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MEXICO: This pyramid is called “El Castillo” in Chichen Itza (2:19-2:36). It was built hundreds of years ago by the Maya civilization, but the amazing part here is that twice a year, exactly on the Spring and Fall equinoxes, a shadow appears that aligns perfectly with a serpent’s head. How did the Maya figure this out?

For project ideas, one year Lower School students created almost 400 miniature cubes to literally build “El Castillo”. This year, third graders are using LED lights to create a shadow of the serpent’s tail inside a diorama. Aside: The video below is subtitled in Chinese, but narrated in English.

LINKS: Chichen Itza (Mexico), Chichen Itza (de noche), Chichen Itza (2:19-2:36), Pyramid/20 Story High Apt. Bldg., 10 Chichen Itza Facts, Early Indigenous Knowledge of Astronomy, Los cielos de América- Chichen Itza, Chichen Itza in 4K, Constellation Maps- Printable, Chichen Itza ‘El Castillo’ Coloring Page

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