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Mayan world and this one, resting upon a rectangular platform, 200 x 240 
feet, is unique among the Chichen Itza buildings. Evidence that it may 
have been used as an astronomical observatory is scanty, but the Carnegie 
Institution archeologists in the course of their restoration of the building 
did establish the fact that a line of sight— through openings in the tower 
wall bisects the sun on March 21 and again on September 21, at the vernal 
and autumnal equinoxes, respectively. 
Personally, I was most impressed by the great ball court, one of the 
six or more reported from the Chichen Itza area. It is one of the most 
remarkable buildings in all Mayaland, and the largest of all ball courts 
ever put up by the Maya, Old or New Empire (A, D. 320 -987 and A.D. 987-1527 
respectively) . It was more than an athletic field or sports arena for it 
undoubtedly served also as a place of assembly. Five thousand people can 
be accommodated within and on its walls. 
Overall, measurements are 545 feet long by 225 feet wide; within 
the "temples" at either end, about 480 feet long. The "playing field” 
itself, apart from low lateral terraces, is 272 feet long by approximately 
120 feet wide. The temple at the south end is an 80-foot wide structure. 
% 
The one at the northern end is smaller, perhaps 25 feet wide. It is also 
colonaded , a "dais” perhaps for seating important functionaries. No 
public address system was needed to reach the ears of anyone of the multi- 
tude that might be called together in the confines of the court, for it 
is so constructed that the human voice carries its full length from one 
temple to the other, without undue effort, as clearly as a bell. We know 
