Maya Architecture and Interpretation: Chichén Itzá as part of the Cultural Heritage Narrative

Abstract

Architecture acts as the visual embodiment of culture in heritage tourism, suggesting a narrative history of “place.” At Chichén Itzá issues of commercialism and development have at times eclipsed this cultural narrative, instead becoming themselves central to the understanding of the architectural complex as a modern site of Yucatán Maya identity. Since the inception of mass tourism to the area in the 1970s, the site has seen visitors from all over the world come to experience the archaeological remains for religious, spiritual, educational, and leisure purposes. Despite this fame, however, the Chichén Itzá interpretation is representative of a number of common issues associated with the popular presentation of archaeological sites, particularly the introduction of mass tourism, and the shift toward commercialization and accessibility of the site at the expense of the local Maya heritage. Despite these significant concerns, the complex at Chichén Itzá can be interpreted as representative of both the ancient and modern Maya populations through the active participation of local Maya residents in the archaeological management of the site. Heritage interpretation exemplifies an increasingly faceted and evolving discourse, where emerging practices are investigated, allowing for a gradient of “successful” endeavors, which are judged using a variety of criteria. With parallels to ancient Maya political structure and history, and under these emerging criteria, the interpretation of the site can be told through historical Maya connections with an emphasis on looking to the past for cues, and accommodating changing needs in architecture.