Ancient Pyramid of Chichén Itzá Explained

[@ManuelBravo]

What’s your favorite site in Mexico?

[@jeffjeff4477]

Great video!!! Are there any pictures of the cenote underneath the temple in Chitzen itza? I really enjoyed Tulum ruins But C Itza is truly amazing

[@edb8563]

Edzna. Been to over 12 sites and drove right past chichen itza. Good to avoid the crowds and learn through this video

[@cherryswirlchale9511]

My favorites are Teotihiacan and Chichen Itza. I am part Maya but grew up in California and first visited Chichen around 1981 with my grandma, chichi as we say in Maya. I have since gone back around 6 times or so.

[@theodoresmith5272]

Palenque. Teohunaca. Tolteca.

[@kellypond9377]

Palenque, Monte Alban, Xochicalco.

[@rwheellife]

In 1983 I visited Chichen Itza and climbed the 90+ stairs to the top structure and viewed out all four openings. It was more than amazing, I will never forget that day. Thank you for the ability to see it again.

[@markuse3472]

Were you able to to see the Statue of Liberty, just a little bit?

[@theodoresmith5272]

Yes they need to build a stairway up to the top and a platform people can stand at the top and take in the view. I've been when you could climb up and afterwards and it wasn't the same experience. Also having then traveled to several other Maya sites, itza is cool but not my favorite by any means.

[@TitusandTesla]

@@theodoresmith5272whats your favorite?

[@matthewwilcox4103]

One of the most breathtaking and interesting places I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting.

[@annebanda9797]

Me too. It's a bummer that I didn't pay enough attention now I have to watch videos to understand the place I visited

[@IeldudeI]

Guatemala ones are waaay better but I don’t know why people are attracted to these. Oh wait, I know.

[@JimmyGarcia-hh2og]

​@@IeldudeI You're pathetic!.

[@605guy]

We just returned home to the USA from Chichen Itza and this video helped put so many of the pieces together as well as put the full picture together by using the models. Amazing job!

[@irenewstberg3486]

Thank you so much for your expansive tour of Chichen Itza. I had the privilege of visiting this amazing place in 1970 when the possibilities of opening the area for tourism to raise money for further excavation, was being explored. At that time most of the area was still enveloped by the jungle and only one side of the main pyramid was excavated. It was exciting to explore with you the now exposed areas.

[@mariastoyanov999]

I do not understand why you don't have dozens of millions views and at least a few million followers. I haven't seen many documentaries that are better than your videos - visually and informatively. You deserve a lot more popularity but social media nowadays often popularizes mediocrity instead of pure genius like you

[@lindaa.9859]

Agrees it was so good!!!

[@kwal949]

Maria spitting facts here 👍

[@michaelquinn3382]

Could not of said it better!

[@josemeza7128]

And all this ladies and gentlemen are, just speculations, bcuz the Spanish never bothered to find out how exactly this society worked , as for human sacrifice I highly doubt that to be truth, simply because there are no cemeteries, they did however had capital punishment for those who broke the laws,

[@soren9310]

@@josemeza7128 That is not true. The Spanish did extensive studies into Maya culture, based specially on their contact with those Maya tribes, which still lived in cities like Copan. However, finding cities, abandoned centuries beforehand, they of course had trouble understanding what happened to the point, where they doubted that the predecessors of the classic Maya, who where still living in small villages scattered around the area of their once great cities, were actually related to them. As for human sacrifice: yes, the Maya did sacrifice humans and oh shock, even in great numbers at times (the time of the classical period's collapse comes to mind) and yes, they had many different methods of sacrificing which changed over time as well...heart extraction for instance, came relatively late..drowning, starving or simple beheading (gruesome stuff with an obsidian sword) were practiced...ever heard of 18 rabbits? He was sacrificed on his own altar in Tikal, after being defeated by his own vassal state...how do we know? Because the Maya have told us in their stone inscriptions! We know who build what, we know large portions of the history of the most important city states and we know a great deal about their societal organization...trying to depict the Maya as something, they simply weren't is dishonest and sorry, facts don't care about your feelings. PS: as for "cemeteries" at the foot of the great serpent pyramid in Tikal, did the Archaeologists find more than 20 skeletons of small children, all around 1 to 2 years old who were sacrificed by blunt force to the head/neck and than buried under the pyramid during the construction phase to bless this temple

[@sunnyshine762]

The quality of this video was amazing. The mixture of real footage with 3D renderings of how the buildings may have looked and the concise yet informative explanations made this video excellent. Keep up the good work!

[@williamwolf2844]

He's masterful at doing these things. So many people on KZbin have good videos, and probably more have terrible videos. But it's impressive how he is able to do a much better job than almost anybody else at this. I wish I had stumbled on his channel earlier.

[@artheaded1]

The combination of live footage with computer generated images of what the buildings and environment looked like in their prime is well done! The bird-sound in your clapping came through on my computer's speakers just fine. I've learned a lot from this video, look forward to watching more of your content.

[@tornikebaziashvili6104]

This documentary is world class. It is amazing how with much less resources this video is a discovery documentary level.

[@georgeallen7887]

Wonderful. I visited in 1964. Wish I had had you by my side. Clear, thorough, beautifully made. Thank you.

[@davidsciascia4654]

Wow, Manuel, this is an amazing and informative documentary. I've been to Chichén Itzá twice and it was wonderful to learn more from your video. I love your commentary and I love that you don't drown us in endless (or any) orchestral music that fills the videos from the Perspective Channel. It drives me crazy! I love that you use traditional Mayan music sparingly and let your commentary dominate. Gracias!

[@hartlecut]

I visited Chichén Itzá almost fifty years ago. That day, it was 41°C in the shade; it was very challenging to walk this huge site, and to climb a pyramid to get a perspective against the surrounding jungle. I was told that the long-nosed carvings were representations of the rain god Chaac - they're in many places all over the site. At that time, you could enter inside the main temple to see the red jaguar and nearby chac mool, but I don't know if this chamber under the pyramid is still open to the public. But it was the chac mool at the Temple of the Warriors however, that had a gaze that froze my blood. I'll always remember it, the amazing carvings, and the smell of the bat guano inside many of the structures. Bats were sacred to the Maya, and it seems fitting that they alone still live there. The culture of the Maya was/is so impressive and fascinating.

[@gabriel9116j]

It closed due to american tourist trashing the temples, at least that is what my native grandma told me

[@JimmyGarcia-hh2og]

American tourists???? WTF!?!!! U mean people from the united states'🇺🇸???!? MEXICO is America!!! Thee America!! Mexicans and there reservation brothers and sisters, are the real, and only!! North Americans!! The rest are immigrants,U.S. citizens 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 there's 27 continental American countries, the united states'🇺🇸 is just one of them!! White people come from Europe!! Black's from Africa 🌍 Asians from Asia!! 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇲🇽 North America complete!!♥️🔥

[@williamwolf2844]

​@@gabriel9116jYou are no longer able to climb on top of the pyramids in Mexico, in general. But it's not because of Americans or anybody else trashing or vandalizing anything. It's because archaeologists sensibly decided that having people climb on the pyramids was bad for two reasons. It damages the stairs through routine climbing. And it's also dangerous for people doing this, whether they are American, Mexican, or Siberian.

[@bholmes5490]

This is the best documentary on this subject. I am grateful to have found your video. I also with others appreciate the work and time you have spent to create it. So much information about a lost society. Except for the sacrifices, I would have loved to have been there a thousand years ago. It's a fascinating subject. Thank you for your hard work Manuel.

[@6ixthstage845]

This is awesome. We were just there and this really sheds light on what the structures were--a deeper dive going beyond what a local tour guide gave us. Cheers!

[@bweaverla]

There is an astounding amount of information in this video showing the amazing effort it must have taken to gather this information, create the models and put together this video. Thank you so much for making this video. It is an enormous help to people who want to visit this site.

[@Zeek800]

My wife and I visited the Mayan Riviera several years ago. We chose to tour Tulum and Coba mainly because the pyramid in Coba still permitted people to climb the stairs to the top. My wife and I walked up and took in the amazing view as well as a few pictures including one of me laying on the sacrificial platform. My understanding is that this pyramid is no longer open to be climbed so I am thrilled that I had that chance as I’ve always felt a connection to Ancient Mayan Civilization. My wife is of Tsymsen ( Tsimshian )descent and may have been the first of her people to climb that pyramid, something our guide found interesting.

[@salamander_moon]

Fantastic narration of one of the best Mayan sites in Mexico. I look forward to watching the past and future videos!😊

[@MitchGoldhvu]

one of the best videos on Chichen Itza - very well explained and illustrated.

[@devonzachariasmedia]

Was waiting for you to cover this site, incredible! Please cover the Teotihuacán pyramids next!!

[@rodolfoiglesias3288]

Me encanta como recrea los espacios, con los colores y las probables situaciones de esos lugares. Bravo por ese contenido tan sorprendente

[@Theoneandonlyr2]

He buscado documéntales que hablen de la parte superior y nadie lo hace. No se si el INAH tenga imágenes de los cuartos dedicados a diferentes deidades pero deberían. Entiendo que no esté permitido subir pero al menos que ellos graben video.

[@Peleski]

Thank you for the marvelous tour. I visited in 2003, when you could still climb the pyramid, and still remembered many of these sites. The explanations still were very enlightening.

[@kenseal]

Great Work. I was there in 1987, got there late and did not see much more than the ball court and el castillo, to the top then. I remember walking around in the evening light and noticing a pyramid completly overgrown and unrestored. I guess it was the Grandes mesas or Ossario. Anyway a fantastic look at the site with great information. Thank you.

[@josephpiskac2781]

Really thankful that you are here to educate us. I think you should submit this for documentary and or film awards. As I have noted previously there are even grander more ancient Maya Sites further south. I hope you will also educate us about those sites also.

[@88vincentvanmierlo]

Super docu. Why not more views? One of the best docus that I have watched on this topic. Please continueu making documentuaris. Greetings from Holland.

[@janiekcarney5482]

Best documentaries I’ve seen in a decade. I like you list the books you’ve read to prepare this. Very academic. Great graphics

[@daninaydenova7115]

I am very happy KZbin recommended your this video when I searched for the acoustic phenomenon of Kukulcan. Incredible video, very informative, clear, beautiful visualisations and you covered so much ground. Thank you for putting so much effort into this! And answering your pinned q - haven't have the chance to visit Mexico yet, even though it's been on my mind since my childhood. I am a fan of anything pre-Columbian and I hope your incredible history and heritage are here to stay. So I guess I'd say that the whole country of Mexico is my favourite site for now :)

[@bobbalcom2658]

I knew that voice! Manuel was our tour guide for a tour of Coba that ended with a play in a cenote we never expected. What a trip! Thanks for that Manuel! Glad to see you alive and well.

[@ManuelBravo]

No I wasn’t lol

[@bobbalcom2658]

@@ManuelBravoWe took a trip to Coba in 2010 and your voice sounds exactly like our tour guide on the video I took of the tour. My mistake. Sorry

[@PkFrBrad97]

I visited the site in 2019, it's glorious in person. You feel so tiny in comparison to the larger structures. You're also able to walk around one side of a nearby cenote. Definitely worth going round with a tour guide. Really happy I got to see it with my own eyes! Note of caution: You will be bombarded by a lot of tenacious merchants trying to sell their souvenirs on the walks between structures, many of them selling the same stuff. I suggest you just work your way through them. You'll eventually find a few stalls where the merchants don't hound you, which also have more unique hand-made souvenirs such as wood+glass frames with Mayan inscriptions on, and obsidian glass-carved animals.

[@kellypond9377]

I found the hundreds and hundreds of vendors were extremely annoying. They should be off site, outside the sacred areas. They create a very uncomfortable vibe, so it becomes more and more unpleasant as you walk around. Now, along the roadsides, there are numerous scammers who try to sell you useless entrance tickets, and sell nonexistent guide packages, do not stop at those places, it’s a cash grab. Now there are also many tolls on the roads to chicen itza, now conveniently overcharging you to drive there...Mexico has no plan to keep these sites sustainable. Go to other sites. You can not walk on any structures, just look. There are so many better sites to visit ruins, I would never go there again.

[@successthruknowledge]

This was an incredible tour of the mayan ruins. I dreamed always of visiting them myself with my Dad!💯

[@thantalus77]

In love with Mr. Bravo’s shows

[@robreeves9825]

Thanks very much for doing this one in English Manuel!

[@Travelsandmore333]

Manuel que videos tan buenos. Excelente trabajo con la recreación de los sitios

[@manashapost1218]

Excellent video! Love how it shows the original colors, great quality!

[@ReshmaRMoon]

Totally awesome video! I've learnt so much more about this amazing place. My husband and I visited last month and it is one of the most unforgettable experiences of our lifetimes.

[@borge2014]

Your videos belong on Netflix or alike, to reach millions and educate, and to give you the well deserved credit of producer, historian, archeologist, writer, presenter, of these world class productions on historical sites.

[@P4melaMasters]

Just visited. What an amazing place! Absolutely beautiful

[@P4melaMasters]

I must add that pics don't do it justice. You have to be there to see the true majesty of all the structures

[@Flowku]

What was your biggest takeaway or what made you marvel the most if you don’t mind me asking. English is my 3rd language sorry lol

[@P4melaMasters]

@@Flowku el Castillo for sure

[@alexmolochnikov1034]

Flowku - I was amazed by the unique acoustic effects of the ball court that the video unfortunately makes no mention of.

[@robertcsmith7773]

What a terrific presentation! Beautifully rendered and articulated. I learned SO much! After seeing your work, I am so motivated to explore more and hopefully see this site someday. A million thanks Manuel!

[@greghalliday2494]

Just found your videos on KZbin not long ago. They're awsum. Terrific explanations bring the historical and ancient sites to life. This video is no exception!

[@jimmyjames6973]

excellent videos and history telling you got there, mate. You deserved to be followed by more. Take care. thanks for touring us around.

[@jonasweber9408]

When we where there we did not notice all those details, thank you Manuel!

[@saraharn1541]

This is great! Thank you so much for making this and sharing!

[@2000Stronzino]

We are visiting Chichen Itza in 2 weeks. Thank you for this video! It’s the best and most informative I’ve seen.

[@nicksteinmeyer4411]

I was working on a school project on this site and this video gave so much insight. Its very well made. Thanks a billion!!!

[@bobalanadventures2024]

Enjoyed your video! We were in Chichen Itza two days ago. It is a fascinating place to visit. The Mayan dancers at lunch were incredible.

[@wehojm7320]

Your vlog is an excellent primer for understanding the meaning and relevance of these MAYAN structures 👍🙏😎

[@fredmunoz7350]

The recreation of the structure shown in the video at 25:51 has characters that he refers to as long nose, but they look elephant trunks and the also have tusks at the sides. The likeness is uncanny. Is it possible that a species of Mammoth or Elephant still existed at the time?

[@mikemorgan4670]

Very well done. Extremely comprehensive and clearly explained.

[@patriciaschkzamian7212]

Me maravilla este documental! Exelente es poco. Nunca había leído o escuchado sobre los colores q usaban en los edificios.un placer seguir su canal

[@JakeSweet]

LOVE your approach and thoroughness. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

[@lindahughes2289]

Most info I ever got out of all the many many Maya and all their pyramids and "stuff" documatiries !!! A +

[@contitati]

Gracias!!! ¡¡Las imágenes de simulación de cómo eran los espacios son increíbles!!

[@DeadPixel1105]

I just discovered your channel a few hours ago and I'm addicted already. Will you make videos on ancient Greek ruins someday? That would be awesome.

[@alfredobarragan2788]

Fun fact the Mayans are considered the Greeks of the new world

[@carpediem7654]

This documentary is absolutely incredible. I'm going to visit chichen itza soon and I'm so pumped.

[@wessnyder6345]

Thank you for this wonderful video. It was a joy to see the Mayan Temples as they did in the ancient times. I always loved Mexico and visiting all the historical sites. Once in the early 1970's, I was in Chichen Itza and a tour guide showed us a pile of carved stone collum's that he claimed came off the Venus Temple. Many were broken, but you could see that they had been made of various sizes. He said that it was believed they had been used as musical instruments and played by hitting them with some kind of hammer. He demonstrated it to us, and indeed, they made a musical sound. A few years later, upon another visit, the stone collum's were gone. Do you have any knowledge regarding this? I am elderly now, and sadly my traveling days are over. I would love to visit Mexico again! I see from your videos that there has been so much reconstruction to the Temples. How wonderful. I will continue to enjoy watching what you produce. You do a great job. Your American fan, Wes

[@1492chris]

Excellent informative tour of Chichen Itza.I've been going there since 1981 when the site was just guarded by a handful of men and you entered through a small gate the guard lifted with a rope. It cost dollar to enter and you had total freedom to climb any structure on the site. It was a magical experience and a wonderful place to be with total freedom to explore the ruins.

[@lizzdeluna3062]

Absolutely breathtaking!! Incredible video! Thank you so much for the visuals, and all the information. I learned a lot. Truly brilliant what you have done here! Please never stop sharing your knowledge. Thank you!!

[@carollido8742]

You did an outstanding job. I feel like I was there. Anything else I say would just be repeating something that somebody else has but it was fascinating.

[@nicksavage4763]

EXCELLENT ADVENTURE TO THIS ANCIENT CITY.💥

[@ArtBellJr]

Exsquisite tour , such a complete view of everything there. I would love to go to the other Maya ruins in Belize asI would love to climb the stairs and see the great views. Thanks for this tour awesome video.

[@alexanderexarchos9210]

Great video & excellent renderings - very informative. Yes - a very impressive site indeed! I visited many years ago and we were fortunate to be the first ones there that morning - amazing to see & experience up close!

[@RigiLiquid945]

I have been there twice. The first time, we had a guided tour. It was very hot and windy, over 40°C, and right after the tour I had to go into the restaurant to rehydrate. The second time we stayed for the night time display with multicolored lighting. It was very interesting.

[@helenfein6103]

Thank you for the tour. I really enjoyed your video. The video content and computer reconstructions were very professionally done and informative. The buildings were incredible, and I bet in its heyday was a sight to behold amongst the surrounding jungle. Keep up the great work. Looks like a wonderful place to visit and explore.

[@kathleenarmour9171]

I appreciate you showing us what it once looked like very impressive ❤

[@stevent4955]

That was spectacular virtual tour . Thank you 🙏

[@libertyblueskyes2564]

INCREDIBLE. Subscribing right now!

[@newcruiser]

The Temple of the Warriors 3d reconstruction looks fantastic !. One gets to understand that they were not primitive at all. Maybe more advanced regarding human values and spiritual ones than us nowadays. Excelent job man !

[@Edithlaflex]

Thanks!

[@ManuelBravo]

Thank you, Edith!

[@MrSupernova111]

Absolutely incredible what people, primitive by our standards, were able to accomplish. I have to visit someday. Thank you!

[@croftegan7993]

I slepped at the base of the columns in 1972 under a full moon and had a wonderfull sleep.

[@robertestroozasjr.2399]

Thank you! Very well done with a wealth of information that is easily understood and enjoyed. I learned a lot! Muchas gracias!

[@rigogonzalez7397]

Como siempre un gran trabajo.

[@rafaelmimendi3832]

Thank you for making that kind of videos, they are all excelent job. Congratulatoon. Keep your job up. GRACIAS GRACIAS

[@Rambone1957]

I loved the artistic renditions of how those buildings may have looked many years ago! If I ever hit the lottery a tour of those Mayan sites will be high on my list! I subscribed! good work!

[@kinglouie805socal]

Badass video Gracias!

[@TheNightWatcher1385]

I traveled there and my mind was blown when my guide said only around 10% of the city is uncovered and that there are likely many lost cities in the wilderness that just haven’t been found yet.

[@katherineweber8955]

Thank you so much! This was fascinating!

[@monicacall7532]

If history were taught the way that you do your videos it would be the most popular subject in schools all over the world. How did you become interested in history? I wish that my dad were still alive because he would’ve loved these videos. He taught my sibs and me to love history too. There are no other history/travel videos that even come close to yours in terms of the visuals and the depth and breadth of the history and culture of the places that you visit.

[@sunnylee9762]

Best Chichen Itza video ever

[@rebeccacorbin1590]

Great memories! I visited in the mid 80s. Back then we could climb the Castile. I remember the steps were very steep. Each tred was shorter than my foot so climbing up didn't feel either natural nor secure. The temple at the top was dark and hot. The light was blinding and the air felt so cool when you stepped out into the open air. Going back down was tricky. I eventually went down backward while bent toward the steps. I don't remember which but either the back or side of the Castile had a rope in the middle of the stairway for safety. I have mixed emotions about not being able to climb it any longer. I understand why but the experience of looking down from that great height and getting a sense of the overall site is wonderful. ❤

[@tonysanchez6250]

Love the video! I was just there 4 days ago it’s beautiful

[@marilynorpano9274]

Awesome and very informative video in details!

[@crystalbolander5575]

Great coverage of this wonderful place!

[@katheyjberry]

Thank you for your excellent work!

[@robd1329]

You look like the actor from Star Wars Andor series. This was an excellent upload!

[@Kindisbetter]

Excellent presentation, I loved the representation of the finished product. We saw this ten years ago. It’s a have to see in Mexico.

[@frankesposito2182]

Great video...I went once in 97 and went again thanks to you !!!

[@ManuelBravo]

I’m glad you’re revisiting the site through my video!

[@danielrsson2171]

I was there back in June 2021! Such a cool sight!

[@pretzel_dragon]

I just went to see it today. Very impressive site. We chose not to take a guide as we wanted to take in the experience in our own time. The video was very illuminating to contextualise what we just saw from the outside. It is one huge market site around the ruins, some of it is done with amazing craftsmanship but most of it is terrible tat. The rain at time was overwhelming but I don’t think I would have been able to enjoy the trip in the scorching heat. Despite being wet we didn’t feel cold but warm.

[@dimaua1830]

Thank you for the guide! Going to see this tomorrow.

[@OscarN-n6s]

The interesting part about the clapping is that when you clap in front of a specific area of the pyramid in Teotihucan, you get the same sound as in Chichenitza

[@kimgurlan3907]

OUTSTANDING!

[@JacobLatteras33]

Sorry I’m late to this, but where there any concrete, gravel, or dirt paths/flooring around this city? Or was it all grass and dirt like shown in the 3d renderings?

[@mortalclown3812]

The blood and bones of slaves built the great monuments from the pyramids to the stadium at Qatar. The greatest parts of humanity are in its kindnesses for which monuments do not exist...but in our hearts. Thanks for your world tour of these intriguing structures.

[@briannacery9939]

Enjoyed your research!

[@pamavery9352]

Sometime in the 80’s, my husband and I visited this beautiful area. We were allowed to climb the 90 steps to the top of the temple. There was spectacular views! I relish all the photographs we took of this trip. I remember the stairs were very shallow, and I had to place my feet sideways to climb! Easy going up, but scary going down! The path to the Sacred Cenote was barely cleared, no people selling wares and no protection at the edge. You could walk right up to the edge and look over! Stunning, to bad the area in so commercialized now!

[@Flowku]

Wow you are so lucky. My sibling went and they said it was soooo busy with tourist from all over the world. I guess it’s good that everyone gets to know about these amazing ancient civilizations but I secretly wished it was less known lol

[@genarolegorreta3418]

My first visit was in 1971 when Cancun opened as a tourist site. I was young but I remember the tour. This pyramid and the cenote were the featured sites.

[@elseby]

Really good stuff! Thank you! Do you think the grounds were all fields of grass? I would expect them to have wooden structures spread throughout. Maybe like marketplaces?

[@40MileDesertRat]

I walked to the top, when you could still climb to the top. Those days are gone. What a bummer!

[@peman56]

I had homework for this video and i was sad but honestly the editing is very very nice and its really cool

[@spice4thegumbo]

Quality video, narration, and super educational. Thank you!!!!