Sculpted motifs of skull and crossbones bear a striking resemblance to the symbolism used in Freemasonry. Some Freemasons, such as Augustus Le Plongeon was convinced that the roots of Freemasonry were to be found in the ancient Maya culture. However, the motifs are uncommon for Puuc art and architecture. The platforms precede 897 AD, the traditional date associated with the Toltec conquest of Chichen Itza so the foreign symbols are best understood as influence from Chontal Maya traders or Putun Itza Maya who, with their Mexican connections, had ruled Chichen Itza since the middle 800s. These symbols serve to document evidence of such trade contacts.