Original subtitles

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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