How many steps el castillo

The structure as a whole seems to be aligned with an important astronomical axis: The west plane of the pyramid faces the zenith passage sunset. Meanwhile, each of the four exceedingly steep stairways that climb the pyramid has 91 steps, with a final step at the top making a total of , the number of days in a solar year. Ninety-one is also the number of days that separate each of the four phases of the annual solar cycle: winter solstice , spring equinox, summer solstice, and fall equinox.

Using the patterns of light and shadow appearing on El Castillo throughout the year, the Maya could easily have tracked the seasons and marked these four annual solar events—the two solstices and two equinoxes. We're not sure how they tracked the day, but we think it would be a great topic for a Wonder Journey!

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We sent you SMS, for complete subscription please reply. Follow Twitter Instagram Facebook. How did the Mayas measure time? What is El Castillo? Wonder What's Next? Try It Out Remember to find an adult friend or family member before trying out these activities! Are you interested in learning more about how the Mayans measured time? Check out this information about the Maya Calendar System. Then, summarize what you learned for a friend or family member.

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Join the Discussion. Mar 21, Bensyn Mar 12, Like the MOST. Way to go Wonderopolis. Mar 13, GlowingDarknessIsWondering Mar 7, This Was Very Cool! There are two snake-head sculptures on either side of the north-facing staircase.

It is believed they represent the god Kukulcan. There are nine stepped levels on each side of the pyramid. These are divided by the staircase into 18 terraces. They represent the 18 months of the Mayan calendar. El Castillo was built around CE.