptures at Tula
tell part of the Chichen Itza story.

the sculptures at Tula
tell part of the Chichen Itza story.

- What's interesting
about this character

is that he has a glyph
on top of his head.

is that he has a glyph
on top of his head.

Here, you can also see his face.
He has a beard.

He is wearing
a feathered snake helmet

He is wearing
a feathered snake helmet

and the glyph at the top
is also a feathered snake.

So, this glyph probably tells us
that this figure is Quetzalcoatl.

So, this glyph probably tells us
that this figure is Quetzalcoatl.

This is a portrait

one of the most important rulers
of Tula.

NARRATOR: The powerful Toltec ruler
and warrior, Quetzalcoatl,

is said to have seized Chichen Itza
between 967 and 987

is said to have seized Chichen Itza
between 967 and 987

and the Yucatan Maya called him...

..Kukulkan!

He brought the cult of
the feathered serpent to the city,

He brought the cult of
the feathered serpent to the city,

which boomed under his impetus
from the year 1000 onwards

and saw
the construction of buildings

such as
the Temple of the Warriors.

such as
the Temple of the Warriors.

The temple shows the dominance
of the Toltecs over the Maya

after the classical era

but it's also a symbol of
the closeness of the two cultures.

but it's also a symbol of
the closeness of the two cultures.

The temple's sculptures
were all the more beautiful

The temple's sculptures
were all the more beautiful

for their vibrant colours.

- The site must have been striking
because it wasn't just painted,

- The site must have been striking
because it wasn't just painted,

all the surfaces were polished too,

which means the colours would have
really stood out in the sunlight.

I really think there's
nowhere like it in today's world.

NARRATOR: The colours
have been erased by time

and the weather

but the Temple of Warriors
was originally covered

but the Temple of Warriors
was originally covered

with an undercoat of white plaster

then decorated
in red, yellow and blue.

The reliefs on the outer columns
had a range of colours

and the inside walls
were painted from floor to ceiling.

The Temple of the Warriors
and the whole of Chichen Itza

shone brightly.

Today, Claudia Garcia Solis,

in charge of protecting
the remaining paintings,

in charge of protecting
the remaining paintings,

is analysing the pigments
that have survived the centuries.

- We can actually see
what it looked like.

- We can actually see
what it looked like.

These are blocks of stone

that have been coated
with a thin layer of stucco.

It was on this surface
they applied the colours,

It was on this surface
they applied the colours,

starting with red.

The decorations
were probably drawn first

to mark out the areas

to mark out the areas

that would later be painted
with different colours.

NARRATOR: These rare images
inside the Temple of the Warriors

NARRATOR: These rare images
inside the Temple of the Warriors

give us a glimpse of the artistry
of Chichen Itza's builders.

- Red was the basic colour
for large surfaces such as floors

but the decorations
and all the reliefs in the buildings

but the decorations
and all the reliefs in the buildings

were multi-coloured,

depending on the motifs depicted.

- There's a very wide colour palette
on the walls, pillars and columns

- There's a very wide colour palette
on the walls, pillars and columns

which still have
their stucco and decoration.

What's more,
there isn't just one green

but different shades of green.

but different shades of green.

There isn't just one red
but different shades of red.

NARRATOR: The colouring of buildings

was a key aspect
of Maya construction.

How did the builders produce
the millions of litres of paint

How did the builders produce
the millions of litres of paint

that covered
these colossal structures?

- In the Maya lands
we have blue and green...

..which are hybrids.

These hybrid colours
were the first man-made colours

These hybrid colours
were the first man-made colours

to exist.

For example, in Europe,

all pigments
were made from minerals

but here a synthetic colour
was produced for the first time,

but here a synthetic colour
was produced for the first time,

which says a lot
about the level of technology

available to the Maya
to make these colours.

NARRATOR: Luis May Ku, a painter,

NARRATOR: Luis May Ku, a painter,

has spent several years

investigating how
this synthetic paint was produced.

The ancestral recipe for Maya blue
had been lost over time...

The ancestral recipe for Maya blue
had been lost over time...

..but after a few experiments

this archaeology enthusiast
found the right ingredients.

this archaeology enthusiast
found the right ingredients.

- This plant in Mayan
is called Ch'oj,

- This plant in Mayan
is called Ch'oj,

native to this region

and a plant that was
on the verge of extinction

until I did some research
to find it.

until I did some research
to find it.

The ancient Maya
used it to make Maya blue.

NARRATOR: After leaving the plant
to infuse for 14 hours,

the water needs to be
patiently stirred to oxygenate it.

the water needs to be
patiently stirred to oxygenate it.

- Here is the final result

after extracting the ink
from the plant.

This is the dye
obtained from Ch'oj.

This is the dye
obtained from Ch'oj.

NARRATOR: The second
essential ingredient of Maya blue

NARRATOR: The second
essential ingredient of Maya blue

is a clay rock

found only within
a 50-kilometre radius

of Chichen Itza.

- The other element is this clay
called sak lu'um in Mayan.

- The other element is this clay
called sak lu'um in Mayan.

It's a type of clay
that holds colour.

If we in the Yucatan Peninsula
have this clay

as well as the Ch'oj plant

then
there's a very strong probability

that the Maya of Yucatan
were the first to create Maya blue.

NARRATOR: The synthetic colour
was finally obtained

NARRATOR: The synthetic colour
was finally obtained

by mixing the clay

with crystals
produced by fermenting the plant.

And to make sure
the paint would stick,

the Maya
added a final ingredient...

the Maya
added a final ingredient...

Honey or sap.

If a few drops of Maya blue
take so many hours of work,

If a few drops of Maya blue
take so many hours of work,

the large-scale production of paint

had to be based on
a quasi-industrial organisation.

had to be based on
a quasi-industrial organisation.

When they arrived at Chichen Itza,

the Toltec builders used
their own construction techniques

while drawing on Maya skills
for decoration and painting.

But in transforming the city

they also wiped out
hundreds of years of its history.

they also wiped out
hundreds of years of its history.

- This large terrace
is an artificial construction.

I mean, at Chichen,
everything was levelled over

so what we see is a filled platform
covering the ancient buildings.

so what we see is a filled platform
covering the ancient buildings.

This created a large square

where
the post-classical buildings are.

NARRATOR: This esplanade
surrounding the Castillo

serves as a foundation
for all the superstructures

built between the end of the 10th
and beginning of the 13th century.

built between the end of the 10th
and beginning of the 13th century.

By digging a trench
in the middle of this platform,

archaeologists
uncovered older ruins

archaeologists
uncovered older ruins

erected before the 9th century
and buried by the Toltecs.

It was an area
of 240,000 square metres

levelled with more than
two metres of stone and mortar.

A thick covering layer of plaster
made the terrace surface flat

and watertight.

- It was a project
that seems like madness

when you think about it now.

It's a testament
to the power that Chichen had,

It's a testament
to the power that Chichen had,

to its ability to mobilise
all the necessary manpower.

I mean, tons and tons of stone
had to be brought in,

I mean, tons and tons of stone
had to be brought in,

transported and laid out
over this entire area

and that's because
the leaders of Chichen,

whoever they were,

whoever they were,

had enough people at their disposal
to do that amount of work.

NARRATOR: With these earthworks,

the new masters of Chichen Itza
had created a huge ceremonial space

to welcome thousands of devotees
to the Kukulkan pyramid

to welcome thousands of devotees
to the Kukulkan pyramid

and around their sacrificial sites.

But it wasn't the Toltecs

who gave this sacred city
its mystical aura.

In the 1930s,

after exploring
the four vaulted rooms

of the temple at Castillo's summit,

archaeologists dig tunnels
into the pyramid's base.

archaeologists dig tunnels
into the pyramid's base.

They then discovered traces
of another building,

another pyramid smaller and older

another pyramid smaller and older

but which appears to have
the same shape and layout

as the current one.

- So, a first pyramid is built

and then this pyramid's
built on top of it.

It's literally covered over
by another, slightly larger pyramid.

It's literally covered over
by another, slightly larger pyramid.

This is an architectural practice
that's common with Mesoamerica

and the Maya.

and the Maya.

NARRATOR: A technique
which enabled the Toltecs

to build their own temple

to build their own temple

while saving
on raw materials and labour.

But it's not clear
who built the structure

buried beneath the Castillo.

buried beneath the Castillo.

For the Maya,

pyramids linked
the three dimensions of the cosmos.

The worlds of the dead,
living beings

The worlds of the dead,
living beings

and celestial divinities.

They're often
the burial place of a ruler

but here it's scientists that have
made a completely new discovery.

but here it's scientists that have
made a completely new discovery.

NARRATOR: It's 1500 kilometres
from Chichen Itza in Mexico City

that the Castillo's secrets
are being revealed.

that the Castillo's secrets
are being revealed.

Rene Chavez Segura
is not an archaeologist

but a geophysicist.

In 2015,

he used non-invasive
and non-destructive methods

to explore the body of the Castillo.

Placing hundreds of electrodes
all over the pyramid,

he bombarded the structure
with electrical impulses

to see through its casing.

to see through its casing.

- Well, here's what we see...

These are our electrodes

These are our electrodes

with the cables connected
to the measuring equipment

and this is the number of points
we obtained.

There are over 37,000 data points!

There are over 37,000 data points!

This is the model we came up with.

Here, we can see the external
structure of the pyramid...

..and these changes
clearly show the wall here.

NARRATOR:
Like with a medical MRI scan,

he can see the internal volumes
of the pyramid,

an examination which provided
some unexpected discoveries.

- We've known for a long time

that inside this pyramid
there‘s another pyramid

but we've also discovered

that inside this second pyramid
is a THIRD pyramid!

that inside this second pyramid
is a THIRD pyramid!

NARRATOR: This very first pyramid
buried inside the Castillo

NARRATOR: This very first pyramid
buried inside the Castillo

is some ten metres high.

It's thought to have been built
around the sixth century.

It was then covered
by a second structure,

a 20-metre-high pyramid
dating back to the 800s.

Then,
between the 11th and 12th centuries,

Toltec builders
constructed another shell,

giving the Castillo its final shape.

giving the Castillo its final shape.

Discovering these hidden pyramids

has rewritten
part of Chichen Itza's history.

Seven hundred years
before the city's golden age,

in the fifth century

early Maya colonists built a pyramid
beneath the Castillo.

The people known as the Itzas,

meaning the wizards of water,

built their first settlements
south of the Castillo

in the old district of Chichen.

in the old district of Chichen.

Buildings here have classical
sculpted ornamentation.

These 'wizards' settled
in the hostile Yucatan area

because of strange formations,

rock pools known as cenotes.

rock pools known as cenotes.

- The soil of the Yucatán peninsula
is made of limestone,

- The soil of the Yucatán peninsula
is made of limestone,

which is very porous.

Over millions of years,

water has seeped in
to create cavities.

These sinkholes are large wells
whose dome has collapsed

These sinkholes are large wells
whose dome has collapsed

and we call them cenotes.

- And it's one of the main
sources of water in northern Yucatan

- And it's one of the main
sources of water in northern Yucatan

as there are no rivers or lakes.

NARRATOR: Cenotes are essential
during the dry season

NARRATOR: Cenotes are essential
during the dry season

as the only access to fresh water
in this otherwise arid forest.

- Water was vital
for everyday life,

- Water was vital
for everyday life,

for agriculture, for survival

but also for building the monuments
we see today.

- Water is needed to make the mortar

and the limestone
also needs to be made wet

and the limestone
also needs to be made wet

during building...

..otherwise the blocks
absorb water from the mortar,

which weakens the structure.

which weakens the structure.

So, water is absolutely essential
not just for everyday living

but also for creating
monumental architecture.

but also for creating
monumental architecture.

NARRATOR:
In the centre of Chichen Itza,

the main natural wells
are the cenotes

the main natural wells
are the cenotes

called the Sacred and the Xtoloc.

The Castillo pyramid
lies directly on a north-south line

The Castillo pyramid
lies directly on a north-south line

formed by these two cenotes.

Around it are two more,

Around it are two more,

further to the east and west

and the Castillo sits at
the junction of them all.

- One of the main things
about the Castillo

is where it's placed.

That's what makes it
such an extraordinary building.

That's what makes it
such an extraordinary building.

It's a place that's symbolically
very significant

in terms of the Maya vision
of the universe.

in terms of the Maya vision
of the universe.

NARRATOR:
The position of the Castillo

is no coincidence.

The Itza saw the cenotes
as symbolic entrances

to the Maya underworld...

..the world of the dead.

- The cenote, or well,

was the entrance
to the sacred spaces

where the gods resided

to whom offerings had to be made
as thanks for all the gifts

they had given to mankind.

These offerings
could be human beings

These offerings
could be human beings

or objects made of gold or jade.

This is why the cenote
is considered a sacred place,

This is why the cenote
is considered a sacred place,

it's where the most important
rituals were performed

in honour of the gods
of the underworld.

NARRATOR: Geophysicist
Rene Chavez Segura

has recently found pivotal evidence

for the sacred positioning
of the Castillo

for the sacred positioning
of the Castillo

and the ingenuity of its builders.

He analysed thousands of electrical
measurements from the scan

He analysed thousands of electrical
measurements from the scan

and made another
remarkable discovery.

Beneath the two buried pyramids
and the foundation rock

Beneath the two buried pyramids
and the foundation rock

he found a cavity
with air and water,

meaning the Castillo
lies just above another cenote.

meaning the Castillo
lies just above another cenote.

- We found that the third pyramid,
as well as the second pyramid...

- We found that the third pyramid,
as well as the second pyramid...

..are centred on the cenote.

We expected to find
some kind of structure, a platform,

We expected to find
some kind of structure, a platform,

but we never thought there could be
a cavity of this nature

under the Kukulkan pyramid.

under the Kukulkan pyramid.

I don't believe in coincidence...

If they built it there, it was
because they knew something!

NARRATOR:
This chasm is 20 metres deep

NARRATOR:
This chasm is 20 metres deep

and 25 by 35 metres across.

The pyramid above it
sits on a layer of limestone

The pyramid above it
sits on a layer of limestone

only four to five metres thick.

- Being built like this
on top of a cavity,

- Being built like this
on top of a cavity,

the Castillo,
this artificial mountain,

actually brings together the vision
the Maya had of their universe.

The pyramid is a link between
its different levels.

The pyramid is a link between
its different levels.

NARRATOR: This stone mountain
demonstrates the builders' skills

NARRATOR: This stone mountain
demonstrates the builders' skills

in geometry, geology
and cave exploration.

By positioning their pyramid
at the centre of four cenotes

and directly above a fifth,

the Itza builders had constructed
the most saved and mystical temple

the Itza builders had constructed
the most saved and mystical temple

in Mesoamerica.

- For the ancient Maya,

- For the ancient Maya,

this space was the axis mundi,
the centre of the world.

It was a most sacred place

where the most important
ceremonies happened

where the most important
ceremonies happened

and where the forces
from below and above

came to communicate to the rulers

what should happen
in Maya daily life.

what should happen
in Maya daily life.

NARRATOR: Building Chichen Itza

needed countless thousands of tonnes
of materials

needed countless thousands of tonnes
of materials

and thousands of days
to construct and decorate

carried out by armies
of labourers and artisans.

carried out by armies
of labourers and artisans.

An unparalleled 700-year
work of art

in which each building
has its own sacred purpose.

in which each building
has its own sacred purpose.

But after 200 years of prosperity,

in the early 13th century
it was suddenly abandoned.

It was in Mayapan,

a hundred kilometres away,

that the city's fate was decided.

A small fortified town
strikingly similar to Chichen Itza,

A small fortified town
strikingly similar to Chichen Itza,

as with this structure
resembling the Caracol observatory.

- All the doors are oriented
to the cardinal points,

east, south, north and west, OK?

Every equinox,

Every equinox,

I mean, 21st of March,

22nd of September

when the sun rise,

the ray of the sun

cross from
the east door to the north door,

cross from
the east door to the north door,

making a perfect angle.

NARRATOR: Mayapan
was a satellite of Chichen Itza

NARRATOR: Mayapan
was a satellite of Chichen Itza

and for two centuries the two cities
formed a powerful military

and trading alliance.

- It's a mini Chichen Itza.

We are sure that
the Cocom family dynasty

from Chichen Itza,

from Chichen Itza,

when Chichen Itza decline in 1200,

they decide to be here

and they try to do almost the same
like in Chichen Itza.

and they try to do almost the same
like in Chichen Itza.

NARRATOR: Mayapan
has exactly the same pyramid

dedicated to Kukulkan

dedicated to Kukulkan

but half the size.

Its builders
failed to reach the same heights

as those at Chichen Itza.

- Those guys that built Mayapan,

they didn't use
a good quality of limestone.

They did it very fast.

They did it very fast, OK?

They just came from Chichen Itza

and they tried to do the city
very fast,

so they found stones,

so they found stones,

the closest part
but not a good quality.

NARRATOR: Its architecture may not
have been the equal of Chichen Itza

NARRATOR: Its architecture may not
have been the equal of Chichen Itza

but around 1220

Mayapan did manage to defeat
and take over its rival.

From then on,

From then on,

as power was transferred
to Mayapan,

the Toltecs and Itzas
deserted the sacred city.

But even after 600 years of neglect,

But even after 600 years of neglect,

this city founded by sorcerers
then taken over by warriors

has never lost its magnetism.

has never lost its magnetism.

- We are creative beings.

This is the meaning
of these monuments,

this cultural heritage
that brings us together

across cultures and civilisations!

across cultures and civilisations!

NARRATOR: At Chichen Itza,

the builders' knowledge of
engineering, geometry and astronomy

the builders' knowledge of
engineering, geometry and astronomy

created a city that continues
to exert its magic and mystery.

created a city that continues
to exert its magic and mystery.

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