German tourist arrested for climbing Mayan Temple in Mexico

Mexican authorities arrested a 38-year-old German tourist for illegally climbing the Temple of Kukulkán at Chichén Itzá during the Spring Equinox.

The man was one of two visitors filmed climbing the pyramid on Thursday, as around 9,000 tourists gathered at the temple for the Spring Equinox, according to Mexico News Daily.

A National Guard member told the news outlet, “He eluded us, even though we’re keeping watch on the western side of the temple.”

He added, “He ran past us. He’s clearly in good physical condition.”

Officers from the Mexican National Guard and staff from the National Institute of Anthropology and History tried to protect the man from the crowd’s attacks. According to local media, angry bystanders yelled that he should be “sacrificed,” referencing the human sacrifices the ancient Mayans performed at the pyramid’s summit. In 2006, authorities made it illegal to climb the roughly 1000-year-old Mayan ruins.

Crowd laughs as German tourist climbs the temple

When the man got to the top of the pyramid, things got out of hand. Staff from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) took him down after he attempted to hide within the chamber at the summit, according to Evrim Ağacı. Onlookers expressed outrage over the occurrence, which also showed how deeply people respect the hallowed location.

The local authorities received the German guy, whose identity has not been disclosed. Under Mexico’s law safeguarding historical and archeological monuments, he might be subject to sanctions.

Significance of the temple ‘Kukulkán’

One of the most significant archeological sites of the ancient Maya civilization in Mexico is Chichén Itzá, home of the Temple of Kukulkán, commonly called El Castillo.

The feathered serpent god Kukulkán, a major character in Mayan mythology, is the object of devotion at the temple.

At roughly 79 feet (24 meters) tall, the pyramid has 91 steps on each of its four sides, for a total of 365 steps, which is equal to the number of days in a solar year. This illustrates how well the Mayans understood astronomy and building.

The temple’s alignment with the sun at the Spring and Fall Equinoxes is among its most striking aspects. On some occasions, the shadow cast by the lowering sun seems to snake its way down the pyramid’s steps like a serpent’s body.

The visual impact symbolizes Kukulkán’s descent from the heavens to the earth, representing the god’s strength and connection to both the natural and spiritual worlds.

Constructed during the ninth and twelfth centuries, the pyramid functioned as a hub for religious ceremonies, notably those dedicated to Kukulkán. The Mayans were able to monitor the sun, moon, and Venus because the temple served as an astronomical observatory.

The temple’s design reflects the complex understanding of the cosmos, as it was positioned to coincide with particular celestial phenomena.

The Temple of Kukulkán is now one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its architectural splendor, alignment with the skies, and strong ties to Mayan history and spirituality draw thousands of tourists there each year.

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