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Chenes Style> 600 - 900 C.E.
or the Late Classic period

An extreme in abundant decorative styles. Chenes buildings showed entrance facades composed of huge zoomorphic masks that turned doorways into simulated maws complete with teeth and fangs. A prominent nose and squinting eyes can be found in the lintel over the doorway and the side walls represent huge ear-flares and other decorative elements. Typically this image is meant to represent the earth mother Itzamna, shown as an iguana or a crocodile. The name "Chenes" is derived from a Yucatec word meaning "Well, Cistern or Cave with Water" as this region is where water can only be obtained by passing through entrances of this kind. Found in Hochob and Tabasqueno to name a few.

chenes