Temple of Warriors
The Temple of the Warriors structure obtains its name from the front monolith were images of warriors are carved. Since the public is barred from entering the structure, it is hard to appreciate the carvings on the wall. However at the top of the stairway on the pyramid’s summit, at the very entrance of the temple, there is Chac Mool flanked by two columns of Feathered Serpents. Chac Mool translates to Red Claw, but the name itself is a modern invention, and has nothing to do with the statue. The Chac Mool statue has a bowl in its stomach that was used to place the still pumping heart torn out of the terrified sacrificial victim. The Chac Mool style comes from central Mexico.
Group of a Thousand Columns
“El Grupo de las Mil Columnas”, which translates from Spanish to “The Group of a Thousand Columns,” is located behind The Market, and truly is quite an astounding scene. It is adjoined to the Temple of Warriors. The columns are honestly too many to count and are set up in quite an impressive way. The columns are not only cylindrical and are aligned meticulously forming almost a perfect line. It is thought that the pillars at one point held a roof above them. There are also carvings and stone reliefs of warriors, animals and serpents to be found inside. On the northeast column temple contains an engineered channel that funnels all the rainwater from the complex about 130 feet to a drain hole. The purpose of this structure still somewhat remains a mystery. Some think it was used an indoor assembly area. At any rate, if you find yourself here don’t just pass by it, really take the time to gaze upon its astounding columns. You won’t regret it.
