Built near the year 1100 AD, El Castillo served the Mayas of Xichen Itza as a calendar. With 91 steps per staircase on each of its 4 sides, totaling 364 stairs and the platform on top illustrating the 365th day.
El Castillo - One of the "new" Seven Wonders of the World - Xichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico
While they no longer allow visitors to scale the great temple in the interest of preservation, inside, they have photographed many artifacts including jade-encrusted statues of Jaguar, carvings of Obsidian rock and a statue of Chaac Mool, the Mayan God of rain. Chaac Mool is found in three separate locations throughout the ruin site at Xichen Itza. These statues bear a tray on which the hearts and heads of victims of sacrifice were placed to be carried to the Gods.
