Temple
of the Descending God
This
is on the north side of the inner precinct, and
although there are many representations of the
Descending God at Tulum, this is the only structure
to bear his name. The temple stands on a flatroofed
building that was filled in to serve as a base.
A staircase leads up to the temple that has a
single chamber and a bottle-shaped vault. Inside
there are two benches along the sides and a small
window opening in the rear wall.
The building is topped by a roof crest in three
parts, and over the doorway there is a niche containing
a painted stucco figure of the winged god who
seems to be descending from the sky. The temple
formerly had mural paintings both on the main
facade and on the southwest and northwest corners
where there were religious scenes that included
the gods of Rain, Corn and the Sun.
There are also remains of mural painting inside.
Some have been restored to show various deities
making offerings in a setting that symbolizes
the night sky, with Venus, the Sun and the stars
combined with interlaced serpents.
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Temple
of the Wind
Built
on a natural rise on the cliff north of the
cove at Tulum, it stands on a circular platform
similar to those found on other Mesoamerican
archaeological sites, especially those in central
Mexico. These platforms were provided for temples
dedicated to Ehecatl, the god of Wind, one of
the aspects of Quetzalcoatl. The building has
a single room, with an entrance on the north
side, and a vaulted roof where remains of stone
sculpture were discovered. |
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