Chichen Itza was a major focal point in the Northern Maya Lowlands form the Late Classic(600-900A.D)through the Terminal Classic (800-900 A.D)and into the early portion of the Postclassic period (900-1200 A.D).The site exhibits a multitude of architectual styles,reminisent of styles seen in central Mexico and of the Puuc abd Chenes style of Northern Maya Lowlands.The presense of central Mexican styles was once thought to have been representativesof direct migration or even conquest from central Mexico ,but most contemporary interpretations view the presense of these non-Maya styles more as the result of cultural diffusion.
Chichen Itza was one of the largest Maya cities and its was likely to have been one of the mythical great cities,or Tollens,referred to in later Mesoamerican literature.The city have had the most diverse population in the Maya world,factor that could have contributed to the variety of architectural styles.
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