The Osario of Chichen Itza

Research on the Osario of Chichen Itza reveals that this radial temple, coeval with the Temple of the Warriors, symbolized Flower Mountain—a sacred place of abundance and afterlife for warriors. The study combines early 20th-century explorations with recent INAH excavations to propose that the cave beneath the temple served as a final resting place for cremated warrior remains, aligning with central Mexican funeral traditions. This interpretation suggests the Osario was not only an architectural parallel to the Castillo but also a significant cultural and spiritual site, rewarding warriors for their contributions to trade and economic prosperity.

Headrick, A. (2017). The Osario of Chichen Itza. Landscapes of the Itza. https://doi.org/10.5744/florida/9780813054964.003.0007