The Archaeology of Chichen Itza

This chapter is a comprehensive overview of research at Chichen Itza written from an archaeological perspective. The authors present a historical review of excavations, settlement pattern studies, the interpretation of ethnohistoric sources, and the decipherment of hieroglyphic texts. They also discuss some of the main points of contention in Chichen Itza archaeology: its ceramic and architectural sequences, the timing of the end of construction, and the question of whether to consider it a Terminal Classic or Postclassic site. Based upon a careful consideration of multiple lines of evidence—including new data about ceramics, stratigraphy, and paleoclimatology—they conclude by offering a succinct picture of the urban growth of Chichen Itza, the development of its artistic and architectural programs, and its interactions with surrounding sites.