the main stairway of the Castillo at Chichen Itza, Mexico
a cenote at Chichen Itza, Mexico
Luis Marden photographing the ball court at Chichen Itza, Mexico
visitors at the ruins of Uxmal, Mexico
the Temple of the Seven Dolls at Dzibilchaltun, Mexico
a diver carrying an ancient jar to the surface of a cenote, Dzibilchaltun, Mexico
artifacts at a burial site, La Venta, Tabasco, Mexico
Matthew Stirling measuring a stone altar at the La Venta archaeological site, Mexico
a colossal Olmec head at Tres Zapotes, Mexico
a man near an ancient Maya stone carving, Quirigua, Guatemala
Dr. and Mrs. Matthew W. Stirling at Piedra Parada, Mexico
two people standing at the ancient Temple of the Sun, Palenque, Mexico
Marion Stirling near Maya glyphs, Palenque, Mexico
the ruins of Monte Alban, near Oaxaca, Mexico
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El Castillo, Chichén Itzá


In 1936, a visitor scales the northern stairway of the pyramid known as El Castillo at Chichén Itzá in southern Mexico. Built to awe, the 79-foot-tall pyramid has become the towering icon of Chichén Itzá, one of the largest and most powerful of all Maya cities.

Photograph by Luis Marden, National Geographic

Vintage Photos: Exploring the Yucatán Peninsula

The ancient Maya and Olmec civilizations of the Yucatán Peninsula have fascinated explorers for centuries. Travel back in time to see what some of the first archaeologists saw with these vintage photos.

September 11, 2012

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