Dzibichaltun, an archaeological site located to the north of Merida, is the stage of an archaeoastronomical event involving the alignment of the rising Sun with the eastern gateway of the Temple of the Seven Dolls. During this event, the solar disc is precisely framed by the gateway for a few minutes, when seen from the west side of the temple. This event was discovered in 1982 by the late archaeologist Victor Segovia Pinto.
As stated by archaeologist Huchim Herrera, the Temple of the Seven Dolls got its name from the discovery of an offering consisting of seven pottery anthropomorphic figurines in the central part of the building.
This phenomenon, occurs halfway down the sun’s path from one solstice to another. It can also be seen on September 21st and 22nd. In addition, the winter and summer solstices can be observed on December 22nd and June 22nd, respectively.
These phenomenons are proof of the Temple of the Seven Dolls’ function as an astronomic observatory, which is similar, although on a smaller scale, to that of the Governor’s Palace in Uxmal.
Across the sacbe (white road) that leads to the Temple of the Seven Dolls and behind Structure 45, there is another building of similar characteristics, which still awaits excavation. It is believed that it served a similar function to that of the Temple of the Seven Dolls, although the Sun might have been framed by its main entrance at sunset..
Source: Diario de Yucatan
