Osario, Yucatán, Mexico
The Deer House in Chichen Itza is almost completely destroyed, with only one fully intact room and the entrance to another, which no longer exists, remaining. Above the ceiling, the remnants of what was once a ridge are barely visible. However, even in its current state, its construction is clearly very similar to the temple in Chichanchob. Besides being built on almost identical platforms, both have very similar cornices, plinths, roof construction, projections, vaults, and stone walls. Another similarity is the design and shape of their three chambers and stone rings associated with the upper finishing. Only these two buildings have such rings; however, archaeologists still do not fully understand their purpose. The common features of the two structures clearly indicate that one is a partial copy of the other or both were designed by the same architect within a few years of each other. The Deer House is situated on a platform or plinth floor with rounded corners and a smooth facade; the frieze is located between moldings, and the ridge on the facade is without any decorations.
It is assumed that their construction took place at the beginning of the seventh century AD. Later, both buildings underwent certain modifications. If the destroyed facade of Chichanchob was added to the building later, it can be assumed that it, along with the discovered phallic figure, censer, and jugs, demonstrate a change in the building’s original use, but its ceremonial function remained the same. The addition of secondary staircases in front of the entrances also does not indicate a change in the building’s function but was possibly an architectural innovation, as was the roof that covered the space between the facade and the projection. The addition of a snake head to the stairs of the Deer House may indicate that the building was dedicated to this cult during the Toltec period or later.
The discovered altar shows that during the Mayapan period, religious ceremonies in the Deer House became more public than before. Interpreting the meaning of the deer painting or what it depicts would be somewhat risky pending further archaeological, ethnographic, and documentary research that could shed more light on this matter.
The name is related to the fact that a deer painting was found inside the Deer House on stucco, but unfortunately, it has since disappeared. It is believed that the building suffered from the passage of a water flow that washed away the plaster on the walls there. Additionally, in front of the Deer House, you can see the remains of some elongated buildings that may have been temples similar to the two that still stand.
The Deer House in Chichen Itza is located on a square plaza south of the Ossuary and in front of the entrance to the observatory.
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