14 ANCIENT American Discoveries
- 7 years ago
From the famous Chichen Itza, to new discoveries at the historical Alamo, these are 14 ANCIENT American Discoveries ! \r
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8. El Tajin ( tahin) \r
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El Tajin is another site that can be found in Mexico. Not to be confused with the seasoning, it is one of the largest and most significant sites for the Classic Mesoamerican civilization. The strange part of this ruin is the abundance of unique architecture that can be found nowhere else in the entire Mesoamerican world. The site attrs 650,000 visitors a year and it also is the site of an annual cultural festival called the Cumbre Tajin Festival. Interestingly, the site ually has over 20 different ball courts. The site has been a protected World Heritage site since 1992.\r
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7. Uxmal [oos-mahl]\r
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Uxmal is another ancient Mayan city that resides in the list of most important Mayan cities along with Palenque and Chichen. The structures located at this site are often cited as the most important architectural example of that region and time. The most prominent feature of the location is the main pyramid called the pyramid of the magician. The location has been heavily restored to promote tourism as well.\r
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6. The Alamo\r
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The battle of the alamo was a deeply important event in Texas history and the site of the battle has become a monument to that battle. Given its importance to the American west and the formation of the Texas state, this not so ancient site has still become the subject of an archaeological excavation that is turning up some surprising finds. The excavations are taking place because of an effort to create a new plan for the historical site.\r
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5. Xochicalco (hoochi kal ko) \r
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Xochicalco is a unique city because it was formed by Mayans but because of its short distance from the Aztec capital there are heavy influences from both civilizations. In its heyday, this city would have been a melting pot of culture. As much as an ancient city could have been. The city was also a major trade destination due to its location. The city even has ancient tunnels beneath the city so that travel from one building to the next would have been made easier. The influence of the Aztec and Mayan cultures can be felt not only in the architecture but in the artwork throughout the ruin as well. The ruin houses three ball courts, several different pyramids, and sweat baths. There is also a wealth of art to be studied at the location with each piece of art having a noticeable blend of Mayan and Aztec influences.\r
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4. Coba ( ko ba)\r
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The Coba archaeological site is huge. That is not an exaggeration. The entire site area is 80 km or 50 miles. The site contains two lagoons and there are still 20,000 structures that remain unexcavated. The site sees little tourism because of its location. The location was estimated to have only 50,000 occupants at its peak. The first modern road to the site was opened in 1970 and it has made it somewhat easier to excavate. There are temples along with several different residential houses.\r
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3. Abo Ruins (ah bo)\r
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Abo is small pueblo ruin in New Mexico that sees steady tourism. The ruins date back to the 14th century and it was a major trade location at its peak. The ruins remain mostly unexcavated but, the site is protected as a National Historic landmark. It was added to the list in 1962. Abo is also the name used for a formation of red sandstone beds that are located near the ruins. There are tours that can be taken of the site and a guided hike through what was once the city.\r
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2. Chaco Culture National Historical Park (cha ko ) \r
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The Chaco culture national park that has the densest concentration of pueblos in the American Southwest. The park can be found in New Mexico. This location has the most sweeping ruins north of Mexico. The site was a source of culture for the Ancient Pueblo people. This location features 15 major buildings that were the largest constructs in the US until the 19th century. There is also evidence of archaeoastronomy in the area with a sun dagger that was used to measure the solstices and equinoxes. In addition, many of the building were built to measure the sun and moons cycles. The abandoning of the location was believed to be caused by climate change and a 50-year drought that began in 1130. The site isnt open to the public anymore because of the fear of degradation of the site.\r
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1.Chichén Itzá [chee-chen eet-sah, eet-suh]\r
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Chichén Itzá didnt get its spot on the eight wonders of the world list for nothing. Its one of the largest seats of the Mayan empire, located in Mexico. Its the most popular archaeological site in Mexico with more than 1.4 million visitors annually. Although the ruin lies in Northern Mexico, archaeologists have found architecture similar to the kind that can be f
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8. El Tajin ( tahin) \r
\r
El Tajin is another site that can be found in Mexico. Not to be confused with the seasoning, it is one of the largest and most significant sites for the Classic Mesoamerican civilization. The strange part of this ruin is the abundance of unique architecture that can be found nowhere else in the entire Mesoamerican world. The site attrs 650,000 visitors a year and it also is the site of an annual cultural festival called the Cumbre Tajin Festival. Interestingly, the site ually has over 20 different ball courts. The site has been a protected World Heritage site since 1992.\r
\r
7. Uxmal [oos-mahl]\r
\r
Uxmal is another ancient Mayan city that resides in the list of most important Mayan cities along with Palenque and Chichen. The structures located at this site are often cited as the most important architectural example of that region and time. The most prominent feature of the location is the main pyramid called the pyramid of the magician. The location has been heavily restored to promote tourism as well.\r
\r
6. The Alamo\r
\r
The battle of the alamo was a deeply important event in Texas history and the site of the battle has become a monument to that battle. Given its importance to the American west and the formation of the Texas state, this not so ancient site has still become the subject of an archaeological excavation that is turning up some surprising finds. The excavations are taking place because of an effort to create a new plan for the historical site.\r
\r
5. Xochicalco (hoochi kal ko) \r
\r
Xochicalco is a unique city because it was formed by Mayans but because of its short distance from the Aztec capital there are heavy influences from both civilizations. In its heyday, this city would have been a melting pot of culture. As much as an ancient city could have been. The city was also a major trade destination due to its location. The city even has ancient tunnels beneath the city so that travel from one building to the next would have been made easier. The influence of the Aztec and Mayan cultures can be felt not only in the architecture but in the artwork throughout the ruin as well. The ruin houses three ball courts, several different pyramids, and sweat baths. There is also a wealth of art to be studied at the location with each piece of art having a noticeable blend of Mayan and Aztec influences.\r
\r
4. Coba ( ko ba)\r
\r
The Coba archaeological site is huge. That is not an exaggeration. The entire site area is 80 km or 50 miles. The site contains two lagoons and there are still 20,000 structures that remain unexcavated. The site sees little tourism because of its location. The location was estimated to have only 50,000 occupants at its peak. The first modern road to the site was opened in 1970 and it has made it somewhat easier to excavate. There are temples along with several different residential houses.\r
\r
3. Abo Ruins (ah bo)\r
\r
Abo is small pueblo ruin in New Mexico that sees steady tourism. The ruins date back to the 14th century and it was a major trade location at its peak. The ruins remain mostly unexcavated but, the site is protected as a National Historic landmark. It was added to the list in 1962. Abo is also the name used for a formation of red sandstone beds that are located near the ruins. There are tours that can be taken of the site and a guided hike through what was once the city.\r
\r
2. Chaco Culture National Historical Park (cha ko ) \r
\r
The Chaco culture national park that has the densest concentration of pueblos in the American Southwest. The park can be found in New Mexico. This location has the most sweeping ruins north of Mexico. The site was a source of culture for the Ancient Pueblo people. This location features 15 major buildings that were the largest constructs in the US until the 19th century. There is also evidence of archaeoastronomy in the area with a sun dagger that was used to measure the solstices and equinoxes. In addition, many of the building were built to measure the sun and moons cycles. The abandoning of the location was believed to be caused by climate change and a 50-year drought that began in 1130. The site isnt open to the public anymore because of the fear of degradation of the site.\r
\r
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1.Chichén Itzá [chee-chen eet-sah, eet-suh]\r
\r
Chichén Itzá didnt get its spot on the eight wonders of the world list for nothing. Its one of the largest seats of the Mayan empire, located in Mexico. Its the most popular archaeological site in Mexico with more than 1.4 million visitors annually. Although the ruin lies in Northern Mexico, archaeologists have found architecture similar to the kind that can be f