Link, Title, and Description

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFnHCEGVDWJu53yyZeLRxxd_92wskSDB_

Maya Language & Culture Course

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KnWgctuxBc

Tokovinine Lecture 1. Introduction - the context of Maya writing, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTYh1TYyLiE

Tokovinine Lecture 3. An overview of the Classic Maya script, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC-mttsfg4U

Tokovinine Lecture 4. Word and Image in Maya writing, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVUHN44o2Uo

Tokovinine Lecture 5. Classic Maya calendar - a very, very brief introduction, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NXza9SnIkE

Tokovinine Lecture 7. Classic Maya writing - spelling rules, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o9nj_zybgM

Tokovinine Lecture 8. Hieroglyphic Mayan - the pronouns, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8veQp-WPPg

Tokovinine Lecture 9. Tags and tagging in Classic Maya texts and images, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23BDttXaWc8

Tokovinine Lecture 10. Nouns and possession in Hieroglyphic Mayan, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLBUs01dbDI

Tokovinine Lecture 11. Maya glyphs on pots, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKQZUBE3xu0

Tokovinine Lecture 12. More on Classic Maya nouns and adjectives, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX81GklLSVQ

Tokovinine Lecture 13. Classic Maya personhood and names, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXzPTwCbJFM

Tokovinine Lecture 14. Verbs in Hieroglyphic Mayan - an introduction, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx6WvwThGAQ

Tokovinine Lecture 15. People and places in Classic Maya texts, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX4eiIcTnHU

Tokovinine Lecture 16. Intransitive verbs in Hieroglyphic Mayan, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2pYtVwVWNI

Tokovinine Lecture 17. Classic Maya cities in their own words, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUtHiidNSkA

Tokovinine Lecture 18. Transitive verbs in Hieroglyphic Mayan, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T1hYTS5vO8

Tokovinine Lecture 19. Ancient Maya gods, part 1 - major deities and narratives, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTBywbPqcYM

Tokovinine Lecture 20. Derived transitives, relational nouns, and adverbs, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGOJcgg5w0k

Tokovinine Lecture 21. Ancient Maya gods, part 2 – gods, ancestors, and naguales, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtv50vnTVQw

Tokovinine Lecture 22. Deixis in Classic Maya texts, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv3mokidSzg

Tokovinine Lecture 23. Maya time and time lords, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R04_xEBx3XU

Tokovinine Lecture 24. Classic Maya courtly culture, part I, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG1dPBlxcfY

Tokovinine Lecture 25. Classic Maya courtly culture, part II, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc6VB1CAYQc

Tokovinine Lecture 26. Ancient Maya graffiti and dipinti, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoulAvhaULQ

Tokovinine Lecture 27. Classic Maya texts as literature, University of Alabama, 2021-2022.

Link, Title, and Description

Tokovinine lectures given at Harvard University in 2015-2016, no longer available on the Web.

Tokovinine Lecture 1. Introduction, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 2. Decipherment, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 3. Overview, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 4. Epigraphy, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 5. Writing Art, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 6. Numbers, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 7. Calendar, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 8. Language, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 9. Spelling, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 10. Pronouns, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 11. Tags, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 12. Nouns, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 13. Texts on Pots, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 14. Adjectives, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 15. Names, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 16. Verbs Tense Aspect, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 17. Places, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 18. Intransitive Verbs, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 19. Built Landscape, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 20. Transitive Verbs, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 21. Time, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 22. Derived Transitives, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 23. Gods, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 24. Clitics, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 25. Courtly Life, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 26. Literature, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 27. Collapse, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Tokovinine Lecture 28. Summary, Harvard University, 2015-2016.

Link, Title, and Description

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T--VTvMw2c0

ArchaeoEd S3E4 - 260 Days

1 Dec 2021

The 260-day calendar of Mesoamerica is its oldest and most enduring measurement of time. In this episode I'll explain how it works, what it means to modern Maya people, and how the Dresden Codex contains important links between the past and present uses of the sacred Tzolk'in calendar.

39 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdOtfDIx3qc

Ancient American Weapons - ArchaeoEd S5 E7

1 Mar 2024

There were multiple militaristic civilizations in the ancient Americas. In this episode, Ed talks about their rise to power and weapons of choice.

44 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOyhPizMWbQ

Copan 1997 - ArchaeoEd S5E8

1 Apr 2024

In 1997, Ed was part of the excavations that discovered the tomb of Copan's first ruler - Yax K'uk' Mo'. Join him as he tells the story in his usual humorous style.

42 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1rknTxk-PQ

ArchaeoEd S5E1 - Ed's Origin Story at Copan

1 Sep 2023

Ever wonder how Ed became an archaeologist? Well, here's the story. The year was 1990 and the place was Copan, Honduras. A field school experience for the record books!

32 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP19Loy5Tus

ArchaeoEd S4E5 - How I Mapped Palenque (Part 1)

1 Jan 2023

From 1998 to 2000, I (Dr. Edwin Barnhart) led the Palenque Mapping Project. In this episode I'll share the behind-the-scenes story of how I got the job and the strange things that happened while making the map.

37 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3JMn-cpL1c

ArchaeoEd S4E6 - How I Mapped Palenque (Part 2)

1 Feb 2023

The continued story of how I mapped Palenque - still in 1998, field season 1 of 3. In this episode - forest fires, mangos, and skinny dipping.

40 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-gUCUFwnpA

ArchaeoEd S4E7 - How I Mapped Palenque (Part 3)

1 Mar 2023

The final chapter of the Palenque Mapping Project, Season 1. More snakes, more temples, an exploding Barney the Dinosaur, and a robbery at gun point! I got by with a little help from my friends.

33 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lKa0Vfmk20

How I Mapped Palenque - Part 4 - ArchaeoEd S6E1

1 Sep 2024

The year was 1999. Ed and his crew started year two of the Palenque Mapping Project. Ed recounts the story - snakes, pyramids, tombs, and a visit from the President of Mexico!

37 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvFtzmBVXew

How I Mapped Palenque, Part 5 - ArchaeoEd S6E2

1 Oct 2024

In May and June of 1999, Ed and his mapping crew were hard at work puzzling out western Palenque. More deadly snakes, collapsed tombs, and 100's of ancient buildings were waiting for them in the jungle. Season 6 Episode 2, aired October 1, 2024.

35 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgiPPmq5vH0

Linda Schele - ArchaeoEd S5E6

1 Feb 2024

Linda Schele was the most influential Mayanist of her time. Ed had the good fortune to be counted among her graduate students. In this episode, he'll tell you some stories from his time with her.

41 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ojZ66tLDM

ArchaeoEd S2E4 - MaaxNa - Part 1

1 Apr 2021

In 1995, I discovered a lost Maya city in the jungles of Northwest Belize. This podcast is the story of how I did it.

35 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FKGBM18G_c

ArchaeoEd S2E5 - MaaxNa - Part 2 and Other Tales

1 May 2021

This episode is part two of the Ma'ax Na story. I cover the 3rd and 4th seasons of my adventures mapping Ma'ax Na, plus some other things that happened in my archaeological career back in 1996 and 1997.

39 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXQiUFjtSlc

ArchaeoEd S3E5 - Moises Morales

1 Jan 2022

Moises Morales was a legend in Mexico. His contributions to our knowledge and the protection of the Maya ruins of Palenque are unparalleled. In this episode, I'll tell you some stories about my dear friend Moi.

32 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX5cWF7d-ro

ArchaeoEd Episode 2 - Palenque

30 Sep 2020

Palenque was arguably the most beautiful and sophisticated of all the Maya Classic Period cities. Learn all about it from the guy who literally map the map of its ruins - me!

33 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiEZvL_EpT4

Teotihuacan - ArchaeoEd S5E4

1 Dec 2023

Teotihuacan was the most important city in all of ancient Mesoamerican history. Despite almost 200 years of archaeology there, there's a whole lot we don't understand. Join Ed for a discussion of what we know - and still don't know - about Teotihuacan.

50 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMHkv4j3Pbw

The Maya Ballgame in the Popol Vuh - ArchaeoEd teaser

Premiered on 10 Jul 2024

A short clip from the ArchaeoEd Podcast on the Mesoamerican Ballgame.

1 minute 31 seconds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzJvz0cLIRQ

ArchaeoEd S3E9 - The Mesoamerican Ballgame

1 May 2022

About 4000 years ago, the civilizations of Mesoamerica created the world's first team sport - older by centuries than any other. It was played with a big rubber ball, in a stone-built ball court, and enjoyed from the Chihuahua Desert to the rainforests of Honduras.

41 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMr0uLUpIG8

The Milky Way - Path to the Otherworld, ArchaeoEd S5 E5

1 Jan 2024

All over the ancient Americas, from Chile to Alaska, the Milky Way was seen as the path to the otherworld. Join Ed as he explains his evidence for that assertion.

43 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLGDRUJ1ND4

ArchaeoEd S3E6 - The Olmecs

1 Feb 2022

The Olmecs are widely considered Mesoamerica's "mother culture". In this episode I'll talk about that amazing civilization's achievements and how recent discoveries may change what we think we know about them.

38 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjtt9wP2VZw

ArchaeoEd Episode 4 - Tulum

1 Oct 2020

At Spanish contact, was the Maya port city of Tulum also an Aztec military outpost? I think so. Let me tell you why.

36 minutes

Link, Title, and Description

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a71jpCvE60

Lecture 7 - Intro to Maya [title in video: Introduction to the Maya & Pre-Classic Maya]

10 Feb 2021

ARTH350G Latin American Art History. // Travis Lee Clark. // Utah Valley University.

1 hour 30 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4aQqasBvwY

Lecture 6 - Mesoamerican Classic Cultures - The Maya

9 Feb 2021

ARTH309G Non-Western Art History. // Travis Lee Clark. // Utah Valley University.

1 hour 24 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3aFkdBAMtw

Lecture 5 - Pre-Classic Cultures - Olmecs & Teotihuacan

9 Feb 2021

ARTH309G Non-Western Art History. // Travis Lee Clark. // Utah Valley University.

57 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQfZx4tASGA

Lecture 9 - Postclassic Maya & Toltec

24 Feb 2021

ARTH350G Latin American Art. // Travis Lee Clark. // Utah Valley University.

1 hour 20 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTHngCrmkXw

Lecture 8 - The Classic Maya

18 Feb 2021

ARTH350G Latin American Art. // Travis Lee Clark. // Utah Valley University.

1 hour 25 minutes

Link, Title, and Description

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ABFbQKLH3g

“My Apprenticeship with Maya Shaman Elijio Panti” with Dr. Rosita Arvigo

18 Jul 2023

Rosita Arvigo is a life-long empirical herbalist with a doctorate of Naprapathy. Her obsession and passion have been medicinal plants of the Americas and abdominal therapy. Plants and their relationship to human health has been the primary focus of her professional... and personal life. She is the author of numerous books on Maya medical plants and healing practices and many other topics. She shares stories and anecdotes about her thirteen-year apprenticeship with Belize’s most famous Maya healer, Don Elijio Panti. She answers questions about this fascinating area of ancient Maya culture still practiced today in Maya communities throughout Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras. // Don Elijio Panti (1893–1996) gained international recognition as one of the last living links of an ancient Maya system of healing that employs medicinal plants, massage, acupuncture, herbal and sweat baths, and prayers to effect cures on a wide range of maladies. // Rosita was very close to Don Elijio in his final years, and in addition to this knowledge, she will impart some of her experiences and anecdotes about this fascinating man who was one of Belize’s last living links to thousands of years of Maya knowledge.

1 hour 26 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ype_z1pmoFY

A Visit to Baking Pot in Belize with Jaime Awe

12 Mar 2023

In this video by Jim Reed, Jaime Awe takes us on a personal tour of Baking Pot, accompanied by young Maya glyph artist Frank Dzib. Jaime Awe, of Northern Arizona University, is Belize’s technical representative to the Mundo Maya Organization and Director of the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project. // Baking Pot is an ancient Maya archaeological site located in the Belize River Valley on the southern bank of the river, northeast of modern-day town of San Ignacio in the Cayo District of Belize. // Baking Pot is associated with an extensive amount of research into Maya settlements, community-based archaeology, and of agricultural production; the site possesses lithic workshops, and evidence of cash-cropping cacao as well as a long occupation from the Preclassic through to the Postclassic period.

35 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsYh9DcDt1I

Xunantunich 2022 Field Season Excavations with Dr. Jaime Awe

9 Aug 2022

Thanks for accessing the Institute of Maya Studies YouTube channel. In June of 2022, IMS Explorer newsletter editor Jim Reed enjoyed a Maya adventure in Western Belize. Archaeologist Dr. Jaime Awe showed him the excavations at Xunantunich. This video shows Awe describing Middle Preclassic structure excavations at one end of a ballcourt; excavations of a sweatbath; the important hieroglyphic Panels 3 & 4 uncovered in front of Structure A-9; and the tomb of a female within Structure A-9. The Panels will play an important part of the discussion at an Institute of Maya Studies’ sponsored symposium/roundtable at this year’s Maya at the Playa event on Saturday, October 1st.

35 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70x3WLkfd7k

“A Resplendent Tree Hiding In The Forest the ‘Maya Cross’ at Palenque” with Carl D. Callaway

14 Dec 2022

Carl’s talk reevaluates one of the most famous images in Classic Maya art, the figure known as the Maya cross from Palenque, Mexico (250-900 CE). The cross is prominently displayed as the central motif on the sarcophagus lid from K'inich Janaab' Pakal I’s tomb and on the inner sanctuary panel of K'inich Kan B'alam II’s Temple of the Cross. // The presentation offers new findings that revise past ideas about the cross’s material identity, mythical origins, and proper name. Prior scholarship conceived the image to be a mythical tree, inhabiting the axis-mundi of the world. New iconographic, epigraphic, and archaeological evidence strongly suggests that the Maya identified Palenque’s cross as a tangible object, a jade tree that originated in the east, with the revered title, “Resplendent-Jade Jewel Tree.” This Aztlander program was hosted by Jim Reed. // Carl D. Callaway, PhD, is Adjunct Professor, Austin Community College, Department of Art History. He is an archaeologist, art historian and folklorist. Recently, he published “Rubbings of Ancient Maya Sculpture by Joan W. Patten” (Mayaweb Art Press).

2 hours 55 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihkvJg113a4

“Teotihuacan: A Social History of the Early Mexican Metropolis” with David M. Carballo

7 Nov 2023

In this presentation I approach Teotihuacan through a lens of social history, by which I mean an emphasis on social structures and the interactions of different social groups who inhabited the city or interacted with it within a broader sphere of influence. I focus on issues of urban daily life among diverse groups of Teotihuacanos, including neighborhood organization, craft production, governing institutions, and the city’s contemporary relevance as an example of a multiethnic, economically robust, and prestigious place that was the largest city in the Americas for centuries. I will also compare lifeways at Tlajinga with excavated residential zones elsewhere in the city in promoting a more bottom-up social history of the city and its inhabitants. // David M. Carballo is Professor of Anthropology, Archaeology, and Latin American Studies at Boston University. He specializes in the archaeology of Latin America, especially central Mexico, but has also conducted research in Honduras, Belize, Peru, and the U.S., with topical interests in households, urbanism, religion, social inequality, and working with contemporary communities in understanding ancient ones. Current investigations focus on Teotihuacan’s Tlajinga district, a cluster of non-elite neighborhoods on the periphery of what was then the largest city in the Americas.

1 hour 48 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKElkbqYjdI

“A Putun Entrada? War and Political Reconfiguration in the Southern Maya Lowlands” with Nick Carter

28 February 2025

Sir Eric Thompson famously proposed that a Maya ethnic group – the Putun or Chontal people – expanded from their homeland, where the Grijalva and Usumacinta rivers empty into the Gulf of Mexico, to dominate large areas of the Maya world during the eighth and ninth centuries. In part, his “Putun hypothesis” sought to explain well-documented changes in material culture, hieroglyphic writing, and monumental iconography during that period. In recent decades, Thompson’s migration-centered model has largely fallen out of favor, supplanted by the diffusion of ideas at the level of the elite. But, as researchers including Simon Martin have pointed out, there is some reason to think that at least one Terminal Classic magnate – Papmalil, who ruled at Ucanal and dominated formerly more powerful kingdoms – really did have roots in the Gulf Coast region. Without wishing to resurrect the idea of massive migrations, I propose that a group of Gulf Coastal warrior elites entered the southeastern lowlands in the context of the great conflict between Naranjo and Tikal at the end of the eighth century, eventually taking advantage of those wars to establish themselves as regional hegemons. The ways in which these leaders, their allies, and their descendants represented themselves in monumental art and writing recapitulate, to some extent, similar processes around the Early Classic Teotihuacan entrada into Peten. // Nick Carter is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Texas State University, specializing in the archaeology and writing systems of Mesoamerica and in the curation and management of cultural heritage. Nick was born in Houston, did his undergraduate work at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, and went on to graduate studies at the University of Texas and at Brown University, ultimately earning a PhD from the latter in 2014. Before coming to Texas State, he worked for the Corpus of Maya Hieroglyphic Inscriptions at Harvard’s Peabody Museum. Nick’s main area of research is in Maya hieroglyphic writing and the archaeology of the municipio of Dolores, in the Maya Mountains of eastern Peten, Guatemala. Most of his recent publications have centered on that area, including the foundation of local dynasties and diplomatic and hostile relationships among them, with Barb MacLeod as an invaluable collaborator in some of these projects. Photogrammetric modeling of monuments from the Dolores area has revealed previously unrecognized details of monumental texts from the capitals of Ixtonton, Ixkun, and Sacul, allowing access to data that improve our understanding of the Dolores region’s historical trajectory in the Late and Terminal Classic periods.

1 hour 34 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJdjI3rTREE

“Maya Numbers and Computations” with Ximena Catepillán

11 Jan 2023

Mesoamerican calendars were many and quite complex. There have been a good number of studies done to decipher them. By the arrival of Hernán Cortés in 1519 in what is current-day Mexico, there were 21 calendars in use while 4 of them were extinct. Using astronomical observations, the Maya developed an elaborate system of calendars, among them the Tzolkin Calendar, the Haab Calendar, the Calendar Round, which is a combination of the first two, and the Long Count. // Which operations did the Maya use to perform their calendrical computations? While they used a vigesimal system to write the numbers, this system was never used in connection with days. No inscriptions use vigesimal numbers but rather quasi-vigesimal (chronological) numbers. In spoken numbers, a mix of decimal and vigesimal notation appears. // Here Ximena illustrates calendrical computation within and among calendars and conversion examples in which division is needed, and that are simple enough to do with pencil and paper. You might learn something new! // Ximena Catepillán, Emerita Professor of Mathematics at Millersville University, Pennsylvania, is passionate about Precolumbian-era mathematics. As a Chilean with ancestral roots throughout South America, she seeks to celebrate and memorialize indigenous peoples through the study of the relationship between mathematics and culture – ethnomathematics – systems which allowed ancient civilizations to describe, manage, and understand reality. Before attending graduate school in the United States, Ximena taught mathematics at Universidad de Magallanes in the Chilean Patagonia. In 1991, after earning a Master’s degree in Science and a PhD in Mathematics from The University of Iowa, Ximena began teaching mathematics at Millersville University.

1 hour 56 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeAMkPZSTME

Who Will Be Our Sustainers - Human Mediation in the Popol Vuh - with Allen Christenson - BYU

28 Jan 2022

Maya anthropocentrism places the responsibility to sustain divinely sanctioned nature squarely on the shoulders of humans, a terrible burden but also one that gives them a measure of control in the face of a world that is at once conducive to human existence and antagonistic toward it. Allen J. Christenson is a Professor of Pre-Columbian Studies in the Department of Comparative Arts and Letters at Brigham Young University.

1 hour 33 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyYtpA6aivA

Maya Weavers - Weaving for Justice with Christine Eber

20 Mar 2023

“Maya Weavers: Envy in Times of Struggle and Hope. Challenges of Working Collectively in Chiapas, Mexico”. // This Aztlander program features Christine Eber, Professor Emerita, Department of Anthropology, New Mexico State University. She is Director of the non-profit organization, Weaving for Justice (www.weaving-for-justice.org) based in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She has worked for decades among weaving families in southern Mexico. // Christine Eber addresses the challenges faced daily by the Chiapas Maya weaving collectives of Tsotsil-Maya weavers and their families in the highland municipality of San Pedro Chenalhó, Chiapas. Maya women have been weavers for as long as their people can remember. Today weavers encode in their creations a deeply held belief that people, plants, animals, Earth, and other spiritual beings must cooperate to keep the world in flower.

1 hour 24 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47rjmtvELZo

“Let’s Explore Classic Maya Imperialism” with Jerald "Jerry Ek Romero

Jun 18, 2025

A long history of research provides a rich empirical foundation to understand pre-Hispanic Maya states. The foundation of our understanding of Classic Maya society derives from a century of archaeological research bolstered by a multitude of projects in the last few decades. New research methods such as airborne laser scanning and Bayesian chronological modelling have provided a much more nuanced view of landscapes and historical dynamics. The maturation of the decipherment of the Maya writing system has instigated a new era in epigraphic research, as synthesis of historical information now provides an independent alternative source of information that both rivals and complements archaeological evidence. // Based on a paper in progress, my program will examine three questions. First, do the expansionist strategies employed by some Classic Maya polities fit definitions of imperialism derived from comparative research in the social sciences? Second, what factors might have influenced the strategies employed by dominant states or subordinate states? Third, can comparative studies help us better understand the strategies, impacts, and aftermaths these geopolitical interactions? While an argument for imperialism among Classic Maya states may seem like a radical departure from disciplinary consensus, the strategies implemented by dominant kingdoms have strong parallels with other preindustrial empires. I will examine the applicability of cross-cultural conceptual frameworks, which provide a useful set of testable middle-range theories to understand Classic Maya political dynamics. Engagement with these and other interdisciplinary conceptual frameworks is not only useful for developing better theories of Classic Maya political organization but will also help broaden the relevance of our work in other fields of the social sciences.

1 hour 39 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjhItut8HC8

“Feasts for the Honored Dead'" with Keith Eppich

23 May 2024

“Feasts for the Honored Dead: Mortuary Assemblages and Funerary Ceramics from the Classic Maya City of El Perú-Waka'" with Keith Eppich. // The ruins of El Perú-Waka', in the rainforest of the Laguna del Tigre National Park of northwestern Guatemala, have yielded a rich funerary tradition. This tradition includes eight major tombs and a dozen other, amply furnished burials. This presentation addresses the mortuary assemblages of this funerary tradition, arguing that such assemblages are the remains of symbolic feasts, designed to feed the body and soul of the interred individual. Such mortuary assemblages served as feasts for the honored dead, “planting” such rich materials into the earth, to assist in their funerary transfiguration into a living ancestor, entombed in masonry architecture. The mortuary assemblages and funerary ceramics of El Perú-Waka' are uniquely situated to reveal these ancient traditions, ranging from large polychrome platters and tripod cylinders of the Early Classic, thin orange bowls from Teotihuacan, Ik'-style Late Classic polychrome vases, carved cups from Tikal, ceramic figurines from Calakmul, “jaguar” bowls also from Calakmul, and the “golden-honey” polychrome vessels from the royal ceramic tradition of El Perú-Waka' itself. // Keith Eppich joined his first archaeological project at age eight, at Bedico Creek, Louisiana. Since then, he has excavated Tchefuncte shell mounds, Pleistocene bone beds, Antebellum plantations, California missions, Chumash camp sites, and ancient Maya cities. With his co-directors, he heads the Proyecto Arqueológico Waka', a large-scale and long-term archaeological project located in northwestern Guatemala at the ruined Maya city of El Perú-Waka'. Dr. Eppich holds multiple degrees from Louisiana State University, San Diego State University, and a PhD from Southern Methodist University. He specializes in the study of the Classic Maya ceramic arts, Native American urbanism, and the Mesoamerican economy. He has recently published on all three. He is the author of the recently published volume El Perú-Waka': New Archaeological Perspectives on the Kingdom of the Centipede and is co-editor of Breath and Smoke: Tobacco among the Maya. He is currently a professor in the Department of History, Geography, and Anthropology at Tyler Junior College – The College of East Texas.

1 hour 22 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBqfacTMvo0

The Maya Great Year - An Astronomical Key Embedded in the Palenque Tablet of the Cross

27 March 2025

Dr. Grofe will discuss the clearest evidence that Maya astronomers in Palenque were capable of calculating the sidereal year and the tropical year with great accuracy. The Temple of the Cross in Palenque contains a unique mythological text in the west panel that provides what is most likely a contrived birth date of the mythological king U Kokan Chan in 993 BC. The text continues in the east panel with his accession in 967 BC, and it then counts forward precisely 1,398 sidereal years from the birth of U Kokan Chan to the birth of the historical king K'uk' Bahlam I in 393 AD, and then to his accession in 431 AD, precisely 1,423 tropical years from the birth of U Kokan Chan. These intentionally contrived intervals reveal how Maya astronomers were likely using whole multiples of the 365-day Haab and the 260-day Tzolk'in to calculate both the sidereal and tropical years over very long periods of time. Dr. Grofe will clearly explain the subtle differences between these astronomical phenomena, discussing the importance of these calculations in the history of the development of astronomical sciences among the Maya as potentially the most accurate such measurements in human history for their time. // Correction: At minute 28, the correct number of days in the current mean Tropical Year is 365.242189 days. // Michael Grofe is a specialist in Maya hieroglyphic writing, archaeoastronomy, comparative mythology, and cacao. An experienced teacher: he is a four-field Professor and Chair of the Anthropology Department at Sacramento City College in California. He currently serves as the President of Mayas for Ancient Mayan (MAM), which helps Maya teachers and students learn to read and write in the Classic Maya hieroglyphic script, and he has led multiple archaeological field courses with the Maya Exploration Center. In his doctoral research at the University of California at Davis, he explored a new astronomical interpretation of the Serpent Series within the Dresden Codex that incorporates precise measurements of the sidereal year. His subsequent publications expand this research with additional data from deep time calculations that supports intentional measurements of the sidereal and tropical years in Classic period Maya inscriptions, and he explores how applied theoretical astronomy is interwoven with mythological narratives throughout these inscriptions.

2 hours 28 minutes

https://precolumbian.org/meeting-archives-2

May 13, 2023 Dr. Stanley Guenther, AFAR: “From Apogee to Abandonment: The Twilight of Tikal.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GZH3Cqc2MM

"The Impact of the Little Ice Age of 536 CE on Mesoamerica" with Dr. Joel D. Gunn

17 Jun 2024

The volcanic winters following 536 CE for a century were the most severe and protracted episode of climatic cooling in the Northern Hemisphere in the last 2,000 years. The volcanic winter was caused by at least three simultaneous eruptions of uncertain origin, with several possible locations proposed in various continents. The presentation is based on a forthcoming book 536 CE: The Impact of the Late Antique Little Ice Age on Mesoamerica, edited by Joel Gunn. It is a locally well-balanced survey of Mesoamerican responses to the Late Antique Little Ice Age (LALIA, 536-660 CE). Comprehensiveness of responses is comparable to that of the world at large that emerges from the great range of elevations between human habitats in Mesoamerica. The range of effects spans from improving conditions at Chalchuapa/Tazumal and Copan sample points, to sharply declining conditions to the point of abandonment in Teotihuacan. // Dr. Joel D. Gunn is a professional anthropologist with 40 years of postgraduate experience in the field. His background includes teaching at major universities, administration, pure research, and applied anthropology/ archaeology. His field experience encompasses cultures in the southeastern United States, Mesoamerica, Southern Europe, and Cyprus. Dr. Gunn’s areas of emphasis include global climate change as it affects local cultures, ecologies, and landscapes.

1 hour 36 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrPq0ffXzGQ

"The Cultural and Natural Legacy in the Cradle of Maya Civilization" with Dr. Richard Hansen

14 February 2025

“The Cultural and Natural Legacy in the Cradle of Maya Civilization: New Technology and Insights in the Mirador-Calakmul Basin” with Dr. Richard D. Hansen. // LiDAR coverage of a large contiguous area within the Mirador-Calakmul Karst Basin (MCKB) of northern Guatemala has identified a unique concentration of Preclassic Maya sites, consisting of 964 sites that form 417 ancient cities, towns, and villages. The larger monumental centers are joined by 177 km of Preclassic causeways forming what is believed to be the first superhighway system in the world. Massive cities with monumental architecture flourished in the area thanks to a heavy focus on chinampa and terrace agricultural systems, and forming what must have been a powerful political and economic state system. // Richard D. Hansen is a Research Professor at Idaho State University in the Department of Anthropology. He is the founder and President of The Foundation for Anthropological Research and Environmental Studies (FARES), and director of the Mirador Basin Project in Guatemala, having conducted research for 45 years. He has published 228 papers, 3 books, and 31 technical volumes for the Government of Guatemala.

2 hours 40 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ADeaLJhWrU

“Classic Maya Enema Ritual Iconography” with Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth, an Aztlander presentation

23 Nov 2022

Early Classic and Late Classic polychrome Maya ceramics show enema rituals and the associated bibs, syringes, and enema jugs. For jugs, Dr. Hellmuth showed the giant multi-gallon ceramic containers of the liquid and also the smaller jugs of identical shape that hold only a quart or liter. The smaller jugs are more confusing since they are present in parades and self-sacrifice scenes on polychrome ceramics that may have no relation with enemas. The enema scenes include self-injection (by the individual man) or injection by females to men. Men clothed as jaguars are frequently seen in enema rituals. This discussion documents the history of discovery of enema rituals first published by Peter Furst and Michael Coe in 1977. Within three months of that release, Hellmuth made even more discoveries. He has continued his research since then to the present. The studies of Peter De Smet on which plant chemicals were used in an enema by the ancient Maya will also be discussed. This research won the Ig Nobel Prize 2022 for art history for Dr. Hellmuth and Dr. Peter De Smet. The iconographic aspect was updated for this presentation. // Dr. Hellmuth is director of FLAAR USA and FLAAR Mesoamerica. FLAAR stands Foundation for Latin American Anthropological Research, and Dr. Hellmuth manages a large team at their office in Guatemala City. Technical assistant Paul Nuñez Rouanet helped Dr. Hellmuth with this excellent presentation.

2 hour 4 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz4ppkqi4Zg

Discovery of the Tomb of the Jade Jaguar at Tikal

24 Sep 2022

Dr. Nicholas M. Hellmuth had beginner’s luck to discover one of the most richly stocked royal burials of the entire ancient Maya realm (Tikal Burial 196). He accomplished this while still a student at Harvard, while working on the University of Pennsylvania archaeological project at Tikal, Guatemala. It is rare that an archaeologist has an opportunity to find the burial chamber of one of the great kings of an ancient civilization. This presentation was really special, actually breaking the 100-participant limit! It includes a short video at the end of the Q&A where Dr. Hellmuth joking presents samples of the kinds of enema paraphernalia that the ancient Maya utilized in honor of recently winning an Ig Nobel prize for his work investigating Maya enema usage.

1 hour 33 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wbWg4NE_nA

Iconography of Cosmology - Cough-Free version!

3 Feb 2024

“Iconography of Cosmology of Early Classic and Late Classic Maya World View: Sky Band Above – Earth Band Below and Surface of the Underwaterworld Band” with Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth, Director of FLAAR Mesoamerica. // Hosted by Jim Reed.

Note: In the original version, Dr. Hellmuth was suffering from a severe cough left over from a bout with bronchitis. Now Dennis Lisonbee has removed the coughing. Enjoy! // Cosmology is the study of world view, how a culture conceptualizes the earth, the sky, the sun, moon, planets, and constellations. Iconography is the study of symbolism, the study of the meaning of motifs and designs. Most iconography of Maya art is on deities and clothing of rulers and on animals, birds, and reptiles. This lecture for The Aztlander will be “the iconography of cosmology”, how did the Classic Maya of the Lowlands visualize and actually show their cosmos? // The Sky Band is the best known cosmogram of the Classic Maya. The “Earth Band” (Caban Band) is also known but is not as well documented by iconographers or epigraphers. So this will be a fresh new discussion topic. Plus, with the help of the FLAAR Photo Archive, it was possible to find another band that has either rarely or almost never been discussed as a cosmogram. // Now that we realize the Spanish conquest period Chilam Balam tree-above/roots below layers is not based on indigenous Maya concepts of the Central Lowlands, is all the more reason to keep looking for additional “cosmo-layers” that really exist in the Peten, Chiapas, Tabasco, Yucatan, and Belize, etc.

57 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0bB6Zz1Fy4

“Making History Through Community Archaeology in Chiapas, Mexico” with Christopher Hernández

26 Sep 2024

In this talk, I examine the role of collaborative archaeology in making histories. I stress that how we create a narrative about the human experience is just as important as what we say about the past. I demonstrate the importance of process through the case study of the Mensäbäk Archaeological Project (MAP). Over the course of almost two decades, MAP researchers have conducted a program of community archaeology that brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. I discuss the application of collaborative methods in aerial lidar mapping and the development of community-based heritage tourism. By building research with Indigenous descendants, I argue that we can transform the archaeological process and how we view human history. // Christopher Hernández is an assistant professor in anthropology at Loyola University, Chicago. As an anthropological archaeologist, his research focuses on issues of archaeological ethics, the application of community-based methods, relational philosophy, and understanding social conflict in a long-term perspective. Through the application of aerial laser scanning (lidar), documentary analysis, and traditional excavation methods, he investigates how the process of making war shaped landscapes in Mensäbäk, Chiapas, Mexico.

1 hour 8 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7SuVkMaEeM

“Making and Acquiring Tools - Stone Resources and Past Maya Economies” with Rachel Horowitz

28 Apr 2023

Archaeological research on the past Maya has a lengthy history. While much research has focused on Maya political organization, the Classic period Maya did not record much information about economies, thus limiting the types of data we have to discuss past economic activities. This program explores past Maya economies from the viewpoint of stone tool producers, to see how their activities overlapped with political organization. Much like our modern economy, the Classic period Maya economy contained a mix of types of production activities and ways in which people acquired their tools. // This presentation draws on two distinct examples of tool producers, Classic period biface producers in the lowland Maya region and Postclassic obsidian blade production and distribution in the Maya highlands, to illustrate the role of stone tool producers in the broader economy and how economic and political networks overlapped. Small-scale stone tool producers operated mostly independently of political leaders, illustrating the variability in economic processes which occurred in the past. // I met Rachel on my Maya adventure to Belize last summer. She is Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, at Washington State University. Rachel is a real wonder woman and her recent paper on Belizean lithics was published by Cambridge University Press. I covered that paper in the April Aztlander.

1 hour 14 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXnG4o_UnV0

Reflective Transformation Imaging Reveals the Hidden Past at Izapa

17 Dec 2023

With Dr. Jason Jones and Dennis R. Lisonbee. // The wealth of data preserved in Izapa’s incredible sculptural contextual record is truly astounding. It expands the understanding of the origins and rise of Mesoamerican antiquities and civilizations in most intriguing ways. The wealth of data preserved in Izapa’s incredible sculptural contextual record is truly astounding. It expands the understanding of the origins and rise of Mesoamerican antiquities and civilizations in most intriguing ways. // Dr. Jason Jones is the pioneer and world’s leading authority on hybrid manufacturing – integrating Additive Manufacturing (AM) with mainstream CNC machines. He is the co-founder and CEO of Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies. // Dennis Lisonbee is an Associate Professor at Utah Valley University. He is an award-winning Director, Producer, Writer, Musician, and a big part of the Ancient America Foundation. Dennis has worked in the media business for over forty years and has been an active part of the business as it transitioned from analogue to digital. He has worked on a network series, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams for NBC, produced and directed National PBS specials, directed the feature 2 Catch 2, directed hundreds of documentaries, corporate and educational productions, and sports broadcasts. His international experience includes productions shot in Fiji, Tonga, Hawaii, Guatemala, Mexico, and Europe.

1 hour 12 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXzD_OEIY5c

Calakmul, the Snake Kingdom, and the Chenes Region with Zac Lindsey

22 Nov 2024

Zac loves to share complex scientific ideas with general audiences in a way that is entertaining, complete, and painless. After ten years as a journalist, a life-changing trip to Teotihuacan in central Mexico drove him to make a career pivot. He returned to school for archaeology in 2014. Since then, he’s done field work in Belize at sites including Cahal Pech and Blue Creek, cataloged and archived ceramics, and translated historic documents related to the settlement of Texas and the Lucha Social Maya (Caste War) in Yucatan. // He lives in the Yucatan Peninsula with his wife and daughter, where he studies the contemporary Maya language and people. He’s visited more than forty archaeological sites in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. This rich background makes him a lively guide with knowledge of off-the-beaten-track places all over the Yucatan Peninsula. // Zac is leading a tour of the Mayalands, February 7 through the 15th, on behalf of Ed Barnhart of the Maya Exploration Center. Zac will lead you to 10 archaeological sites, including Calakmul, Dzibanche, and Balam Ku, plus two historical sites, 1 museum, and the Lake of Seven Colors – Bacalar. Zac will offer three lectures during the tour, especially about the Snake Kingdom.

35 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1WVMzo3D6g

In My Grown-Up Headdress: Childhood and Becoming in Ancient Maya Art

Apr 16, 2025

with Zach Lindsey: Independent Researcher, Creative Writer, Board Member of the Institute of Maya Studies, and Maya Tour Guide with the Maya Research Center

Although they’re rare in Classic Maya art, children likely represented about 25% of the population at any given time. Thus, understanding the role of childhood in Classic Maya culture is essential to understanding the Classic Maya people. Here, we’ll talk about the most noble and dramatic forms of childhood portrayed in ancient art – Elite heirs and young rulers portrayed in stone iconography. Nothing is by accident in the complex propaganda suites employed by Classic Maya rulers.

After a general overview of what we know about childhood in the ancient Maya world, and more specifically among elites, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Temple of the Sun tablet at Palenque, Lintel 2 at Yaxchilan, and Stela 3 at Piedras Negras to see what they can tell us about not just childhood but its use in elite propaganda in the Classic era. In these works, we’ll see how dynasties facing instability and uncertainty used images of childhood to imply stability throughout time.

2 hours 20 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK86xnf1c8g

The Izapa Restoration Project featuring Dennis R. Lisonbee

3 Aug 2022

“The Izapa Restoration Project: Utilizing Virtual Reality and 3-D Animation” featuring Dennis R. Lisonbee. Let’s walk around and fly around, and all the while explore Izapa, the ancient site where scholars believe the Maya calendars originated. Dennis Lisonbee is an award-winning Director, Producer, Writer, Musician (the Legendary Mustangs), a big part of the Ancient America Foundation, and an Associate Professor at Utah Valley University. Dennis has worked in the media business for over forty years and has been an active part of the business as it transitioned from analogue to digital. He has worked on a network series, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams for NBC, produced and directed National PBS specials, directed the feature 2 Catch 2, directed hundreds of documentaries, corporate and educational productions, and sports broadcasts. His international experience includes productions shot in Fiji, Tonga, Hawaii, Guatemala, Mexico, and Europe.

58 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyZl6Vdh9Dk

Early Mesoamerican Cities - Urbanism and Urbanization in the Preclassic Period, with Michael W. Love

5 May 2022

Dr. Michael W. Love is a Professor in the Anthropology department at California State University – Northridge. He just released a book, edited by he and Julia Guernsey; the same title as his program. Michael’s principal interests are in Mesoamerica, the development of social complexity, and household archaeology. His research to date has concentrated on the Pacific coast region of Guatemala and investigating the early complex societies found there during the Preclassic period.

1 hour 20 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGwsd4Ku7T0

Non-Maya Glyphs at Chichen Itza, with Dr. Bruce Love

23 Jan 2022

For more than a century it’s been known that there are symbols or glyphs associated with certain carvings at Chichen Itza that are not in the Maya traditional writing system. The vast majority of the Chichen glyphs do not match any other known writing system in Mesoamerica and are uniquely Chichen-style glyphs. This Zoom presentation is about these glyphs and the catalog that describes them. Catalog available at www.brucelove.com.

1 hour 32 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfmmn4SrPMQ

A Cave for All Seasons - Naj Tunich Cave, Peten, Guatemala, with Barbara MacLeod

20 Nov 2021

Naj Tunich ‘House of Stone’ in Mopan Maya, came to the attention of the archaeology world in 1980 via a National Geographic article documenting an astonishing corpus of painted images and dated hieroglyphic texts. For four decades, Barbara MacLeod has been an independent academic and an active contributor to the field of Maya epigraphy, specializing in linguistic approaches to decipherment. Host: Jim Reed.

3 hours 15 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grfWCfSsAqU

A Maya Tropical-Year Agricultural Cult in Naj Tunich Cave, with Dr. Barbara Macleod

16 Nov 2024

Naj Tunich Cave is famous for its Classic-period paintings of dated hieroglyphic texts and human ritualists. Half of these texts were positioned in the last three months of the Maya ha'ab and often named visiting lords from distant cities. The other half were agricultural, featuring rites for the growing and maturing maize, dating between the first solar zenith of early May and the harvest celebration of mid-November, and named local practitioners. The timing and punctuation were exactly as the Swiss ethnographer Rafael Girard has documented for the agrarian season of the Ch'orti' Maya of Guatemala in the mid-20th century. // These rites would have been normal seasonal practice in caves, temples, and in milpas, but in the precarious eighth century, they were also a stress response to the increasingly delayed or scanty rains leading up to that major drought of the Terminal Classic. It was important that high-status lords attend and document them – an otherwise rare phenomenon in caves. // This presentation will offer an introduction to the region, the cave, and its paintings, and will focus on the texts of the agrarian season and its governing astronomy, including a solar tropical-year almanac based on a year of 365.2422 days which determined the intervals between these rituals.

2 hours 14 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYKaMls8Vbs

“The South Plaza of the Initial Series Group at Chichen Itza” with Nelda Issa Marengo Camacho

Mar 13, 2025

The Initial Series Group at Chichen Itza is located south of the Nunnery complex. This fully excavated elite complex is unique, and its iconography has garnered significant scholarly attention since the first archaeological explorations at the site. In the early 1990s, the Chichen Itza Project, led by Peter Schmidt, initiated a systematic project in the area. After a hiatus in field seasons, the project resumed in 2019 and more recently in 2023 under the federal “PROMEZA”, where José Osorio León and Francisco Pérez Ruiz extended Schmit’s legacy. In this presentation, I will share some of the key findings from these recent excavations, particularly those from the 2019 season, focused on the South Plaza of the group. These excavations have contributed significantly to our understanding of the site’s construction sequence and have revealed important aspects of ritual violence. This is an Aztlander presentation hosted by Jim Reed. // Nelda Issa Marengo Camacho is the Executive Director of the Boundary End Archaeology Research Center, a collaborator of the Chichen Itza Project led by José Osorio and Francisco Pérez from INAH, and a participant of the INAH project: Use of archaeometry techniques in the study of rock art in the Selva Lacandona, Chiapas. Her research interests encompass biocultural practices, posthumous treatments, and ritual violence in the Chichen Itza region, and the Zoque area. Additionally, Dr. Marengo is dedicated to outreach activities and fostering local conversations. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of California – Riverside and her Licenciatura at the Universidad de las Américas, Puebla, Mexico. Nelda is the author or co-author of several scholarly articles, conference presentations, book chapters, and co-editor of the book: When the East Meets West: Chichen Itza, Tula, and the Postclassic Mesoamerican World.

1 hour 27 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWxgDKjiuDQ

“Maya Ceremony and the Sacred Site of Izapa” with Cheryl Norman

15 January 2025

Izapa, a Mixe-Zoque site, is an archaeological zone located in the State of Chiapas close to the Guatemala border in the beautiful tropical lowlands that run along the Pacific coast. The site is considered to be a bridge between the Olmec and Maya civilizations. It is the largest site in the south of Chiapas, and it is here that some researchers believe that the sacred 260-day ritual calendar was developed. It is dated from the Late Preclassic (300 BCE–250 CE. It incorporates many aspects of the Olmec culture, though other elements are purely Izapa-style in nature. Among the monuments excavated are 89 stelae, 61 altars, and 3 thrones. // My late husband, Garth Norman, one of the foremost scholars in the field of Preclassic Mesoamerican studies, worked at Izapa for 45 years and is credited with making many important observations, including very early calendar dates carved in stone. I have visited the site of Izapa many times with Garth, and lately, to be a part of many important Maya ceremonies.

The Olmecs, who were astronomers, traded south from Veracurz through the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to Izapa. Located at 14.8 degrees latitude, Izapa has two Sun Zenith Passage Dates – on August 13 and April 30 – with 260 days between the dates. The Tzolk'in is re-birthed! // Cheryl Norman is Executive Director of the Ancient America Foundation and Board Member of The Maya Conservancy.

1 hour 17 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCsPPBn36j4

"Modern Maya Magic" with Solomon Pakal

Jul 11, 2025

“Modern Maya Magic: Divination, Thaumaturgy, and Theurgy Maintained and Expanded by Diasporic Maya Communities” with Solomon Pakal. // Far from the romanticized portrayals of ancient Maya civilization frozen in time, contemporary Maya magical practices continue to evolve and flourish within diasporic communities across the Americas. This presentation explores how Maya practitioners have not only preserved their ancestral traditions but have actively expanded and refined them through cross-cultural engagement, academic research integration, and adaptive innovation. // Drawing from firsthand experience within a Kaqchikel family tradition, this talk examines three primary domains of Maya magical practice: divination (the art of perceiving hidden knowledge), thaumaturgy (practical magic for material outcomes), and theurgy (mystical practices for spiritual elevation). Unlike the widely documented Daykeeper traditions focused on calendar maintenance, this presentation reveals alternative currents within Maya practice that emphasize planetary influences, sophisticated ritual techniques, and integration with contemporary scholarly discoveries. // The discussion will address how diasporic Maya communities have leveraged economic mobility, educational access, and cultural exchange to deepen their understanding of ancestral practices. Attendees will learn how archaeological findings and anthropological research serve not merely as historical curiosities but as practical tools for enhancing traditional magical operations. The presentation demonstrates how ancient wisdom systems can be strengthened rather than diminished by modern knowledge, creating hybrid approaches that maintain cultural authenticity while embracing innovative applications.

1 hour 15 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB45QLpyR2Q

La Ruta Maya Foundation with Sofía Paredes-Maury

27 December 2024

“There’s nothing I love more than to work with Precolumbian collections that need to be documented and registered to make them available for research and the public. La Ruta Maya is one of the collections I have inventoried and documented so it could be registered at the Cultural Property Register (Registro de Bienes Culturales), however I was given the opportunity to administrate it and give it a purpose. Although this collection lacks archaeological context, as many others, its nature is completely different as any other private collection.” La Ruta Maya Foundation is the only private organization that promotes the recovery and the return of Precolumbian artifacts to Guatemala. // Our mission is to recover, preserve, and study the cultural heritage of Mesoamerica, and through interpretive exhibitions, share these artifacts with researchers and the public. // We support educational programs through loans to museums and universities, we collaborate with academic publications, and we participate with conferences in various events about the rich cultural heritage of Guatemala. // Sofía Paredes-Maury studied Archaeology at the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and holds a Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies and Caribbean & Latin American Studies from New York University, including studies from the Ancient Civilizations program at NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts (IFA), and interning at several museums. // Sofía is part of the Board of Directors of the Association of Private Nature Reserves of Guatemala (ARNPG) to date and has participated in organizations such as Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza, La Aurora National Zoo, Balam Association, Association of Museums of Guatemala (AMG) and the International Council of Museums (ICOM). Since 2007, she has been the executive director of La Ruta Maya Foundation, an entity dedicated to the recovery and repatriation of archaeological pieces for the purposes of custody, preservation, research, and exhibition to the public for educational purposes.

2 hours 27 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOhHFhKcl0w

Classic Maya Merchant-Sorcerers and the Transformation of Mesoamerican Civilization after Collapse

23 January 2025

With Dr. John M.D. Pohl, California State University – Los Angeles. // John Pohl will examine how a Late Classic subordinate class of merchant – sorcerers essentially rejected Classic Maya rulership and its writing system and introduced an entirely new order of governance together with a new international communication system that transformed Mesoamerica from the Greater American Southwest to Central America. (This is cutting-edge information folks, enjoy the show. The Q&A is really interesting.) // John M.D. Pohl is an archaeologist who specializes in the ancient art and writing of the Zapotec, Mixtec and Nahua civilizations of southern Mexico. He is noted for bringing the ancient past to life using a wide variety of innovative skills while teaching with the departments of Anthropology, Art History, and Chicana(o) Studies at Cal State LA. His background in archaeology, art history, and media production have taken him from feature film and television production to museum exhibition development with the Getty Villa Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Princeton University Museum of Art, and the Museum of the Cherokee People among other institutions. He has published numerous books and articles including “Exploring Mesoamerica” and “The Legend of Lord Eight Deer”, both with Oxford University Press. Together with Michael Mathiowetz, he is co-editor of the newly released volume: “Reassessing the Aztatlán World” for the University of Utah Press.

2 hours 32 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iGCxZOSV5o

Cacao and Jade - The Diffusion of the Calendars Along Maya Preclassic Trade routes with Jim Reed

14 Jul 2022

With all new visuals and new elaborate maps, newsletter editor Jim Reed tells the story of Cacao and Jade and its influence on Mesoamerica across the millennia. Dedicated to Mary Lou Ridinger, the queen of jade herself. Featuring original background guitar music by Belizean glyph artist Frank Dzib and original background flute music by famous Belizean musician Pablo Collado.

45 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvN1qXpGWIk

“Exploring the Maya Underworld” with Jim Reed

26 Jul 2024

Jim Reed is an Independent Researcher, Editor/Creator of The Aztlander, Editor/Creator of the Institute of Maya Studies’ IMS Explorer newsletter, and a Board Member of the IMS and The Maya Conservancy. //

The piecing together of ancient Maya mythology and cosmology, whatever difficulties it may involve, is not the utterly impossible challenge it once may have seemed. Broad new insights often seem to manifest themselves almost overnight. In a field of inquiry to which only social anthropologists and ethnohistorians seemed capable of making much of a contribution, we find new insights being provided by iconographers, epigraphers, linguists, archaeoastronomers, and even dirt archaeologists (intro by Barbara MacLeod). // In this totally new PowerPoint presentation, I bring together aspects of several of these fields, with the intention of shedding some new light on the still only dimly perceived Underworld of the ancient Maya. The Hero Twins left Xibalba and climbed back up to the surface of the Earth. They continued up into the sky, becoming the Sun, and the Moon. Now that the Sun and Moon were in the sky and illuminated the Earth, the Creator Gods created the final form of human beings using white and yellow corn. Maize is the precious substance that ultimately succeeds in producing true, and enduring, humans.

1 hour 27 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKnO5tsLHbk

Maximón - Maya cultural hero in the navel of the world, with Jim Reed

19 Nov 2021

Dressed somewhat like Maximón, Jim Reed presents a new zoom program. Maximón is said to represent both light and dark, and to be a trickster. Maximón is venerated in the form of an effigy or cult image. Worship varies greatly by location. In Santiago Atitlán, Maximón's effigy resides in a different household every year. His image is normally only taken out of this house during Holy Week, whereafter it will change households, but is on display year-round due to the popularity of pilgrimages. Jim shares the history and cultural aspects this special cult hero and also recounts a few of his personal encounters with Maximón.

1 hour 23 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTpVFPoMz2o

Middle Preclassic Excavations at Pacbitun 2022

12 Oct 2022

Pacbitun is a Maya archaeological site located in the Cayo District of west central Belize. It lies approximately 21 kilometers south of Cayo’s capital, San Ignacio, and is about three kilometers east of San Antonio village where young glyph artist Frank Tzib lives. In fact, I visited the site with Frank and both of his parents. // Pacbitun is a medium-sized site located along the southern rim of the Belize River Valley region. It is situated in the foothills of the Maya Mountains at the juncture of two contrasting ecozones: the tropical rain forest and the Mountain Pine Ridge. // Pacbitun was inhabited for almost 2000 years, from ca. 900 BCE to 900 CE. It was first settled during the Middle Preclassic period as a small farming community likely drawn to the fertile soils, numerous tributaries, and diverse resources. The epicenter slowly expanded throughout the Classic period and eventually had over 40 masonry constructions, including temple-pyramids, “palace-like” range buildings, a ballcourt, five plazas, two lengthy causeways, and a number of smaller courtyard groups. The epicenter is also marked by the remains of 20 stelae and altars, three of which exhibited traces of carved Mayan hieroglyphic writing. These physical manifestations are clear indicators of a ranked society and an emerging elite class. // The 2022 excavations at Pacbitun, including Middle Preclassic house mounds dating back to 800 BCE, were back-filled the afternoon of the day we were there. You’ll only see them here! [Video created by Reed, with Sheldon Scaggs giving an on-site tour of the site.]

42 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZchmMrUFuqU

"The Maya Creation Center in Orion" with Jim Reed

14 December 2024

The winter months are fast approaching. It is my favorite time of the year, not because of the holidays or snuggling up in a warm bed, it’s because this time of the year, Orion is making its appearance in the nightly skies above us. The area where we see Orion was the most important creation center to the Maya. // Orion is one of the most beautiful and striking constellations in the whole night sky. Furthermore, it is located on the celestial equator meaning it can be viewed from all across the Earth. It is therefore not surprising that it has captivated the attention of peoples throughout history, and features prominently in the histories of ancient Sumer, Babylon, Egypt, Greece, the Maya, and many other great civilizations. As in the Heavens, so also on Earth; for the Maya, the three hearthstones in Orion represent a place of origin, foundation, center, beginning, and source for all that follows. The planting of the three stones described in the Popol Vuh, the Maya’s creation myth, can be likened to the building of a new home for humankind. // Learn about what is so important this time of the year in the nighttime skies above you.

1 hour 8 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqMZv0klTMY

Getting to know Frank Tzib - Belizean Ambassador of the Maya

13 Nov 2022

Getting to know Frank Tzib. This 21-year-old has already made a huge mark in the field of Maya studies. He is a glyph artist and was featured in the PBS special: “Ancient Maya Metropolis” with his recreation of the famous Komkom Vase. Frank is the Belizean “Ambassador of the Maya”. I visited with Frank for five days in June. Together, we visited the Maya sites of Xunantunich, El Pilar, Pacbitun, and Baking Pot (where archaeologists discovered pieces of the Komkom Vase). We meet the archaeologists involved in the 2022 excavations, Jaime Awe (Xunantunich and Baking Pot), Anabel Ford (El Pilar), and Terry Powis & Sheldon Skaggs (Pacbitun). In this video documentary, you can get to know Frank, his involvement with the PBS special, his artistic creations on ceramics, in wood, paintings on canvas, and his second love: slate. Frank was involved with the glyphs depicted on the special stela erected for the 40th anniversary of Belizean independence, working together with the well-known Christophe Helmke, and Sylvia Batty of Belize’s National Institute of Culture and History (NICH). // Frank helped to construct a giant thatch roof structure where his family can highlight their family out-reach program of preparing Maya food. His mother, sisters, and father prepare us a special Maya meal of Pollo Escabache, Coconut Fritters, a Tomato/Peanut garnish, fresh Lemonade, and of course, hand-made Tortillas. Frank plays three songs on the guitar, including the instrumental that runs throughout in the background of the video. Towards the end, you’ll see Frank’s presentation for this year’s American Heritage Network symposium where he teaches about Maya glyphs. You’ll be hearing a lot more about Frank Tzib in the future… Get to know him now.

55 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uoe_wAQXypI

The Life of Yax Kuk Mo: Mover and Shaker in the Maya World with Janice Van Cleve

27 Apr 2024

Yax Kuk Mo was the king of Copan who founded a dynasty that lasted through 15 successors for the next 400 years. If that was not enough, there are clues that he had a very active and multi-faceted career before he even got to Copan. Following these clues was an exercise in connecting the dots – and some of the gaps between dots leave us wondering. I started on this journey doing some simple math, based on the forensic analysis of his remains in the Hunal tomb. The analysis concluded that he died in 437 at an age between 55 and 70 and his childhood began in the central Peten. This Aztlander program is hosted by Jim Reed. // Janice Van Cleve is an independent writer and researcher with a long list of publications including Eighteen Rabbit: The Intimate Life and Tragic Death of a Maya God-King, The Kings of Copan in their Own Words, Incidents of Travel in Mesoamerica, Maya Investigations Vol. 1, Tikal Turning Point, and articles in The Aztlander and the IMS Explorer. She was invited as a guest lecturer on the 8 Batz tour of 2010, is a member of IMS, and supporter of the Copan Maya Foundation, Mayas for Ancient Mayan, and the Archaeological Conservancy.

1 hour 16 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khp7CFZHqZ8

“Newly Discovered Masterpieces - Ancient Maya Figurine Molds” with Mark Van Stone

16 Dec 2022

“My Maya molds project began as a simple descriptive catalog but expanded into a 440-page investigation into the surprising role figurines played in Maya society. From the beginning, I have been charmed by their deeply democratic aspect: The vast majority of Maya art we admire – jade, stelae, inscriptions, painted vases, books, mantles, palaces – was exclusively the province of elites. But mass-produced figurines were enjoyed by the hoi polloi, the proletariat. Their humanity touches us and connects more directly than most of other Mesoamerican artforms (which often are an acquired taste!). // This was a different presentation than Mark’s Institute of Maya Studies program in September 2022. He switched it up and showed other chapters from his book Maya Mold Made. // Mark Van Stone is a lifelong autodidact, netsuke carver in Japan, clay-animator, Guggenheim Fellow, with a Ph.D. in Maya Hieroglyphs (UT-Austin). A gamma-ray astronomy tech with a BA in Physics, then a calligrapher, carver, and paleographer, Mark is now professor of Art History. Mark’s most recent book, Maya Mold Made (with co-author Paul Johnson), is a catalog of Ancient Maya ceramic molds and an investigation into the function of Maya figurines. // This event was hosted by Jim Reed.

1 hour 51 minutes

Link, Title, and Description

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z7GtWIAWb8

Computing Similarity Networks of Maya Glyphs from 3D Data

Authors: Hubert Mara, Bartosz Bogacz, Felix Feldmann, Christian Prager

Presenter: Hubert Mara

16 Oct 2020

Motivated by the demands for compilation of a text-database and digital dictionary of Classic Mayan (http://mayawoerterbuch.de), we are developing an approach to compute and visualize similarity of 3D-digitized Maya hieroglyphs. The glyphs are typically arranged within a squared block consisting of three or four signs arbitrarily deformed and attached to a larger main sign. These signs vary in shape and design considerably, preventing an easy and complete decipherment. Instead of photographs and manual drawings we compute visualizations of 3D-measurement data using the GigaMesh Software Framework (https://gigamesh.eu) to maximize readability. Those images serve as input for a machine learning pipeline. Maya glyphs and parts thereof are segmented with projection profiles and a random walker approach based on the curvature of the 3D surface. The retrieved sub-glyphs are (i) firstly clustered into a set of common sizes and (ii) secondly clustered hierarchically based on a Histogram of Gradients similarity descriptor. Distances and connections derived from the clusters are visualized in a force-directed network. The results correspond very well to the hitherto manual established sign classifications within the traditional research and enable a critical discussion about glyph similarity. The resultant quantitative measure of similarity will support the objective compilation, indexing and sorting of about 1.000 known signs based on their morphology. Future work will integrate more recent methods like convolutional neural networks, which is a challenging task due to the relative[ly] few and short texts distributed over time and geographical area.

15 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuAAY5gnMyE

Christian Prager & Cristina Vertan: Machines Reading and Deciphering Maya Hieroglyphs

16 Apr 2021

Machines Reading and Deciphering Maya Hieroglyphs - Towards a Digital Epigraphy of Maya Hieroglyphic Writing. // Christian Prager (Bonn), Cristina Vertan (Hamburg). // Digital Classicist London, April 16, 2021. // Maya script is the only readable writing system of the Americas, consisting of 1000 morphograms and phonograms and used from 300 B.C. to 1500. Only partially deciphered, it is the subject of the project "Text Database and Dictionary of Classic Mayan". The 10,000 texts are made accessible using digital methods and technologies and documented in XML/TEI, using a digital sign catalogue. Due to the uncertain state of decipherment, it is not possible to directly record hieroglyphic texts in phonemically transliterated values, unlike Classical epigraphic projects. We transliterate texts using numerical sign codes from the catalog. The numerical transliteration is transformed into a textual form in 10 steps, with variants possible at each step. As none of the digital tools available meet our need to scale this complex process, we developed ALMAH "Annotator for the Linguistic Analysis of Maya Hieroglyphs," allowing the semi-automatic generation of a phonemic transliteration from the numerical and enables multi-level annotation and linguistic analysis of Maya texts. The transcriptions are accepted, rejected, or revised in further steps. Alternative readings can be entered, multiple decipherment proposals can be worked on in parallel, and the hieroglyphic texts can be analysed and translated with alternative proposals. ALMAH uses a graph-data model, reads data from the TEI-Repository, and saves the annotated texts into an instance of OrientDB. It has a friendly user-interface and will be available as open-source software. We present the data model and functionality, and the underlying TEI schema allowing to encode Maya hieroglyphic texts formally and semantically. // The project Textdatenbank und Wörterbuch des Klassischen Maya (TWKM), directed by Nikolai Grube & coordinated by Christian Prager, run since 2014, is supported by the North-Rhine Westphalian Academy of the Sciences & the Arts in Düsseldorf, the Union of the German Academies of Sciences & Humanities, Berlin, & University of Bonn. The following research associates & partners have been instrumental in the project & made significant contributions: Maximilian Behnert-Brodhun (MB) (development, IT), Katja Diederichs (KD) (metadata, image archives), Franziska Diehr (FD) (metadata) (2014-17), Sven Gronemeyer (SG) (epigraphy, linguistics, metadata, ALMAH) (2014-20), Antje Grothe (AG) (metadata, image archive, literature), Guido Krempel (GK) (epigraphy, metadata), Tobias Mercer (TM) (development, design), Uwe Sikora (US) (metadata) (2018), Céline Tamignaux (CT) (2016-19) (image archive), Cristina Vertan (CV) (ALMAH), Elisabeth Wagner (EW) (epigraphy, iconography, metadata).

1 hour 25 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHoY9iQLQuI

Digital Classicist Seminar Berlin (2016/2017) - Seminar 5

21 Mar 2017

Dr. Christian Prager (University of Bonn). // Of Codes, Glyphs and Kings: Tasks, Limits and Approaches in the Encoding of Classic Maya Hieroglyphic Inscriptions // The subject of the project ["Text Database and Dictionary of Classic Mayan"] (www.mayadictionary.de) is an incompletely deciphered, complex writing system, which the project aims to decipher with the aid of digital tools and to describe its underlying language in a dictionary. For these purposes, the hieroglyphic texts are being made machine-readable and saved in a text database with analysis and commentary. In addition, the Classic Mayan language is being represented in its original orthography in a web-based dictionary, allowing users to compare the content with its analysis. Until now, no project in the realm of digital writing systems research has demonstrated comparable standards, goals, and qualifications, or could serve as a model for conceptualizing and developing our database. When developing their databases, research projects in Greek, Latin, or ancient Egyptian epigraphy are not faced with the same challenge of their respective writing systems and the corresponding languages being only partially or not at all deciphered. The project's goal is to use the digital tools currently under development to compile and register newly classified signs in sign lists, make the texts machine-readable, discern readings, and document the vocabulary in its original orthography. The innovative character of our project requires flexible management when developing the digital infrastructure and deploying financial resources, as well as methodical groundwork to develop working concepts that will be useful over the long term. The project’s outcomes will ultimately include the development of new tools, methods, and standards in digital research on ancient writing systems and even the digital humanities as a whole, in addition to the content it produces about the Maya script. [Introduction in German but presentation in English.]

1 hour 20 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7GIMTQ65tg

Die digitale Erforschung der Mayaschrift - Wege und Grenzen digitaler Inschriftenforschung

23 Jan 2020

Alte Welt neu formatiert. Altertumswissenschaftliche Forschung im Zeitalter des digitalen Wandels. // Vortrag von Dr. Christian Prager, Mitarbeiter am Institut für Archäologie und Kulturanthropologie an der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn und Koordinator des Akademievorhabens Textdatenbank und Wörterbuch des Klassischen Maya, im Rahmen der Ringvorlesung „Alte Welt neu formatiert. Altertumswissenschaftliche Forschung im Zeitalter des digitalen Wandels“ des Berliner Antike-Kollegs im Wintersemester 2019/2020 an der Freien Universität Berlin. // Die Altertumswissenschaften haben sich in den letzten Jahren im Zuge der digitalen Transformation entscheidend verändert. Der rasant voranschreitende technologische Fortschritt eröffnet bisher unbekannte Möglichkeiten bei der Erforschung der Alten Welt. Neue Instrumente und innovative Methoden durchdringen mittlerweile alle Bereiche der altertumswissenschaftlichen Wissensproduktion, der Wissensverarbeitung und der Wissensvermittlung. Ihr Einsatz reicht von der Entwicklung und dem Ausbau elektronischer Informationssysteme und Datenbanken über die IT-basierte Aufnahme archäologischer Baubestände und deren dreidimensionale Rekonstruktion bis hin zur virtuellen Rekontextualisierung von Objekten durch digitale Anwendungen in Museen. // Die Vortragsreihe widmet sich einem der größten gesellschaftlichen Themen unserer Zeit. Aus Perspektive verschiedener Disziplinen stellt sie Auswirkungen vor, die die Zunahme IT-basierter Prozesse und digitaler Technologien für die altertumswissenschaftliche Forschung bisher genommen hat, und beleuchtet gleichzeitig deren Chancen und Herausforderungen. [Google Translate: Old World reformatted. Classical studies research in the age of digital change. // Lecture by Dr. Christian Prager, employee at the Institute for Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn and coordinator of the academy project text database and dictionary of the Classic Maya, as part of the lecture series “Old World Reformatted. Ancient Studies Research in the Age of Digital Change” of the Berliner Antike-Kolleg in the winter semester 2019/2020 at the Free University of Berlin. // Classical studies have changed significantly in recent years as a result of digital transformation. Rapid technological progress is opening up previously unknown possibilities for exploring the Old World. New instruments and innovative methods now permeate all areas of ancient science knowledge production, knowledge processing and knowledge transfer. Their use ranges from the development and expansion of electronic information systems and databases to the IT-based recording of archaeological buildings and their three-dimensional reconstruction to the virtual recontextualization of objects through digital applications in museums. // The lecture series is dedicated to one of the biggest social issues of our time. From the perspective of various disciplines, she presents the impact that the increase in IT-based processes and digital technologies has had on ancient studies research, and at the same time sheds light on their opportunities and challenges.]

1 hour 8 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6VBF0ud4u0

SCRIBO - The study of Maya Hieroglyphic writing in the digital era: a work report - Christian Prager

31 Jul 2020

"SCRIBO: Seminars on Scripts in Bologna" is a series broadcast live via streaming with Guest Speakers from all over the world, who talk about the invention of writing, the relationship between scripts and icons, and current progress in the understanding of undeciphered scripts. Its scope is enriched by contributions from fields such as archaeology, anthropology, linguistics, cognitive studies, and semiotics.

SCRIBO is sponsored by the INSCRIBE (Invention of Scripts and their Beginnings) ERC Project (https://site.unibo.it/inscribe/en/eve...) and is held at the Department of Classical Philology and Italian Studies (FICLIT) at the University of Bologna.

2 hours 8 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzAx4_DWIaA

Dr Christian Prager - Visual Iconographic Dimension of Maya Hieroglyphic Writing

8 Aug 2019

[Exploring the Social and Cultural Contexts of Historic Writing Systems - CREWS Conference 2019]

The subject of my talk is the written language of the Classic Maya. Maya hieroglyphic writing is a mixed logo-morphographic system that was used between 300 BC and 1600 AD. The sign inventory comprises around 800 elements depicting figurative and abstract objects from the natural environment and material culture, human and animal body parts, heads of humans and animals or portraits of supernaturals, among others. Texts, often associated with images and scenes, survived on more than 10,000 monuments, architectural elements, or portable objects. To create a hieroglyphs text signs were “squeezed and stacked” into quadratic or rectangular blocks, the basic structural unit of a Classic Mayan text usually corresponding to the emic concept of a word. Blocks were arranged in double columns, read from left to right and from top to bottom. The elements within a block can be subdivided into main and small graphs, with the main graphs being spatially larger and approximately square in shape, and the small graphs being attached to the periphery of the main characters and oriented along their vertical or horizontal axis. These writing principles are consistent throughout the history of Maya writing, but texts and signs have a high degree of complexity and variation.

30 minutes

Link, Title, and Description

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh2D1d2gqzk

Life in the Classic Maya Period - Majesty and Beauty

21 Apr 2023

The Maya Classic period is widely considered the golden age of the ancient Maya and saw incredible achievements in art, architecture, and science. Let’s explore what made this time period so brilliant and why the classic period continues to fascinate the scholars and public today. [AA = “Ancient Americas”, YouTube channel.]

44 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvLs3gDLCOI

The Decipherment of Maya Script

23 Jun 2020

Why did Maya writing remain undecipherable for so long and how was it finally cracked? Find out how this long enigmatic script was finally deciphered and how centuries of recorded Maya history were unlocked. [AA = “Ancient Americas”, YouTube channel.]

22 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpwqq4qIo8o

The History of Maya Cities - Part 1

31 May 2023

The lowland Maya left us hundreds of written inscriptions that recount the history of their cities, their kings, and their wars. Let's explore this history in the first of three episodes. [AA = “Ancient Americas”, YouTube channel.]

44 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjchs21DrG4

The History of Maya Cities: Part 2

26 Oct 2023

The late classic is widely considered the epitome of Maya culture and the history of this period is no less exciting. It was a time full of rises and falls, great kings and kings and conquests and betrayals. [AA = “Ancient Americas”, YouTube channel.]

57 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9E_eXE33JE

The Mesoamerican Calendar

18 Mar 2020

Ancient Mesoamerica had one of the most incredible calendars ever devised. Discover how they created and used this calendar to track their history and the cosmos. [AA = “Ancient Americas”, YouTube channel.]

18 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktIL-uc2Kuw

The Popol Vuh - The Maya Story of Creation

1 Feb 2021

Explore the Maya story of creation as recorded by the K'iche Maya and see how the Maya saw the world around them. [AA = “Ancient Americas”, YouTube channel.]

32 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0wa3TZIlIE

The Rise of the Maya - Preclassic Brilliance

23 Sep 2021

Long before the Classic Period of Maya Civilization, great cities, beautiful art, and powerful kings were emerging in the Maya region. Often overlooked, the Preclassic period saw the Maya create some of their greatest achievements in history and develop critical components of their culture. Discover how the Maya bloomed late but brilliantly. [AA = “Ancient Americas”, YouTube channel.]

27 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV6ZZZsCjK8

Teotihuacan - Where One Becomes a God

11 Jun 2021

The ancient city of Teotihuacan is one of the greatest cities ever constructed in the Americas. It was a city that was remembered by subsequent cultures long after it was abandoned. Because it was never inhabited again, archaeologists can explore the entire city and try to reconstruct the life and history of this magnificent site. Let’s find out what made Teotihuacan such a spectacular city and culture. [AA = “Ancient Americas”, YouTube channel.]

37 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mror2p7qm1o

The Lecture about Maya Toltec History in Chichen Itza, Mexico

3 Jan 2009

Maya Toltec Chichen Itza Kukulkan etc lecture by Pepe1 [A short tourist guide’s on-site explanation about Chichen Itza, including the meaning of its name and other background information. apart33 = YouTube channel.]

10 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX3yKBbBak4

The Jade of Guatemala - Treasures of the Earth - ARTE in English

[NO LONGER AVAILABLE]

27 Sep 2019

Guatemala is one of the few countries in the world where jade is mined. For the descendants of the Mayans, it's an important gem that speaks of spirituality, heritage, and a past that endures. [The documentary begins with an account of the revival of jade mining and carving in Guatemala in the modern age, but also gives a lot of insight into jade in the Classic Maya period, explaining the Cancuen mine and the massacre which ended the Cancuen ruling dynasty. It also shows Tikal and explains the role of jade in Classic Maya culture and society.]

26 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anl5NuxPrXY

An ancient Maya queen, vision serpents, and connections to the gods

28 Aug 2024

Get to know ancient Maya art by looking closely at a stone monument showing a powerful Maya queen dripping in jade ornaments. Her name is Ix Mutal Ahaw. This stone sculpture (called a stela) dates back to 760 CE and was found in the Usumacinta region of Mexico/Guatemala. On display at the De Young Museum in San Francisco, this stela immortalizes the queen as a powerful figure with important divine connections. // She wears elaborate clothing and adornments, including a feathered headdress made of quetzal feathers, and she holds a ceremonial object that looks like a femur bone. The jade connects her to the Maize God. Queen Ix Mutal Ahaw is also experiencing a vision of a serpent and an ancestor, all of which communicate to anyone seeing this that she is powerful. It also increases her family’s power. // Maya art can be incredibly complex—and sometimes overwhelming! This video breaks down the details in this stone monument to explore how Maya rulers used public art, like steles, to publicize their authority and ability to talk to the gods. This video also discusses the importance of jade, the lightning god K’awiil, and the Maize God. Most importantly, it also talks about the important role of women in ancient Maya culture. // This video will appeal to anyone looking for content about women in art, queens, ancient Maya culture, medieval art, portraiture, and the AP Art History 250 materials. [ARTSQ = “ArtsQ”, YouTube channel.] [The monument shown is an exhibit in the De Young Museum, San Francisco, California, USA (from Wikimedia Commons]

10 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGsZ5NmT03s

The Death Mask of the Most Famous Ancient Maya King, Pakal

30 Jan 2024

One of the most amazing archaeological discoveries of the 20th century was the tomb of Pakal, the most famous ancient Maya king known today. Pakal ruled over Palenque (in modern-day Chiapas, Mexico) in the 7th century, and he had his tomb constructed beneath the Temple of the Inscriptions. Inside the tomb was his massive sarcophagus. // Among the many amazing things discovered inside the tomb, Pakal's death mask is surely one of the most remarkable! It's made of pieces of bright green jade. Pakal remains eternally youthful and also transforms into the Maize God! // Watch to learn more about the jade death mask of the most famous ancient Maya king! // Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank // Main artwork: Mask of Pakal, c. 683 CE, jadeite, shell, and obsidian from the tomb of K'inich Janaab' Pakal, Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico (National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City). [ARTSQ = “ArtsQ”, YouTube channel.]

7 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_O0KTU8HjQ

What is a Mesoamerican Screenfold (Codex)?

20 Sep 2024

What is a screenfold codex? // Find out the answer with this short video, part of a series where we break down key terms in art history, archaeology, and history! // This video describes what a Mesoamerican screenfold is. Sometimes called a screenfold "codex," these books are important for our understanding of Mesoamerican history and cultures. Learn how a screenfold is made and read using examples like the ancient Maya Madrid Codex and the Mixtex Codex Nuttal (Tonindeye). [ARTSQ = “ArtsQ”, YouTube channel.]

3 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSyb-nWWDDs

What is a Pectoral in Mesoamerican Art?

22 Oct 2024

What is a pectoral? // This video answers that question using one of the most famous objects from Mesoamerica: a gold Mixtec pectoral from Tomb 7, discovered at the site of Monte Albán in Oaxaca. // This video describes what a pectoral is and how it functions. Pectorals are not unique to Mesoamerican art, but we find examples across the globe. // This short video is part of a series that breaks down key terms in art history, archaeology, and history! [ARTSQ = “ArtsQ”, YouTube channel.]

2 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ikZJmzw44

Caracol with Dr. Awe

3 May 2013

[Jaime Awe gives an overview of Caracol by explaining the site on location.]

21 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzGhfet7Z1Y

Lost King of the Maya - Discovery History Documentary

7 Apr 2017

[Date of documentary is probably much earlier than upload date on YouTube. AW = “Ancient-World”, YouTube channel.]

58 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDYiaDBDxcw

BBC - Spirits of the Jaguar - 1 of 4 - The Forging of a New World

31 Oct 2015

[Nature documentary, not Maya-related.]

48 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLEs7QrgdiE

BBC - Spirits of the Jaguar - 2 of 4 - Forests of the Maya

31 May 2014

Uxmal, Mexico. Reputed to be one of the most beautiful Mayan cities, it holds the only known pyramid with an oval base. The Magician's Pyramid sits on one side of a square noted for its excellent acoustics. Grand terraces offer remarkable views. // Chichen Itza, Mexico. The most famous Mayan city, this was the capital of the second empire, which lasted from about 1000 to 1450. Its enormous pyramids, including the giant Castillo pyramid that houses a jaguar throne, hold remarkable carvings and murals. A nearby cenote, or natural well, was used for human sacrifices to the rain god. // Tulum, Mexico. Between 1200 and 1450, this seacoast city became a major Mayan port and the center of a vast trading network.

Tikal, Guatemala. The largest known Mayan city, Tikal is believed to have been home to more than 55,000 people in the year 700. The 60-square-mile site holds numerous pyramids, shrines, and ball courts, where Mayans played a sometimes-dangerous version of soccer, reportedly using as balls human skulls, which could do serious damage if kicked into an opponent. // Copan, Honduras. A southern outpost of the first Mayan empire, which lasted from 300 to about 900, Copan boasts some of the best-preserved ball courts ever found, along with the longest known Mayan stone inscription. The document has helped archaeologists decode some of the culture's mysterious hieroglyphs. // For a thousand years, they ruled what is today a large part of Mexico and southern Central America. They built huge cities and enormous pyramids that vaulted hundreds of feet into the skies. Then, seemingly in an instant, the Mayan Empire, the focus of the second episode of SPIRITS OF THE JAGUAR, collapsed, leaving thousands of elegant stone carvings hidden in the region's lush tropical forests. Even today, the ancient monuments are still being rediscovered. // The Mayans believed that they were created by gods who added their own blood to flour made from corn, a plant native to their Central American homelands. Thus, they were children of the corn, and along with gods personified by the fierce jaguar and the life-giving rain, they worshipped the tall grass that fed them. // In fact, it was their skill as farmers that allowed the Mayans to prosper. Reliable crops of corn, squash, and beans provided enough food for the Mayan population to grow and for some residents to specialize in new skills, unburdened by the need to tend the fields. Some of these specialists became architects, while others helped push Mayan mathematics and astronomy to remarkable heights. // Today, Mayan cities highlight just how much knowledge this society accumulated at its height 1,200 years ago. Ornate wall carvings are actually astonishingly detailed calendars that can still be used to predict eclipses and other astral events. Similarly, massive temples are also astronomical observatories designed to track the movements of the night sky. Windows and doors are perfectly aligned to channel the light of the sun at different times of the year or to highlight a sparkling planet.

 Mayan calendars can still predict eclipses and other astral events. // By necessity, the Mayans were also expert geologists. Each of their great cities is situated next to a cenote, or natural well. The cave water was essential because, although they lived in a tropical forest, fresh surface water was rare. Water from the cenote not only sated the Mayans’ thirst, it also provided irrigation water for their crops when rain was scarce. // Despite their knowledge, however, the Mayans were only human. By 900, political disagreements and civil wars -- together with crop failures, disease, and other natural disasters -- apparently forced the Mayans to abandon many of their great cities. Some fled to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, where they built a new empire ruled from the military citadel of Chichen Itza. But this society also fell in the 1400s, a victim of internal strife and invasion from hostile neighbors. // Though their empire is long gone, the Mayans live on. An estimated 1.5 million to 4.5 million descendants of the Mayans inhabit southern Central America. In Mexico's Yucatan region, many residents still speak Maya languages and wear clothing virtually indistinguishable from that depicted in ancient carvings. And, like their ancestors, they pursue a spiritual life still colored by ancient beliefs in the gods of the corn and the jaguar. In the words of noted local poet Mediz Bolio, many locals may speak in Spanish -- but they think in Mayan.

49 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_dHeYygTw0

Mexico - The Yucatan, Maya Country

3 Sep 2023

The Yucatán peninsula boasts some of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the Americas: the extraordinary Chichen Izta and Uxmal. // The Mayas are a native American people from Central America, founders of a brilliant civilization, which, after a period of very strong growth between the 7th and the 9th century AD, then gradually faded into insignificance. // The Maya civilization extended from the Mexican states of Chiapas and Yucatan, through parts of Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. //

Chichen Itza, voted as one of the new wonders of the world, stands as an eloquent reminder of the former greatness of the Maya civilisation, which has now all but disappeared. // Here we find the great pyramid referred to as « Castillo » by the Spanish conquistadors. From its peak, you can see out over the buildings of the ancient city, the temples, the real tennis courts, and the pigeon houses, as well as the forest. // Uxmal is another ancient Maya city, but this time, dating from the classical period. The architecture is typical of the Puuc style; facades at ground level are kept simple, with more elaborate decorations being kept for the upper levels. // The pyramid and the buildings of Uxmal are extraordinarily charming. // Yucatan also has a number of colonial towns. // The Spanish influence is visible to this day in the architectural style and lay-out of towns such as Mérida, Valladolid, and Isamal. As well as the streets lined with the pastel-coloured houses typical of Yucatán, each town has a central square known as the Zocalo, bordered by the symbolic structures of colonial power, the governor’s palace, the town hall, and the cathedral. // Directed by Jacques VICHET. [BD = “Best Documentary”, YouTube channel.]

52 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7s0as2V0Ws

El Zotz - Lost City of the Bats

28 Nov 2018

The Maya built many cities that even now are reappearing from the jungles of Central America.

16 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtX-h_bpZLw

Jade of the Maya

10 Apr 2019

Guatemala - another video from my trip there, this time looking at the jade in the local museum, plus obsidian, idols, and 1970s fashion tips.

8 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDPNxz3WXTk

TIKAL - Greatest City of the Maya

1 Dec 2021

Here I take you with me on my first day at Tikal, in the jungles of Guatemala. Archaeology, wildlife, strange sounds, and a sunset. The overgrown remains of a stone-age civilisation. [Lindy Beige, English archaeologist.]

40 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0wTeL-I35c

Uaxactun - The Greatest Mayan Observatory

15 Jan 2020

Another one from my trip to Guatemala. Archaeology, hat-wearing, a giant locust, and a demonic pig. What more do you want? [Lindy Beige, English archaeologist.]

24 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWC2jfoESQc

The Amazing Mayan Site of Palenque In Chiapas Mexico

4 Jul 2021

[Video tour of Palenque with commentary. BF = “Brien Foerster”, YouTube channel.]

13 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nhsp26bN8U

La Corona - Is Guatemala Home To A Lost Ancient City? - Quest For The Lost City

3 Mar 2017

A set of inscribed panels carved by the ancient Maya people of Central America inspired Dr Neil Brodie of Cambridge University, an expert on the looting of archaeological treasures, and Mayanist Simone Clifford-Jaegar, to mount an expedition to the jungles of Guatemala. Their mission – to find the lost city from which the stone panels came. Archaeologists have been searching for the mysterious place known as Site Q since the 1960s without success. Quest For The Lost City travels down the Usumacinta River, a site well-travelled by experts; and then deep into the jungle where the explorers find a recently discovered ‘lost city’. Here, the mystery of Site Q takes a surprising and revelatory new turn thanks to a sporting hero named ‘Red Turkey’, a map showing two stones in the jungle clearing, and a Museum Director in Maine... [no further text after ellipsis]

Same documentary as (but 8 seconds behind / ahead of):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUKqpqPI_us

The Search For The Lost Mayan Citadel Of La Carona | Quest For The Lost City | Odyssey

12 Oct 2021

A set of inscribed panels carved by the ancient Maya people of Central America inspired Dr Neil Brodie of Cambridge University, an expert on the looting of archaeological treasures, to mount an expedition to the jungles of Guatemala. Their mission - to find the lost city from which the stone panels came.

Same documentary as (but 1 second behind / ahead of):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc6haEYmCAQ

14 Oct 2021

A set of inscribed panels carved by the ancient Maya people of Central America inspired Dr Neil Brodie of Cambridge University, an expert on the looting of archaeological treasures, and Mayanist Simone Clifford-Jaegar, to mount an expedition to the jungles of Guatemala. Their mission – to find the lost city from which the stone panels came. Archaeologists have been searching for the mysterious place known as Site Q since the 1960s without success. Quest For The Lost City travels down the Usumacinta River, a site well-travelled by experts; and then deep into the jungle where the explorers find a recently discovered ‘lost city’. Here, the mystery of Site Q takes a surprising and revelatory new turn thanks to a sporting hero named ‘Red Turkey’, a map showing two stones in the jungle clearing, and a Museum Director in Maine.

Same documentary as (completely in sync with #2):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjZRts1ovHA

The Ancient Mayan City Lost For Thousands Of Years | Quest For The Lost City | Unearthed History

18 Jul 2023

The archeology world was shook when an ancient stone tablet from a lost Mayan city was discovered on the black market. Where did this tablet come from? Why has nothing else from this city come to light until now? This began a huge search in the jungles of Guatemala for the lost city. // Welcome to Unearthed History -- the home for all things archeological! From ancient Roman ruins to buried medieval mysteries, we'll be bringing you award-winning documentaries that explore the remnants of long-lost civilizations.

Same documentary as:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ISjLCptcQY

The Impossible Task Of Finding A Lost Mayan City | Quest for The Lost City | Real History

3 Jun 2023

In the 1960s, a stone tablet from an ancient Mayan city surfaced in the art market, sparking a new search for an ancient site untouched for thousands of years. The unfortunate looting of the site as well as a dense jungle to search made this quite the undertaking. // Real History is part of the History Hit Network. [RH = “Real History”, a YouTube channel.]

1.      From the “Timeline” channel.

2.      From the “Odyssey” channel.

3.      From the “A Pincn (sic) of History” channel.

4.      From the “Unearthed History” channel.

This is even the same documentary as:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grI8aLn1dx0

But this last is a corrupt copy, being 1 hour 21 minutes long, repeating part of the initial part after 48 minutes and ending abruptly, and with a title which has little connection to the content.

48 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2zfX38lMkM

Xunantunich, Belize - El Castillo & Impressive Mayan City

28 Apr 2020

My report on the Mayan City of Xunantunich in Belize. A modern name based on a legend when the place was discovered. One of the more impressive Mayan Pyramids and a tomb of a Snake King discovered in 2016. Not much on artifacts from here. [CF = “cf-apps7865”, YouTube channel.]

6 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW0rLAX3y-c

The Maya Civilization Explained in 11 Minutes

2 Jun 2020

[Short overview of Classic Maya Civilization. CH = “Captivating History”, YouTube channel.)

11 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLH5sTxXxMU

Palenque - Secrets of the Ancient Maya revealed

27 Apr 2012

[Very short video clip – guided tour of Palenque. CMH = “Canadian Museum of History”, YouTube channel.]

7 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9YwfTerAdA

3. The Mayans - Ruins Among the Trees

9 Apr 2020

In the tropical forests of Central America, vast stone pyramids slowly crumble beneath the trees. // In this episode, we look at that great romantic mystery: the fall of the Classic Maya Civilization. Find out how this great civilization grew up among environmental conditions that no other civilization has ever contended with, learn about the fatal flaws that lay beneath its surface, and what happened after its final, cataclysmic collapse. [Paul Cooper, YouTuber; one out of a series of 17 documentaries on the ends to ancient civilizations.]

1 hour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJmkuezzWCQ

Palenque Archaeological Site 2018 - Mayan Ruins - English - Subtitles - Chiapas Mexico

30 Oct 2018

In this vlog I am exploring the Mayan (Maya) ruins at Palenque (which is a Pueblo Magico) in January of 2018. The Palenque Archeological Site is located in southern Mexico in Chiapas, Mexico. This is a wonderful place to learn about some ancient history of Latin America and this ancient Maya World. // This area of Mexico is very tropic and humid. These Mayan ruins have been very well taken care of and are becoming very popular to visit by tourists visiting Southern Mexico. // You are able to climb on these ruins, something that is being restricted in other parts of Mexico. The archaeology here is amazing! // Here you can see certain structures like a Mayan Temple, Mayan Pyramids and it's all presented in a way where you can get a good feel about Mayan Civilization and the way of life. This area was stunning! // Travel, Adventure and Culture. I'm Josh the Travel Guy, and these are things I love. Thanks for joining the Adventure! // Please note, this video is in English, not Spanish but there are subtitles. I have English Subtitles, French Subtitles and Spanish Subtitles. [DE = “Destination Earth”, YouTube channel.]

13 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfnvQ_vQZuA

The Maya - Lost Cities in the Jungle - Empire Builders - Free Documentary History

20 Aug 2021

Empire Builders - Episode 4: The Maya - Lost Cities in the Jungle - History Documentary. // In this episode of Empire Builders we explore the remarkable history of one of the world’s greatest ancient civilisations, the Maya, travelling through the remote jungles of Central America to discover the extraordinary history of the grandest and most spectacular cities inhabited by the Maya.

50 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4daS6-gT9k

Chichen Itza - Discover the Secrets of the Ancient Maya Metropolis in Mexico

12 Dec 2023

Discover the unique maya site of Chichen Itza in the heart of Mexico and its secrets. // The Maya Civilization, known for its giant pyramids and unprecedented prowess in Math, Astronomy and engineering has baffled historians for centuries. // Today, recent archeological excavations reveal much more about how the Mayas were able to build their cities and pyramids and for what purpose. Thanks to cutting-edge technologies and detailed CGI reconstitutions, this series brings back to life this ancient civilization, their gods and the long-lost secrets of their way of life. [ED = “Easy Documentary”, YouTube channel.]

50 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g0usnZ_0c0

Fall of the Maya Kings Trailer - Arkhaios Film Festival 2024

2 Oct 2024

Join the Florence County Museum and the Arkhaios Cultural Heritage & Archaeology Film Festival for an evening dedicated to film, archaeology, and cultural heritage, on Thursday, October 17, 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Florence County Museum in the Multipurpose Room. Tickets are free. Register using the link below. // This free event will include a reception, lecture, and screening of two short films: Fall of the Maya Kings and Curiosity Trek! Episode 4: "A Submarine Commander's Lucky Charm". // The Arkhaios Film Festival is sponsored by the SC Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA) and the Department of Anthropology of the University of South Carolina, and the Welsch Tract Historic Properties Association, in South Carolina, and in Pennsylvania by the Department of Anthropology of the University of Pittsburgh, and the Allegheny Chapter #1 of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology. [FCM = “Florence County Museum”, YouTube channel.]

1 minute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yDY7qX_Ck8

Amazing Quest - Stories from Guatemala - Somewhere on Earth – Guatemala

27 Jan 2023

[A documentary about modern day Guatemala, with particular emphasis on the Mayan people. FD = “Free Documentary”, YouTube channel.]

52 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO-k5Zkxs8k

Explore the Maya World - Google Arts & Culture

16 Oct 2019

Discover how the British Museum and Google Arts & Culture have teamed up on a preservation project spanning more than 150 years, from 19th-century plaster casts and glass plate photography made in the Mexican jungle to laser scanning and archive scanning at the British Museum. This project encapsulates the museum director’s vision of bringing their vast, previously inaccessible archive of ancient Maya art and language to the world. [GA&C = “Google Arts & Culture”, YouTube channel. Alfred Maudslay’s work explained by Claudia Zehrt, Jago Cooper, Chance Coughenour, Christophe Helmke, and Martha Cuevas. ]

7 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg_cZEpXBiE

Preserving Maya Heritage with The British Museum - Google Arts & Culture

29 Nov 2017

Learn alongside Dr. Jago Cooper, the Head of the Americas at the British Museum, about the Mayans and the efforts by the British Museum, the Peruvian Government, and Google Arts and Culture to conserve through cutting-edge technology their legacies. [GA&C = “Google Arts & Culture”, YouTube channel. “Peruvian” must surely be a typo for “Mexican” or “Guatemalan”. Maudslay’s casts are shown and explained, though the video addresses wider issues as well.]

2 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tUq_z31O6E

Ancient Civilizations - The Mysteries of the Maya

10 Apr 2024

More than 2000 years ago the Maya built gigantic cities in the middle of the jungle of Central America. They were brilliant inventors and set standards in writing, mathematics and astronomy. Their calendar is still considered a mathematical masterpiece today. But why did the Maya suddenly go down? This full history documentary tells the story of this unique advanced civilization. [Featuring Richard Hansen and Nikolai Grube. GF = “Get.Factual”, YouTube channel.]

52 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aVFh634RoI

Maya writing - Houston Museum of Natural Science

2 Apr 2013

[Very short clip about Maya writing.]

2 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZScIgR6cK-o

The Maya and More - Mesoamerican Tour

VIDEO HAS BEEN MADE PRIVATE

1 Apr 2020

Explore the Hudson Museum's extraordinary Mesoamerican collections at www.umaine.edu/hudsonmuseum. Learn about the Maya and other Pre-Columbian civilizations exploring these themes: status and power, ritual and belief, and diet and foodways. [HM = “Hudson Museum”, YouTube channel.]

10 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CtvqFuG7dA

Megapolis - The Ancient World Revealed - Episode 3 - Tikal

11 Jan 2023

Megapolis: The Ancient World Revealed - Episode 3: Tikal | Ancient History Documentary

Hidden away in the jungle of Guatemala, Tikal saw the light of day in the 8th century BC. Inhabited for over a thousand years, the ancient city would encompass up to 12,000 structures and 2 million inhabitants. It reveals its extraordinary temple-pyramids, made using sheer human strength. The North Acropolis, the Mundo Perdido astronomical observatory, the magnificent Temple of the Great Jaguar, and Temple IV, one of the tallest in all Mesoamerica, regain their colours of yesteryear and provide us with a unique testimonial of Maya art and ingenuity. // Athens, Alexandria, Tikal, and Rome: these legendary cities are some of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. And yet, they still have not revealed all their secrets. // Built as temples of knowledge, these extraordinary cities were the beating heart of the ancient world. How did they come up to life? What was it like to live there? How did they become such centers of learning and invention? // From the 5th century BC to the Roman Empire, this compelling documentary series will bring back to life the greatest ancient cities at the height of their powers. Combining stunning CGI reconstructions with contemporary footage of the vestiges of these sites, and with the contribution of renowned experts, this series sheds a new light on these architectural treasures and lost civilizations that laid the foundations of our modern world. [Directed by Fabrice Houlier.]

51 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_0BAID3eM4

What Did The Mayan Calendar Really Say - 2012 The Beginning - Archaeology Documentary

22 Nov 2021

December 21, 2012… This date, identified by the Maya nearly 1,400 years ago, has in recent years become the source of great curiosity and debate. Some believe it will bring catastrophic events. Others, an era of enlightenment. But what did the ancient Maya themselves believe? In 2012: The Beginning, we travel the world to examine what the Sacred Maya texts really say. [ILD = “I Love Docs”, YouTube channel.]

52 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVjXqXYP2o0

Excavations at Xunantunich 2022 for IMS

16 Aug 2022

Thanks for accessing the Institute of Maya Studies YouTube channel. In June of 2022, IMS Explorer newsletter editor Jim Reed enjoyed a Maya adventure in Western Belize. Archaeologist Dr. Jaime Awe showed him the excavations at Xunantunich. This video shows Awe describing Middle Preclassic structure excavations at one end of a ballcourt; excavations of a sweat bath; the important hieroglyphic Panels 3 & 4 uncovered in front of Structure A-9; and the tomb of a female within Structure A-9. The Panels will play an important part of the discussion at an Institute of Maya Studies’ sponsored symposium/roundtable at this year’s Maya at the Playa event on Saturday, October 1st. [IMS = “Institute for Maya Studies”, YouTube channel. Note that there are two different YouTube channels which have been given the abbreviation IMS: “Institute for Maya Studies” and “Institute for Mesoamerican Studies”. Both channels have only a handful of videos.]

31 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCp-WqrwuXY

Mayapan - Urban Life at the Last Maya Capital

27 Sep 2013

Written and Directed by Sarah Taylor. // Produced and Edited by Sloan Tash. // Creative and Writing Consultant; Marilyn Masson. // This film was made by a grant by the University at Albany - SUNY Faculty Research Award Program (2011-2013). [IMS = “Institute for Mesoamerican Studies”, YouTube channel. Note that there are two different YouTube channels which have been given the abbreviation IMS: “Institute for Maya Studies” and “Institute for Mesoamerican Studies”. Both channels have only a handful of videos.]

33 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heeOSwoBOjk

Maya Star War - Tikal-Calakmul War

26 Jul 2018

The Maya civilization flourished in the 5th century AD and the stone cities jutting out of the rainforest housed millions. During this incredible era the Kings, gleaming with jade and vibrant feathers marching through the jungles with thousands of their obsidian wielding warriors are about to introduce total warfare to the Maya world. Two Maya superstates, home to the Temple of the Great Jaguar Paw - Tikal, and the massive Snake Kingdom - Calakmul will collide and cycle between moments of triumph and disaster for not only themselves, but their entire world. // And no aliens. Not ancient, not modern. // The script was developed, and the video was created by our good friend Cogito. [K&G = “Kings and Generals”, YouTube channel.]

16 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK9yv5wAoY0

Rise of the Maya

12 Jul 2018

Deep in the Yucatan Peninsula lie ancient stone cities reclaimed by the jungle, where a calendar dominated lives, majestically feathered kings ruled like gods and tall stone pyramids soared above the treetops. There in those jungles stand ancient stones etched with dates and writings that tell the story of one of history’s most fascinating and dynamic civilisations. These belong to the ancient Maya. A people that made advancements in architecture, mathematics, and astronomy that we can still learn from today. // The script was developed and the video was created by our good friend Cogito. [K&G = “Kings and Generals”, YouTube channel.]

15 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxwxTgFVUDE

Why did the Maya civilization collapse?

30 Aug 2018

In our final animated historical documentary on the Maya civilization we describe the reasons for its collapse, covering the societal, political, environmental reasons and the Spanish invasion of the region. By the early 8th century, the Maya civilization was at its zenith. Building and maintaining cities of such scale that future explorers hypothesized that they must have been built by lost tribes of Israel or the Phoenicians. But only 150 years later the flourishing Classic Maya civilization had crumbled, undergoing one of the most devastating social and demographic upheavals in human history. Yet the Maya wouldn’t succumb to Spanish control until 1697, nearly 200 years after the Aztecs and Inca. The great collapse and fall of the Maya are a story of change, triumph, and tragedy, where ancient thrones will be shattered but from them new powers will emerge. [K&G = “Kings and Generals”, YouTube channel.]

13 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqxGfyBPMP4

BREAKING NEWS - Hidden Mayan Road Network Uncovered in Yucatan Rainforest Using Laser Technology

19 Apr 2020

Incredible revelations from the Yucatan over the last few years. [Pete Kelly, YouTube channel.]

17 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvhWNGpXcd4

Palenque - The Greatest City in the Maya World?

7 Oct 2023

I had such an incredible time visiting the ancient ruins of Palenque. One of my favourite places on the planet. I simply had to share it with you. Where are your favourite archaeological sites? Let me know in the comments! [Pete Kelly, YouTube channel.]

31 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8JsgCMo-Hc

The Entire History of Ek Balam - Ancient America Documentary

29 Sep 2022

[Pete Kelly, YouTube channel.]

42 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-ivIjbC6m8

Maya - The Blood of Kings (1995)

12 May 2013

[Uploaded with reference to IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0953069/ “Maya: The Blood of Kings”, from the “Lost Civilizations” series. End credits give:

·        Consultants: Demarest, Miller, Pohl

·        Thanks: M. Coe, Delgado, Fash, Fasquelle Franco, J & B Kerr, Monroy, etc.]

50 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL0HYdC6dxg

Mayan Bone Plaque

27 Jul 2020

[Very short explanation of a Mayan bone plaque. “lschaefer0714”, YouTube channel.]

2 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkr0efiMjyE

Mayan Jade Pendant 200BC

16 Apr 2011

[Very short explanation of a Mayan jade pendant. “lschaefer0714”, YouTube channel.]

2 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBdxwZWs3uA

Mayan Jade Serpent Tube Pipe

27 Jul 2020

[Very short explanation of a Mayan bone plaque. “lschaefer0714”, YouTube channel.]

3 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0gYdLfhW1M

I Climbed The Highest Mayan Temple in Tikal, Guatemala

24 Sep 2023

TIKAL, GUATEMALA - One of the things I was most looking forward to doing in Guatemala (aside from the food), was visiting the ancient Mayan city of Tikal in Guatemala. We spent about 4 hours there visiting the top temples and pyramids and learning about the interesting and mysterious history of the Mayans who built it. // I would highly recommend visiting Tikal when you’re in Guatemala, it’s incredible. But the canteen food could definitely do with some improvement. [MA = Mark Abroad, YouTube Channel.]

12 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsQZaxHYsgM

Ancient Pyramid of Chichén Itzá Explained

19 Jun 2022

What did the ancient city of Chichen Itza look like? In this virtual tour I show you the architecture of all the civic and religious structures that conformed the great pre-Columbian city in Mexico. [MB = “Manual Bravo”, YouTube channel.]

28 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY3-CpoLPtk

Mayan Relief Carving from Yaxchilan, Mexico

25 Feb 2022

Yaxchilan Structure 23 Lintel 24, Mayan Culture in Chiapas, Mexico, 725 AD/CE, Limestone relief carving. // Mr. Surridge explains the Yaxchilan relief carving from Chiapas Mexico, where Lord Shield Jaguar is assisting Lady Shook in her bloodletting ritual. The thorny rope passes through the tongue to release blood, as she sacrifices for the sake of her people, likely causes a state of hallucination. // For Mr. Surridge's AP Art History class at Lodi Academy. Relief carving displayed in the British Museum, London. [MS = “Martin Surridge”, YouTube channel.]

4 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi7dxkv7JH4

The Last Days of the Maya

12 May 2014

[The massacre at Cancuen at the end of the 700s.]

Same documentary as

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-rpulHfuHs

National Geographic - Royal Maya Massacre - Full Documentary Films

15 Dec 2017

History Documentary hosted by Salvatore Vecchio, published by National Geographic in 2010 - English narration Royal Maya Massacre This National Geographic programme uses state-of-the-art archaeolo[gy]. // Sixteen skeletons - the remains of a 9th century Mayan royal family - are discovered in a mass grave, revealing a sordid tale of sex, greed, rivalry. and the final clues to one of the greatest. // Royal Maya Massacre: Sixteen skeletons, the remains of a 9th century Maya royal family, are discovered in a mass grave, revealing a sordid tale of sex, greed, rivalry and the final clues to [sentence ends abruptly]. [Double the length because the whole documentary is repeated. Approx 4 minutes out of sync, the longer version is about 4 minutes ahead – i.e. 06:00 in the short version is 10:00 in the long version.]

45 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99foDilswZA

Lost Kingdoms of the Maya

20 Mar 2012

[Lost Kingdoms of the Maya. National Geographic © 1993.]

58 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwihfJgRRvs

National Geographics nye dokumentar “Lost Treasures of the Maya Snake Kings”

1 Feb 2018

MAYA-FOLKET: Det hittil ganske ukjente Maya-folket blir nå oppdaget på ny i denne nye dokumentaren. Video: National Geographic [Google Translate: THE MAYAN PEOPLE: The hitherto completely unknown Maya people are now rediscovered in this new documentary. Video: National Geographic]

5 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MFKy7DJsCY

Lost World of the Maya (Full Episode) - National Geographic

30 Dec 2020

The Maya - their soaring pyramids, monumental cities and mythical mastery of astronomy and mathematics have captured our imaginations and spurred generations of explorers into the jungles of Central America on a quest to understand them. Lost World of the Maya surveys their dramatic rise to prominence in the 'pre-classic era' of the Maya as well as new evidence of the collapse of their civilization in the 800-900's AD.

44 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVMt-_11CFI

Dawn of the Maya Documentary

4 Apr 2012

Dawn of the Maya Documentary [YouTube channel Blurallis. ©2003 NGT&F = “National Geographic Television and Film”.]

53 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgeXOUPy_Mw

National Geographic Documentary - The Maya - The Lost Civilization - Documentary 2015

4 Jul 2015

[A NOVA documentary “Cracking the Maya Code” (0:02:40), written by David Lebrun (0:05:08) based on Michael Coe’s book and with him as major interviewee. The YouTube title attributes it to National Geographic but the video itself says it's a NOVA production in association with Night Fire Films and ARTE France, (c)2008 WGBH Educational Foundation.]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QMoK58VBo4

Cracking the Maya Code (El código maya) PBS Nova 360 x 488

3 Apr 2020

Documentary about the history of the decipherment of ancient Maya writing.

52 / 56 minutes

https://www.nytimes.com/video/science/1194817103486/decoding-maya-glyphs.html

Science - Decoding Maya Glyphs

15 May 2006

Maya enthusiasts and researchers learn the rudiments of Maya hieroglyphics at annual workshops at the University of Texas at Austin. (Producer: Craig Duff). [New York Times news item. David Stuart and Peter Mathews featured, explaining the Maya script and its decipherment. Date shown in video itself is 16 May 2006.]

4 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT2LcKKMI1w

Ancient Metropolis - The True Scale Of Mayan Cities

30 Nov 2023

Hidden by dense undergrowth, the true size of ancient Mayan cities has been poorly understood up until now. Join a group of scientists and archaeologists at the cutting edge of the field as they reveal the true size of these ancient mega-cities. [OAHD = “Odyssey - Ancient History Documentaries”, YouTube channel.]

48 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NngrugRgh4

The Bloodthirsty Deities of the Ancient Mayans - The Lost Gods - Odyssey

6 Apr 2021

The Maya believed that they had a debt to the gods that could only be paid with sacrifice. [OAHD = “Odyssey - Ancient History Documentaries”, YouTube channel.]

Same documentary as:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSpbLSmSBUo

The Wonders Of The Ancient Maya Civilization - Lost Gods - Parable

16 Oct 2020

The canopy of the tropical rainforest of Guatemala conceals an ancient civilization. Two thousand years before the Christian era, wandering tribes of hunter-gathers cut the limestone beneath the trees for breathtaking buildings. They would be compared to the Greeks for their science, to the Romans for their paved roads, to the Egyptians for their pyramids. Masters of the written word, art, and architecture. They were the Maya. [“Parable”, YouTube Religious History Documentaries channel.]

24 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uC0sKvaV9E

Uncovering the Mysteries of the Maya Calendar

28 Dec 2022

The Maya calendar gripped the world in 2012 but has since faded into the cultural shadows. What is the history behind this system and does is hold a greater meaning? [OAHD = “Odyssey - Ancient History Documentaries”, YouTube channel.]

1 hour 22 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zBZT6MzLdo

Rainforests of the Maya

4 Aug 2021

"Rainforests of the Maya" explores the monumental, ingenious, and mysterious world of the great Maya civilization, the remnants of which still rise from the landscape of the Yucatan Peninsula and Northern Central America. // But the Maya were not only prolific builders, engineers, and astronomers, they were also master gardeners and agricultural pioneers. They relied on the rich bounties of the tropical rainforests they inhabited. These are some of the most biodiverse jungles on Earth. The Maya tended those forest, shaping the landscape for generations to come. [OE = Odyssey Earth, YouTube channel.]

37 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l7y7Wvha-o

Uncovering the Mysteries of the Mayans - Our History

10 Feb 2022

Arthur C Clarke delves into the mysterious ancient civilisations of the Maya. // Very few civilisations have left such spectacular remains as the ancient Maya who flourished on the Yucatan Peninsula in Central America more than one thousand years ago. The romantic ruined cities of Copan, Palenque, Tikal and Chichen Itza, when first reclaimed from the depths of the jungle by intrepid archaeologists, baffled all investigating experts. // This film was first broadcast: 1996.

25 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nn75Km0rEE

Tayel Chan K'inich - English

13 Dec 2017

Tayel Chan K’ihnich, Holy Lord of the Ik’ Kingdom. // Mayan Vessel: Throne Scene, 8th century. Ceramic, slip, pigment. [Pangea = YouTube channel.]

1 minute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev_wi0g0lCY

Off the Tourist Trail: Meeting K’iche Mayans of Guatemala

25 May 2022

A lot of tourists stay in the resort areas of Lake Atitlan while getting drunk and partying all week. But what about the Mayan villages? What's there? What is lifelike in these untouched Mayan villages? I went on a quest to hear the Mayan language of K'iche in the villages and came out with much more.... [PD = “Paul Dilla”, YouTube channel.]

27 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOEQNo5m4rg

The Popol Vuh - Mayan Creation Myth Animated - Full Version

20 Jul 2015

The Popol Vuh is a sacred text of the Quiche Maya, from the area now known as Guatemala. It is considered one of the most important pieces of mythology from the culture. This video is a 1 hour long animated version. [PH = “Phil Harris”, YouTube channel.]

1 hour 0 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIYl5LiXjYQ

The Chama Conservation Project

12 Feb 2009

Conservators at the Penn Museum apply the latest technology to conserve fragmented Maya pots. Analysis also reveals that some of the pots from the Chama region of Guatemala contained chocolate! [PM = “Penn Museum”, YouTube channel.]

Same video as:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT7ta4f7bpA

15 Aug 2017

8 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBSpuDtUqeM

Secrets of the Maya Temple (1959)

12 Feb 2013

[Very little information given in the “Description” box. This is a contemporary documentary (1950’s) on the discovery of Pakal the Great’s tomb by Ruz Lhuillier. PM = “Penn Museum”, YouTube channel.]

23 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv-f-ZUlTwM

The Maya (1973)

20 Jun 2013

A narrated film describing the archaeology of Maya sites in Guatemala and Mexico and other sites in Latin America, some of which were excavated by expeditions of the University Museum (Penn Museum). Some field work and reconstruction can be seen in the Tikal section.

Some artifacts from the Museum's collections are featured in the film, others remain in the countries of origin. [The date of the documentary is 1973, long before the upload date to YouTube. PM = “Penn Museum, YouTube channel.]

27 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSpbLSmSBUo

Journey to the Past: The Enigmatic Maya Civilization

16 Oct 2020

The canopy of the tropical rainforest of Guatemala conceals an ancient civilisation. Two thousand years before the Christian era, wandering tribes of hunter-gathers cut the limestone beneath the trees for breathtaking buildings. They would be compared to the Greeks for their science, to the Romans for their paved roads, to the Egyptians for their pyramids. Masters of the written word, art and architecture. They were the Maya. [PRHD = “Parable - Religious History Documentaries”, YouTube channel.]

24 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvpWJG5UE7g

Kaminaljuyu

22 Apr 2020

Kaminaljuyu, first mapped in the 1930's, is a Pre-Columbian site of the Maya civilization that was primarily occupied from 1500 BC to AD 1200. Kaminaljuyu is one of the greatest archaeological sites in the New World, although today a few mounds remain. It is located in Guatemala City. [“Quinn”, YouTube channel.]

15 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWH2CrSvm2g

Breaking The Ancient Maya Code - Archeology - Timeline

[Narrated by John Rhys-Davis; with accounts by Agurcia, Cruz, Bill & Barbara Fash, Molanphy, Schele, Sharer, Storey, Traxler; Copan.]

14 Nov 2019

A good few years ago, the ancient Mayans were thought to be a mysterious and peaceful people governed by astronomer-priests. But in 1965, Russian linguist Yuri Knorosov cracked the phonetic code of Mayan hieroglyphic writing in the confinements of his bustling Leningrad study. // Today, researchers reveal stories of Mayan blood sacrifices as they uncover a world so foreign as to defy our understanding of it. // From excavations deep in the jungles of Honduras to the most recent interpretations of hieroglyphic messages, researchers are unraveling the fascinating story of the rise and fall of the Mayans.

This is the same documentary as:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbhfwZgpxa0

Quest For The 1,500 Year Old Mayan City of Copán | Fall Of The Maya | Chronicle

15 Jan 2022

Deep in the emerald jungle of Honduras lies the lost city of Copán. The enigmatic carvings of its ancient Maya builders guarded its secrets for thousands of years. The city was a major capital city during the 5th to 9th centuries AD, commonly referred to as the "Dark Ages" in the West. // Join these researchers and historians reveal stories of Mayan blood sacrifices as they uncover a world so foreign as to defy our understanding of it. From excavations deep in the jungles of Honduras to the most recent interpretations of hieroglyphic messages, researchers are unraveling the fascinating story of the rise and fall of the Mayans.

This is the same documentary as:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tWa7FZ3B-g

The Dark and Bloody Rituals Of The Maya

4 May 2021

Twenty-five years ago, the ancient Mayans were thought to be a mysterious and peaceful people governed by astronomer-priests. But in 1965, Russian linguist Yuri Knorosov cracked the phonetic code of Mayan hieroglyphic writing in the confinements of his bustling Leningrad study. Today, researchers reveal stories of Mayan blood sacrifices as they uncover a world so foreign as to defy our understanding of it.

The first is on the “Timeline” channel, the second on the “Chronicle” channel, the third on the “Odyssey” channel.

21 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOerY0UPYOk

Unearthed - Mayan City of Blood (S1, E1)

16 Sep 2020

S1 E1: Mayan City of Blood (Premiered 07/05/2016)

The city of Chichen Itza contains secrets of a mysterious civilization. [SC = “Science Channel”, YouTube channel.]

43 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVXmN_G5GmA

Maya Blue - the enigmatic pigment - S1E4 - Made in Latin America

6 Jul 2022

A special pigment found in the codex that is not only aesthetically pleasing but has amazing properties that artists and scientists are trying to replicate. [SDCBM = “SD CELAR British Museum”, YouTube channel.]

26 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykVON3Ojz1U

Naachtun - the Forgotten Mayan City

4 Sep 2024

Naachtun is the last city of the Maya golden age. We know little about it and archaeologists have started excavation just a few years ago. Isolated in the middle of the tropical forest of Guatemala, the researchers are trying to understand how it can have survived for almost 200 years after the collapse of the Mayan civilization in surrounding cities, and in doing so, to shed new light on the history of this people. Using ambitious resources, including 4K HD cameras, drones, and cutting-edge graphics, the result is an exciting adventure combined with an in-depth scientific study. This documentary promises the account of an epic saga. // Directed by: Stéphane Bégoin. [Short initial segments with Dominique Michelet and Philippe Nondedeo, University of Paris; and Alfonso Lacadena] [SFD = “Slice Full Doc”, YouTube channel.]

Same documentary as:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld1HhvzE_IQ

Naachtun - the Forgotten Mayan City [Uploaded on 19 Jul 2024, same description.]

50 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv-JwjMQPOs

Remodelling the Immense Mayan Monuments of Tikal

24 Sep 2023

Hidden away in the jungle of Guatemala, Tikal saw the light of day in the 8th century BC. Inhabited for over a thousand years, the ancient city would encompass up to 12,000 structures and 2 million inhabitants. It reveals its extraordinary temple-pyramids, made using sheer human strength. // The North Acropolis, the Mundo Perdido astronomical observatory, the magnificent Temple of the Great Jaguar, and Temple IV, one of the tallest in all Mesoamerica, regain their colours of yesteryear and provide us with a unique testimonial of Maya art and ingenuity. [SH = “SLICE History”, YouTube channel.]

50 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxvFW5mraHY

Vessel with a Mythological Scene (Maya)

7 Feb 2017

Vessel, Mythological Scene, 7-8th century C.E., Maya (Classic Maya), 14 x 11.4 cm, ceramic (1978.412.206) (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). // Speakers: Dr. James Doyle, Assistant Curator, Art of the Americas, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Dr. Steven Zucker. // With special thanks to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. [SH = “Smarthistory”, YouTube channel.]

6 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myWy2TJBDXE

Reading Maya Hieroglyphs

18 Jun 2012

Carol Karasik, epigrapher, reads a few Maya hieroglyphs inside the Temple of the Inscriptions in the archaeological site of Palenque, Mexico.

1 minute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn0nYB08PYc

Yucatán - The Heartlands of the Maya Civilisation

15 Jan 2022

Yucatan is a Mexican state that juts out into the Caribbean sea. // From the white sandy beaches of the Maya river to huge green expanses where the site of Calakmul barely emerges from the forest, we take you to visit not only the most prestigious Maya sites but also other lesser-known locations that are just as fascinating. // Spectacular caves, mangroves, and nature reserves... Be prepared to be awed by the décor in which one of America’s most fascinating civilizations flourished. // Extract from the film: ​​"Discovering the world - Yucatan, the Culture is Nature, the Culture is Maya". Direction: Pierre Brouwers. [ST=“Slice Travel”, YouTube channel.]

43 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYFs0KY3HFI

Dr. David Stuart deciphers the Tiwol Chan Mat name glyph at Palenque

22 Jul 2013

In December 2012, participants of the Maya Field Workshops were looking at the Tablet of 96 Glyphs at Palenque's site museum. This tablet is well known among Mayanists for its beautifully rendered glyphs. The workshop, led by archaeologist and epigrapher Dr. David Stuart, gives them a hand as participants take a crack at their own decipherment. // The name glyph is of Tiwol Chan Mat, the father of renown K'inich Ahkal Mo' Nahb, ruler of Palenque who is portrayed so prominently at Temple XIX. K'inich Ahkal Mo' Nahb's accession date was January 3, 722.

48 seconds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFTlTe5f1m4

The Holy City of Teotihuacan 🇲🇽 Mexico Pre-Hispanic World Heritage Site

9 Sep 2019

The holy city of Teotihuacan ('the place where the gods were created') is situated some 50 km north-east of Mexico City. Built between the 1st and 7th centuries A.D., it is characterized by the vast size of its monuments – in particular, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, laid out on geometric and symbolic principles. As one of the most powerful cultural centres in Mesoamerica, Teotihuacan extended its cultural and artistic influence throughout the region, and even beyond.

T&D = Travel and Discover (YouTube channel)

Travel & Discover è il canale dei viaggi e delle scoperte. Un ricca panoramica di immagini e musica per scoprire tutti i segreti e le bellezze del mondo. // Travel & Discover è anche una fondamentale guida turistica che puoi consultare dal tuo smartphone quando sei in vacanza. // Paesaggi naturali e incontaminati, architetture di ogni cultura e di ogni angolo del pianeta, svettanti grattacieli e città di luci e colori: tutta la bellezza del nostro pianeta la trovi qui, su Travel & Discover.

[Google Translate: Travel & Discover is the travel and discovery channel. A rich overview of images and music to discover all the secrets and beauties of the world. // Travel & Discover is also an essential tourist guide that you can consult from your smartphone when you are on holiday. // Natural and uncontaminated landscapes, architecture of every culture and every corner of the planet, soaring skyscrapers, and cities of light and colour: all the beauty of our planet can be found here, on Travel & Discover.]

Selected comments:

·        @octaviogutierrez9158 2 years ago (edited): Good job! Very complete documentary. The pronunciation of Teotihuacan in English is like "Taoteewakán"

o    @akwabanthebe5836 1 year ago: Hei !! wait a minute. Ta otee w akan. This is the meaning. Ta --- the stick, Ote-- that works the clay, W (wr)- writing and Akan - Reading. Ta ote wre akan (the stick that writes and read speech). Talking about the Enlightened people (king) who Writes and Read Cuneiform writings. THE SUMERIANS?

o    @oscarlozano8518 1 year ago: Teh oh tee wah khan, and no Sumerians either

o    @jennifertaylor6602 1 year ago: I cringed so hard when she started out with TEOTI HACUAN. I Can't continue this video. Definitely will look for another documentary now.

o    @oscarlozano8518 1 year ago: @jennifertaylor6602 I hear you! I love Teotihuacan and can recommend a bunch of other great ones!

o    @rebekahpatzkowsky4191 1 year ago: TAY-oh TEE wah-CON.

·        @greghernandez676 1 year ago: The ‘h’ in Teotihuacán is silent. Other than that, your pronunciation is excellent. Also, the ‘coat’ in Quetzalcoatl is pronounced ‘kwaht’ as in kumquat, not like the garment.

·        @hectorbb4225 2 years ago: I'm enjoying a lot this documentary; however, it bothered me a lot that the narrator keeps pronouncing everything wrong. Most of the things she's naming have an English translation and the word "Teotihuacan" can be typed into google translator to get the accurate pronunciation.

·        @josefinajaime4550 2 months ago: Teo-ti-uacan not difficult to pronounce.😊

·        @hino27 9 months ago (edited): It’s pronounced more like “teyo tea wah con”. It hurts hearing it mispronounced so many times is short succession.

·        @jessicacoloursoflatinameri8049 1 year ago: Shame that all names are pronounced terribly wrong.

·        @lyudmila2882 3 years ago: Beautiful documentary, blighted by so many mispronunciations. If a Spanish word has an accent on it, that syllable should be accented not the one after it! And what is a jagear? or Bass relief?

·        @nacholiron 2 years ago: Why do you pronounce CIUDADELA as KUIDADELA? 🤷‍♂️

·        @stopbeingablindfanatic4359 2 years ago: TeotiHUACAN not hacuan. for Christ’s sake pronounce your report correctly.

·        @LorenaTamayoXikana 11 months ago (edited): The mispronunciations make it hard for me to hear the information. The h is silent, and the Nahuatl accent is on the penultimate syllable. And she pronounces some Spanish words as if they were in Italian.

·        @shannoncurth7329 1 year ago: I can’t listen to her repeatedly mispronounce Teotihuacán.

·        @bierstein4534 1 year ago: How can you narrate a documentary on a city and not even pronounce it correctly??

·        @matthieudell5269 2 years ago: A lot of mispronunciation of the names.

·        @starcreature5131 1 year ago: People should learn the right pronunciation before starting a video 🧐🧐🧐.

·        @TonyfromTO 10 months ago (edited): Teotihuakwon. Stop hiring British people to pronounce Nahuatl!!!!!!

·        @sistercookies 1 month ago: Please learn proper pronunciation before creating a documentary. Your accent is no problem, but a lot of the pronunciation is incorrect. Otherwise, thank you.

25 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r7VATSg0ag

Ancient Maya - Tools of Astronomy

30 Jun 2014

[A History Channel production, narrator/host: Michael Guillen. TA = “Tomás A”, YouTube channel.]

44 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imRr_hFoTCI

Guatemala - Mayan Mysticism - Mythical Nagual

30 Oct 2023

The pride of Guatemala is the legacy of the Mayan civilization. Pyramids and hieroglyphs, prophesying the end of the world, a calendar and the tragic decline of civilization, bright fabrics and the "climate of eternal spring" - this is a standard set for a foreign tourist. However, few people know that behind the picturesque mask of smiling Guatemala lies a twilight world of archaic beliefs and customs full of mysticism. // In different parts of the world they are given different names: shamans, clairvoyants, sorcerers, healers, wizards, sorcerers, elders. This program is dedicated to people with mystical powers, which have no logical explanation. [TAN = “Travel and Nature”, YouTube channel.]

44 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wErNa1EKFRY

The Mayan tooth

8 May 2018

BDA Museum Honorary Curator Margaret Wilson takes a quick look at this example of a Mayan decorated tooth. [TBDA = “The British Dental Association”, YouTube channel.]

0 minutes 53 seconds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xyng7XJ79A

Alfred Maudslay's legacy - Curator's Corner S3 Ep10

2 Apr 2018

Curator Jago Cooper shares the story of innovative archaeologist Alfred Maudslay and explains how explorations in 19th-century South America have inspired research for the British Museum in collaboration with Google in the 21st century. [TBM = “The British Museum”, YouTube channel.]

4 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2vzrQWny_c

The Maya Myth of the Morning Star

22 Oct 2019

Discover the Maya myth of Venus, the morning star plotting revenge on his brother, the sun, and his allies. // Chak Ek’, the morning star, rose from the underworld to the surface of the eastern sea and on into the heavens. His brother K’in Ahaw, the sun, followed. Though Chak Ek’ had risen first, K’in Ahaw outshone him, and the resentful Chak Ek’ descended back to the underworld to plot against his brother and his allies. Gabrielle Vail details the Maya myth of the morning star. // Lesson by Gabrielle Vail, directed by Basa. [TEDED = “TED-Ed”, YouTube channel.]

4 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX3yJ1zLXio

Engineering an Empire - The Maya - Death Empire

14 Aug 2023

[Presented by Peter Weller. THC = “The History Channel”, YouTube channel.]

44 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIOaUcsg91A

The Lost World of the Maya - Full Documentary - NOVA - PBS

2 Mar 2022

Dr. Eric Thompson guides Magnus Magnusson around various Mayan sites and their meanings. First broadcast in BBC Chronicle, 6 October 1972.

36 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qe4ROFlqwE

New Mayan City Discovered in Mexico By Chance

9 Nov 2024

Deep in the lush jungles of Campeche, Mexico, archaeologists made a stunning revelation! They've uncovered a forgotten Maya city they've called Valeriana---a lost gem of history. // And they did it without moving a speck of soil or even being there! // Join us as we unravel this extraordinary discovery and reveal what sets Valeriana apart from other Maya cities. // Why did it remain concealed for so long, and what secrets lie within its ancient walls? // Though images are yet to emerge, this video paints a vivid picture of the enchanting Maya architecture and daily life that flourished in Valeriana. // From its majestic temples and bustling plazas to the vibrant traditions of its inhabitants, let's dream together about what life was like in this newly unearthed city. [TMoLAP = “The Mysteries of Latin America Podcast”, YouTuhe channel. The discovery of Valeriana.]

10 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHp6nKPuFSQ

Ukrainian Soldier Cracks Ancient Mayan Code

12 Jan 2024

A 21-year-old World War II soldier from the Ukraine achieved one of the most pivotal discoveries in the history…of Mexico. He broke the code of hieroglyphs of the Ancient Maya. // Uncover the mystique that lured a soldier into the world of legends and unveil the ancient whispers that have been waiting for someone to break their silence. // This is the story of Yuri Knozorov. [TMoLAP = “The Mysteries of Latin America Podcast”, YouTuhe channel.]

11 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtknvbl8C_0

The Legend of Ancient Maya

28 Sep 2023

Join us on an immersive journey through the captivating world of the Ancient Maya civilization. From awe-inspiring pyramids and architectural wonders to their advanced knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, and their unique writing system, this video delves deep into the legacy of this remarkable civilization. Discover their harmonious relationship with the natural world and the enduring impact of their contributions on our modern lives. [ToW = “Trail of Wisdom”, YouTube channel.]

12 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBDvxT3I3fw

Maya

24 Aug 2015

8-minute video reviews the classic Maya civilization. Documentary discusses the political and social organization and the influence of religion in Mesoamerican society. A highly stratified society, the majority of the Maya people were ruled by a minority of powerful priests who derived their power from the gods. [TS = Tomas Salinas, YouTube channel. (Extract of?] documentary uploaded in 2015, but documentary itself is much older.]

7 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7Xd6HScCkc

Scientists Have Just Found An Untouched Civilization in Guatemala

8 Aug 2023

Guatemala, the Untouched Civilization, and other Scientific Discoveries. In the heart of Central America, beneath the dense green canopy of Guatemala's mesmerizing rainforest, lies a long-guarded secret that has remained dormant for centuries. The Maya civilization, renowned for its sophisticated writing system, architectural mastery, and profound astronomical knowledge, leaves us pondering over the enigmatic people who thrived in this uncharted territory. How did they manage to construct awe-inspiring structures without the aid of modern tools and technology? And what revelations might their secrets hold for humanity today? Join us as we embark on a journey to uncover the captivating tales of Guatemala's untouched civilization and explore the scientific wonders that continue to shape our world today. [TUD = “The Ultimate Discovery”, YouTube channel. George Bey and excavating at Kiuic.]

32 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyCfjCLGyYI

Geheimnisvolle Maya - Söhne der Sonne | Ganze Folge Terra X

30 Aug 2020

Schon vor über 2000 Jahren bauten die Maya mitten im Dschungel von Mittelamerika gigantische Städte. Pyramiden und Tempel zeugen von ihren architektonischen Leistungen. Auch in Schrift, Mathematik und Astronomie setzten die Maya Maßstäbe. // Verborgen unter dem dichten Blätterdach des Regenwaldes von Guatemala liegen noch heute die Überreste der untergegangenen Maya-Stadt El Mirador. Lange konnten Wissenschaftler die Ausmaße der Metropole nur schätzen. Erst moderne Laser-Technologie brachte ans Licht, was sich wirklich hinter den gigantischen Strukturen verbirgt, die man lange Zeit aufgrund ihrer schieren Größe für Berge im Dschungel hielt. // Riesige Tempel und Paläste, Verteidigungsanlagen, Tiergehege und sogar ein dichtes Straßennetz. Über 250.000 Menschen lebten in El Mirador, eine weitere Million im Umland. El Mirador ist damit eine der größten Städte der Welt zu dieser Zeit. Die Errichtung solch riesiger Städte und die Versorgung der vielen Menschen mit Nahrungsmitteln gelang den Maya nur durch eine geniale Domestizierungsleistung. Aus dem unscheinbaren Wildgras Teosinte züchteten sie ein besonders ergiebiges und nährstoffreiches Grundnahrungsmittel: den Mais. Noch heute ist er eines der am häufigsten angebauten Getreide der Welt. // An der Spitze der Gesellschaft standen Gottkönige, die als Mittler zwischen Menschen und Göttern fungierten. Sie boten ihren Untertanen göttliche Unterstützung und Sicherheit. Im Gegenzug stellte ihnen das Volk seine Arbeitskraft zur Verfügung. Das Gehör der Götter fanden die Maya durch Rituale, zu denen auch Blut- und Menschenopfer gehörten. // In den Palästen der Könige widmeten sich Mathematiker, Astronomen und Schriftgelehrte den höheren Wissenschaften. Die Maya gehören zu den fünf Hochkulturen, die eine eigene Schrift entwickelten. Einst besaßen die Herrscher riesige Bibliotheken voller Faltbücher, sogenannter Kodizes. Doch die Spanier ließen sie nach ihrer Eroberung als Teufelswerk verbrennen. // Als erste Kultur rechneten die Maya sogar mit der Zahl Null, die damals weder die Römer noch die Griechen kannten. In Europa wurde sogar erst ab dem 12. Jahrhundert mit der besonderen Zahl gerechnet. Dank ihrer mathematischen Fähigkeiten konnten Maya-Astronomen einen Kalender berechnen, der heute noch als Meisterwerk ihrer Kultur gilt. Denn, obwohl das Teleskop noch nicht erfunden war, konnten die Maya Kometen-Erscheinungen sowie Sonnen- und Mondfinsternisse exakt vorhersagen. // Doch offenbar unterschätzten die Maya, wie fragil ihre Lebensbedingungen waren. Dürreperioden, Raubbau an der Natur und Kriege zwischen den Stadtstaaten setzten dieser Hochkultur ein Ende, das Reich der Maya zerfiel urplötzlich. // Dieses Video ist eine Produktion des ZDF, in Zusammenarbeit mit Storyhouse.

Google Translate: More than 2,000 years ago, the Maya built gigantic cities in the middle of the jungles of Central America. Pyramids and temples bear witness to their architectural achievements. The Maya also set standards in writing, mathematics, and astronomy. // Hidden beneath the dense canopy of the Guatemalan rainforest, the remains of the lost Mayan city of El Mirador still lie today. For a long time, scientists could only estimate the dimensions of the metropolis. It was only modern laser technology that revealed what was really behind the gigantic structures, which were long thought to be mountains in the jungle due to their sheer size. // Huge temples and palaces, defenses, animal enclosures and even a dense network of roads. Over 250,000 people lived in El Mirador, with another million living in the surrounding area. This makes El Mirador one of the largest cities in the world at that time. The Maya were only able to build such huge cities and supply the many people with food through an ingenious feat of domestication. From the inconspicuous wild grass teosinte, they bred a particularly productive and nutrient-rich staple food: corn. Today it is still one of the most widely grown grains in the world. // At the top of society were god-kings who acted as mediators between people and gods. They offered divine support and security to their subjects. In return, the people made their labor available to them. The Maya heard the gods through rituals that also included blood and human sacrifices. // In the palaces of the kings, mathematicians, astronomers, and scribes devoted themselves to the higher sciences. The Maya are one of the five advanced civilizations that developed their own writing system. The rulers once owned huge libraries full of folding books called codices. But after their conquest, the Spaniards had them burned as the work of the devil. // The Maya were the first culture to calculate with the number zero, which neither the Romans nor the Greeks knew at the time. In Europe, the special number was only used in the 12th century. Thanks to their mathematical skills, Mayan astronomers were able to calculate a calendar that is still considered a masterpiece of their culture. Although the telescope had not yet been invented, the Maya were able to accurately predict comet appearances as well as solar and lunar eclipses. // But the Maya apparently underestimated how fragile their living conditions were. Periods of drought, overexploitation of nature and wars between the city states put an end to this advanced culture, and the Maya empire suddenly collapsed. // This video is a ZDF production in collaboration with Storyhouse. [TXH = “Terra X History”, YouTube channel.]

43 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkWZvgb8VQw

Alfred Maudslay - An English Life Dedicated to Mayan Study

26 Nov 2020

[Richard Maudslay, chairman of the British-Mexican Society and great-nephew of Alfred Maudslay, relates about the life of his great-uncle. This video is totally incorporated into UNAMUK-AM2, where it forms the first part of a live stream.]

33 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPiUrnFGmfI

Alfred Maudslay - An English Life Dedicated to Mayan Study

26 Nov 2020

Join the conversation alongside Richard Maudslay: chairman of the British Mexican Society, Antonio Saborit: director of Museo Nacional de Antropología, and Claudia Zehrt: director of the Google Arts & Culture: Maya Project. [UNAMUK = “UNAM UK”, YouTube channel. Chaired by Ana Elena González-Treviño, Director of the Centre for Mexican Studies, National Autonomous University of Mexico. Richard Maudslay is the great-nephew of Alfred Maudslay.]

1 hour 25 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiGtV_wnw7I

Ancient Maya Stela C of Quirigua and the Hero Twins

15 Sep 2011

On the north face of Stela C, an 8th-century stone monument in Quirigua, Guatemala, a ruler dances, entwined in a sacred umbilical cord. At his feet, a mysterious inscription is the only ancient Maya reference to the Hero Twins found on a stone monument.

3 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFGWaxAjVtQ

A Royal Maya Chocolate Vase with Underworld Gods

24 Apr 2012

Maya expert Dr. Mark Van Stone explains the imagery and glyph inscriptions on a (replica) Ancient Maya chocolate vase, from about the year 700 AD (Classic Mayan). It portrays several "Way" spirits, scary or malevolent "spirit companions" of persons, royal families, and kingdoms.

7 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMKDiaha_qE

Maya Book Technology - Making Bark Paper

22 Mar 2012

We tend to think of ancient writing only on stone, because all the books have disappeared. But this is merely an accident of survival. The Maya, just like the ancient Egyptians --indeed just like everyone--, wrote mainly on paper. Their inscriptions on stelae, pottery, and jade are but echoes of a rich library of literature. This video discusses their paper-making technology.

2 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ARf0pCy72k

Maya Creation - Anticipating 2012 - The Planting of the Three Stones

26 Aug 2011

Dr. Van Stone reads the Creation story on Quirigua Stela C, the late-8th-century monument which tells us the myth of the "Planting of the Three-Stone Hearth (of Creation)". The text tells us the names and actions of five actors in part of the Maya Creation myth of 13.0.0.0.0, which is 3114 BC in our calendar. This 13.0.0.0.0 date will repeat in December 2012, which is why so many people call it the "end of the calendar" and predict a tremendous Change in our world.

12 minutes

https://www.archaeologychannel.org/index.php/video-guide-summary/2208-quirigua-stela-d

Quirigua Stela D [Front - Lord K’ak’ Tiliw in Full Ceremonial Regalia]

2011

Dr. Mark Van Stone, a leading expert on the Maya calendar and the significance of 2012, reads the story of a powerful Maya king on Quiriguá Stela D, a late Eighth Century stone monument in Guatemala. Not more than twenty years ago, no one would have been able to read the inscription on that Quirigua monument. The city’s story was a mystery, even to the Maya people of Guatemala today. Thanks to scholars like Dr. Mark Van Stone, the Maya now have a history. [Van Stone explains the iconography of the north or front side of QRG Stela D. The month and day of the presentation is not given, only the year.]

6 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhRpGx-XMPM

Jade from Guatemala documentary of Patrick Voillot

13 Sep 2019

In the 16th Century, when the conquistadors led by Cortéz were pillaging his country, Moctezuma, the Aztec emperor, is supposed to have said: «Fortunately these foolish invaders are only interested in gold; not in our jade!» // In Guatemala the pre-Columbian Indians, the Mayas in particular, for centuries considered jade to be a sacred stone. They made many objects from it, masks in particular, but it was also a currency for barter. // This film takes you on a veritable archeological adventure. // After much research, two North American archeologists succeeded in finding the exact location of the ancient Indian jade mines which had fallen into oblivion for five centuries. // Through this film you will be privileged to access the Cancuén archeological site which is being excavated. Here, on the route of the Maya jade, archeologists have recently discovered the antique city of a powerful lord who had built a jade industry and who sold the jade in the city-states of the Maya world. // Tikal is one of those cities. It is covered over by the Peten jungles and was abandoned well before the arrival of the conquistadors. In this film the city reveals some of its secrets and treasures. // Have you dreamt of going into the reserves of one of the most famous archeological museums in the world? By following this documentary adventure, you will enter the museum of Guatemala Ciudad where the jade jewelry, the steles, the potteries, and mummies are part of the decor. // Antigua is the colonial town preserved from the ravages of time and the surrounding volcanoes. It shelters factories manufacturing copies of ancient jade objects as well as modern jewels. // In this film you will be introduced by a master craftsman to an ancestral custom – that of engraving intaglio on a gem, particularly jade which will be used in the creation of a jewel.

51 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKil8_h-FUY

Coba and the MAYA BALL GAME

12 Aug 2020

The ancient ruins of Coba are full of secrets newly revealed. Watch as Dr. Miano and Cassie show you the best parts of the site and answer the question of whether the Nochoch Mul is the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan peninsula. Plus learn about the Maya ballgame, the oldest organized sport in the history of the world. Finally, we take you to Cancun for a visit to the Maya Museum there, which is full of fascinating artifacts. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

18 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzFNc6lVTWM

CALAKMUL - Secrets of a LOST EMPIRE

23 Mar 2020

In the deepest jungles of Campeche lies the ruins of the greatest ancient Maya city of all time: Calakmul. As the seat of the Kan or Snake Dynasty, Calakmul commanded an impressive position in the 7th and 8th centuries, dominating a large part of the Yucatan peninsula. In this video, learn about the rivalry between Calakmul and neighboring Tikal, and the great kings who fought in the wars. Get a glimpse also of the intimidating howler monkeys in their natural habitat. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

19 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5332Lq8-VpU

Forgotten Cities of Campeche - BECAN and XPUHIL

9 Mar 2020

Ancient Maya ruins that often get overlooked are those in Campeche, in the central part of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. These were once impressive and heavily populated cities, built in the Rio Bec style. David and Cassie visited two, right near modern Xpujil: the sites of Becan and Xpuhil, which you're bound to find fascinating. // We hope you enjoy watching this #antiquitiestravelguide about #Becan and Xpuhil as much as we enjoyed making it. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

15 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXjXS4ikslg

How Maya Hieroglyphs Were Deciphered, and By Whom

13 Nov 2022

One of the greatest accomplishments of the last century has been the decipherment of Mayan hieroglyphs. This video tells the story of the methods used and the scholars involved in the advancement in our understanding of the Mayan language. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

16 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ag4cF5yf6M

Mysteries of Ancient Chacchoben - Plus Bacalar, and the Gran Cenote of Tulum

13 Jul 2020

The ATG team's last couple of days in Belize were spent resting and relaxing at Caye Caulker. After that, it was back to work. Get the full story about Bacalar and Tulum in Mexico here. Lots to learn about the ancient ruins of Chacchoben and the mysterious Gran Cenote. // We hope you enjoy watching this #antiquitiestravelguide about #Chacchoben, Caye Caulker, Bacalar, and the Gran Cenote of Tulum as much as we enjoyed making it. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

15 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTJhWQUIWoU

MAYAN WARFARE: Caracol vs. its Enemies - Cahal Pech and the Cave of the Dead

29 May 2020

In the heart of the Chiquibul forest in Belize lies the ruins of the ancient city of Caracol. David and Cassie will show you some of the more interesting parts of the fascinating Maya site. Also in this episode they explore the archaeological site of Cahal Pech near San Ignacio and the mysterious Barton Creek Cave reserve. They take a dip in the waters of Big Rock Falls too. Meanwhile, Professor Miano explains different types of Mayan warfare. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

29 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okzAkrGZImY

Rise of the SNAKE DYNASTY in the Yucatan - The Ruins of Dzibanche and Kohunlich

20 Apr 2020

Venturing into Quintana Roo, David and Cassie visit the ruins of two fascinating cities of Early Classic Period, Kohunlich and Dzibanche. These Maya sites were among the first to dominate the region. In this video, Dr. Miano will provide valuable information on the origins of the Snake or Kan Dynasty, probably the most famous of all ruling powers in ancient Mexico. Also discussed are the importance of Maya emblem glyphs and the practice of bloodletting. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

19 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC8TB_AIF_E

Should you go to CHICHEN ITZA? How about EK BALAM?

28 Aug 2020

One of the most popular destinations for tourism in Mexico these days is Chichen Itza, which brings in people from around the world. In this episode we look at the site from the perspective of ancient history fans, as well as the neighboring site of Ek Balam, which is far less crowded. If you are planning a trip to the Yucatan, this guide will help you make a decision whether you should go to one or the other or both. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

26 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngm9Ak7Qs58

The ANCIENT MAYA cities of KABAH and SAYIL - Exploring the Temple of King Chac Xib Chaac

10 Feb 2020

The Codz Pop is a fascinating temple in the ruins of Kabah that bears the image of king Chac Xib Chaac. Watch as Dr. Miano presents information on this fascinating and obscure ancient ruler. After that, come check out the site of the forgotten city of Sayil and its famous Great Palace. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

16 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxlYjAk_7WM

The LONGEST INHABITED CITY in the ancient MAYA world - Exploring LAMANAI

4 May 2020

David Miano and Cassie Thompson cross the border into Belize to find the ruins of the ancient city of Lamanai, which is nestled in the forest next to the New River Lagoon. This ancient city sports many fabulous pyramids, including the Temple of the Jaguar, Temple of the Masks, and the High Temple, from which you can get a beautiful and breathtaking view of the jungle and the water. Learn about travel in Belize. Professor Miano also explains some of the basics of Mayan hieroglyphics. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

13 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTxJZhiVzHM

Top Ten Places to Visit in the YUCATAN (Travel tips for ancient history lovers)

21 Sep 2020

If you're planning a trip to the Yucatan peninsula, whether Mexico or Belize, and you love ancient history, these are the top 10 to visit. David Miano and Cassie Thompson give you their recommendations of the very best locations, including archaeological sites and museums. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

22 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziFsld8mUSg

The Wonders of UXMAL - Best-preserved Mayan city in the Yucatan

28 Jan 2020

Our trip through the Yucatan peninsula begins! Arriving in Mérida, Mexico, we rent a vehicle and make our way to the ancient Maya city of Uxmal, perhaps the most important archaeological site of the Puuc region. The magnificent ruins blew us away, and we hope your eyes pop as you see the amazing structures and hear about their history. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

18 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf16exgLP4o

We went to Ancient EDZNA and had the entire city ALL TO OURSELVES

24 Feb 2020

Edzna is a fabulous archaeological site off the beaten path of tourism that every lover of ancient Maya civilization should visit. This magnificent forgotten city sits in northern Campeche at a crossroads that once brought in people from all over Mexico. David Miano and Cassie Thompson are your guides to this fantastic site, and they will also show you a wonderful lost city nearby, known as Santa Rosa Xtampak, which even fewer people visit, to their great loss. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

20 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IClJYGrdbZY

What Went Wrong in Mexico and Belize (How to Avoid Rookie Traveler Mistakes)

20 Oct 2020

If you're planning a trip to the Yucatan peninsula, whether Mexico or Belize, there are a few things you should watch out for. David and Cassie tell you about the worst experiences there, many of which they could have avoided, so that you can plan accordingly, if you wish to travel there. We hope their cautionary tales come in handy. [WOA = “World of Antiquity”, YouTube channel.]

19 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz2Dmz8LFgw

Lost Civilization - Journey to the Mysterious Lost Mayan Cities

23 Jul 2022

Do you want to discover one of the most mysterious civilizations on Earth? Today I'm taking you to explore the fascinating civilization of the Maya. This ancient people left behind monumental cities, an advanced system of arithmetic, sophisticated writing and refined solar calendars. [Wondody – The World of Odysseys (“Wondrous Odyssey”(?), YouTube channel.]

1 hour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRhTdFBhL6o

Exploring The Incredible Origins of Central America (Mayan/Aztec Documentary)

7 Sep 2021

Michael Wood visits Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico in Central America to study the history. // The continuing legacy of the Maya and the Aztec civilisations, societies which developed independently of the Old World. Loo[?] in the 16th and 17th century, and which continue to survive despite the spread of consumer values from North America. Also suggests common patterns in human development by comparing Mayan and Inca use of symbol, ritual and writing with that of ancient Old-World civilisations. The programme is filmed at Chichicastenango in the highlands of Quiche Maya in Guatemala; the Olmec settlement of La (1000 B.C.); the Mayan sites of Copan in Honduras (5th - 9th century A.D.), Tikal, and Flores in North Guatemala; Teotihuacan in the Valley of Mexico, the first true urban civilisation in Central America which appeared in the first millennium A.D. and where the Maya believed that creation began; Mexico City, the largest city on earth, and site of the great 14th century Aztec city of Tenochtitlan; the former capital of Antigua, built by the Spanish after their conquest of Guatemala; and the present day capital of Guatemala City, where many Indians now live in poverty. Also visits the annual Mayan festival of Wahxakib Batz (Eight Monkey) which (through translator) Mayan shaman, Andres Xiloj. // This film was first broadcast: 1992.

50 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaAPwBe3T58

Ancient Apocalypse - Rise and Fall of the Maya Civilization - Full Documentary

21 Aug 2023

Dive into the world of the Maya civilization, thriving between 250-900 CE. Marvel at their cities and advances in various sciences, juxtaposed with dark rituals and warfare. By 900 CE, these cities were abandoned. Discover with archaeologists what led to the Maya's mysterious decline in Central America's jungles. [One out of a series of six documentaries on the apocalyptic ends to ancient civilizations. © ZDF Enterprises 2021.]

50 minutes

Link, Title, and Description

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRddaJfdalE

Ancient Archaeologist Discovers Lost Maya 'Super City' in North America - Ed Barnhart & Luke Caverns

2 Dec 2024

Dr. Ed Barnhart holds a Ph.D. and has over 20 years of experience in North, Central, and South America as an archaeologist, explorer, and instructor. In 1994 he discovered the ancient city of Maax Na (Spider-Monkey House) & in 1998 he directed a three-year effort to survey and map the unknown sections of Palenque's ruins. Ed's map is currently one of the most detailed and accurate ever made of a Maya ruin. [The “North” in the title appears to be a typo, as the discovered “lost city” was in Belize (explanation is two minutes long, starting at 0:03:00).]

3 hours 27 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPotcUd6s3E

Ancient Maya Politics (video not book)

26 May 2021

Simon Martin is the author of Ancient Maya Politics. [Beatrice Rehl, is the archaeology editor at CUP, who worked with Martin on the Martin’s book Ancient Maya Politics. Webinair interview of Martin by Rehl.]

50 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxwcLJeG7i0

Kluge Book Conversation - Simon Martin on Ancient Maya Politics

10 Jun 2021

A discussion of ancient Maya politics in the context of anthropologist Simon Martin’s 2020 book “Ancient Maya Politics: A Political Anthropology of the Classic Period 150–900 CE.” Martin has taken the lead in understanding the politics of the Classic Maya (150-900 A.D.) based on deciphering their hieroglyphic script. Much of this work focuses on the complex hierarchies between individual kings and the ideology that enabled and sustained that order.

37 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m7E7XPva10

Guatemalan Jadeite with Mary Lou Ridinger of Jade Maya - FULL INTERVIEW

9 Aug 2022

For much of modern history, it was believed that the sources of Olmec and Mayan jade were lost to history without a trace. That is until Jay and Mary Lou Ridinger re-discovered sources of jade in Guatemala in the 1970s. // This is Mary Lou's remarkable story.

33 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcINHmjqHqA

"Edgewalker" Interview with Linda Schele

7 Dec 2021

A Film by Andrew Weeks in which Linda Schele spoke with Simon Martin. In January 1998, Linda Schele gave a long, filmed interview in which she talked freely and frankly in her own inimitable style about her life, work, and philosophy; about her extraordinary journey. When she died of cancer in April 1998, at the height of her powers, Linda Schele was the dominant personality in the field of Maya studies a subject of abiding fascination for a public enamoured of mysterious ruins and seemingly impenetrable inscriptions; an ancient culture which left behind a legacy of incredible images of beauty, power, and terror. Professor in the History of Art at the University of Texas, Austin, Linda Schele had become one of the best-known communicators to the public of the extraordinary discoveries which have changed our understanding of this ancient culture. Through her many television appearances on Discovery, National Geographic, PBS, BBC and A&E; her groundbreaking exhibition Blood of Kings; and her best-selling and award winning books Forest of Kings, Maya Cosmos, and most recently Code of Kings and Hidden Faces of the Maya, she revealed herself as a passionately communicative educator who believed the public deserved to share in the excitement of the work they were funding and delighted in presenting her discoveries directly to them. Others tapped into her inspirational gift for relating an ancient culture to our modern world and, amongst many keynote speeches at conferences and university commencements, NASA invited her to address their key staff on the relevance of understanding another world view. An outsider, in her own words an edgewalker, all her career, Linda had been an artist and teacher when the Maya captured her imagination. She had erupted into the field as a young woman just some strange little painter from Alabama in an academic discipline dominated by male archaeologists, just at the time when the investigation of the so-called Mysterious Maya was about to become the most dynamic area in the rediscovery of the ancient past. Linda was first captivated by the Maya on a chance visit to the ruins of Palenque in Mexico. At one of the most romantic archaeological sites in the world she found traces of a society where art was central, something of which as an artist and art teacher she had dreamed. Like many who fall in love with Palenque she vowed to return. Unlike most, she did... again and again. In time, it was to be at Palenque that she was first to play a crucial role in breaking the code of the Maya s hieroglyphic writing system. Her mission was to interpret and explain the historic Maya world of city states, kings, rulers, and religion to her own world. But, by working with the modern Maya peoples of Mexico and Guatemala, she began to understand the links between the Indian peoples own rich indigenous culture and their ancient past; and she began to hand back to these oppressed people the tools to repossess their history. This was what Linda Schele considered her most important work. The film Edgewalker pays tribute to Linda Schele by telling her story through her own words in the form of an interview in which she discusses her ideas by relating them to her personal life. This interview material is supported by a wide range of visual images including video footage of her talking to her tour groups on site at Palenque and Tikal, Schele family home movie footage, and photographs and the fine photography of Justin Kerr and MacDuff Everton. The film concludes with footage of the extraordinary ceremony, conducted by Maya priests, in which Linda was laid to rest overlooking Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, in the land of the Maya to whom she devoted her life.

50 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag5fGFwWwBU

Glyphers - Deciphering Mayan Society

31 Jan 2014

Host Marcia Alvar speaks with Linda Schele, Professor of Art at the University of Texas at Austin, and co-author of "Maya Cosmos: 3000 Years on the Shaman's Path." Professor Schele recounts her first involvement in the study of the Maya and in deciphering the Mayan glyphs. She discusses the stories and events told by the glyphs, and how they have redefined or disproved our previous conceptions of Mayan society. [“Upon Reflection 1994” - UWTV Marcia Alvar Interview with Linda Schele on the Maya, decipherment, and history.]

27 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KasW1DPGnYU

Mindscape 246 - David Stuart on Time and Science in Maya Civilization

14 Aug 2023

[podcast, audio only] You might remember the somewhat bizarre worries that swept through certain circles back in 2012, based on the end of the world being predicted by the Maya calendar. The world didn't end, which is unsurprising because the Maya hadn't predicted that, and for that matter they had no way of doing so. But there is very interesting archeology behind our understanding of how the Maya developed their calendar, as well as other aspects of their language and scientific understanding. Mayanist David Stuart takes us on a tour of what we know and what we're still discovering. // David Stuart received his Ph.D. in anthropology from Vanderbilt University. He is currently professor of Art History and Director of the Mesoamerica Center at the University of Texas, Austin. He is the youngest-ever recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship. Among his books is The Order of Days: Unlocking the Secrets of the Ancient Maya.

1 hour 9 minutes

Link, Title, and Description

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzOQmr36sBk

Great Battles - A Tale of Two City States - Quirigua’s Victory over Copan in 738 CE

17 Oct 2012

Part of our Great Battles: Moments in Time that Changed History Lecture Series. //Honduran archaeologist Ricardo Agurcia Fasquelle, Executive Director of the Copan Association, presents this inaugural lecture in the Great Battles Series. Until recently scholars depicted the ancient Maya as a peaceful civilization devoid of warfare. This somewhat romantic notion has been overturned by evidence of a starker reality: during the Classic period (ca. 250--900 CE) an array of Maya kingdoms were engaged in a series of major wars that ravaged the heart of the Maya homeland. For much of this era the major kingdom of Copan appears to have escaped these conflicts. Everything changed in 738 CE, however, when Copan was dramatically defeated by its far smaller vassal, Quirigua. // October 3rd, 2012.

55 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUAJoq4MgsQ

Stars & Scholars in the Archaeology of Copan, Honduras

19 Apr 2013

Ricardo Agurcia Fasquelle, Honduran archaeologist and Executive Director of the Copan Association, supports Penn Museum and provides a Honduran perspective on the research and the exhibition. The Copan Association is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the research of and public conversation about the cultural and natural heritage of Honduras. Over the past two decades he has directed extensive field work at Copan, where he has served as Regional Coordinator of Archaeological Projects for the Government of Honduras and as well as Co-Director of the Copan Acropolis Archaeological Project. From 1982 to 1986, he held the post of Director of the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History (IHAH), which is the governmental agency in charge of the cultural patrimony of Honduras. He has published and lectured widely in his own country as well as abroad and is best known for his articles in National Geographic Magazine as well as his recent book Copan: Kingdom of the Sun (Editorial Transamerica, Tegucigalpa). // His field research was recently featured as the cover story in the September/October 2009 issue of Archaeology magazine. [Poor audio, auto-generated subtitles available on YouTube.]

25 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPK018pDoLI

Temples that speak - Art and Architecture at Copan, Honduras

5 Nov 2012

Honduran archaeologist Ricardo Agurcia Fasquelle, Executive Director of the Copan Association, presents this talk, focusing on the preservation and management of archaeological resources and their rational use for tourism and the economic development of local communities. The PDRVC project (which began in 2003 and was financed by the World Bank) at Copan, Honduras is presented as a case study. Brown bag lecture - bring a lunch. Free admission! // Speaker Bio: Ricardo Agurcia has invested more than thirty years of work at the monumental site of Copan in Western Honduras, which is one of the Maya civilization's pre-eminent cities and—in terms of its architecture, arts, and hieroglyphic inscriptions—certainly one of its most spectacular. His work at Copan has taken him in two different but related directions, one of them crucial to the recovery and understanding of the past and the other paramount to guaranteeing that the past remains present. The first is archaeological exploration of the site, in which he first engaged in 1978. Since then, he has served many rolls including that of the Honduran government's Coordinator of Archaeological Projects in the Copan region, co-director of the Copan Acropolis Archaeological Project and director of the Oropendola Project as well as the CIAVAC (acropolis conservation) Project. As part of his research on the Acropolis, he discovered "Rosalila", the only known Copan temple to have survived complete, down to the magnificent painted stucco ornamentation of its façade. The second direction in which his career has carried him is toward preservation and management of archaeological resources, and the rational use of those resources for tourism and economic development. In 2003, the World Bank made a 12-million-dollar soft loan to encourage sustainable development at Copan and four other archaeological parks in Honduras. In his view, "Archaeology at Copan is not just about dead people. It is about the growth and development of contemporary populations. It is about feeding poor people, giving them jobs, and making them proud of their heritage". To implement some of these goals, he founded and now directs the Copan Association (www.asociacioncopan.org), a non-profit organization that promotes research and protection of Honduras's patrimony, both cultural and natural. He was appointed Research Fellow in Pre-Columbian Studies at Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collections (Trustees for Harvard University) for the 1996-1997 Academic Year and returned there as a Visiting Scholar in 2011. He has participated in many events sponsored by the U.N. and he has published both articles and books. He has been a Consulting Scholar with the University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology since 2008. [Poor audio, auto-generated subtitles available on YouTube.]

1 hour 0 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5vk7XTf6OM

Calculating Brilliance - Mayan Hieroglyphic History and the Future of Thought

2 Sep 2023

Dr. Gerardo Aldana (UC Santa Barbara) brings Indigenous science and discovery into conversation while reviewing their new book, Calculating Brilliance: An Intellectual History of Mayan Astronomy at Chich'en Itza.

In this talk based on the recently published book Calculating Brilliance: An Intellectual History of Mayan Astronomy at Chich’en Itza (2022), Prof. Gerardo Aldana reflects on the effort to understand indigenous math and science from unique Mayan hieroglyphic written records, as refracted by philosophical and cosmological concerns. He examines the case of a historical event from the Terminal Classic period Chich’en Itza, attested in texts, iconography, in song and in oral history–and argues how, through this study, we encounter alter-native interpretations of the archaeological record and confront an indigenous cosmological humility carrying particular meaning and utility within our challenging contemporary global contexts.

1 hour 4 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehw9mxV76aQ

Mayan Archaeoastronomy with Dr. Anthony Aveni

30 Sep 2021

Dr. Anthony Aveni talks with us about Mayan archaeoastronomy, a field of study that he founded and teaches about as a university professor. We also discuss Mayan timekeeping and their apocalyptic worldview. // Dr. Aveni is an astrophysicist and anthropologist. He just retired as a professor of Astronomy, Anthropology, and Native American studies at Colgate University where he has taught since 1963. // He helped develop the field of archaeoastronomy, and he is one of the founders of Mesoamerican archaeoastronomy. He has done extensive research on the astronomical history of the Maya Indians of Mexico and has done similar research in North America, Peru, Israel, Italy, and Greece

27 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4roz-DGShmc

The End of Time - The Maya Mystery of 2012

23 Jan 2013

The End of Time: The Maya Mystery of 2012. // Dr. Anthony F. Aveni, author of the bestselling book, The End of Time: The Maya Mystery of 2012, explores theories about the widely prophesized "end of the world" in December 2012 by measuring them objectively against the evidence of archaeology, iconography, and epigraphy. Dr. Aveni considers information from the earth sciences and astronomy about the likelihood of worldwide Armageddon. Finally, the prophesies are placed in the broader cultural and historical context of how other cultures, ancient and modern, thought about the "end of things" and why cataclysmic events enjoy widespread appeal in contemporary American pop culture. This program is presented in conjunction with our current exhibition, MAYA 2012: Lords of Time.

1 hour 7 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWHzbYQW7B4

Jaime Awe - Maya Cities - Sacred Caves of Belize

18 Mar 2015

Dr. Jaime Awe gives a presentation on the archaeology of Belize in preparation for the VVAC's annual Central America trip.

1 hour 27 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtoeUn1Cwko

The Story of How the Code was Broken [Barnhart]

22 Mar 2023

Dear viewers, CHAP is committed to providing accurate and high-quality content and appreciates your interest. Unfortunately, during Dr. Ed Barnhart's presentation on the Mayan hieroglyphs, some footage of the laser pointer on the projection screen was unclear and/or indecipherable. This takes place from 10:51 - 11:22, 18:56 - 19:24, 25:21 - 26:12, 34:23 - 34:31, 39:43 - 40:34, 41:55 - 42:07, 45:33 - 45:59, 46:56 - 47:01, and 47:22 - 50:36. // We have included the original PowerPoint slides during these intervals. We understand that losing the details provided by Dr. Barnhart may cause confusion for some viewers and apologize for the inconvenience. [CHAP = “Cultural Historical Awareness Program.]

1 hour 8 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1UYezl6qiY

Maya at the Playa 2021 - Clarissa Cagnato - From the Visible to the Invisible - Ancient Maya and Teotihuacan Foodways as Understood by the Study of Macro- and Microbotanical Remains

7 Oct 2021

M@P2021 Clarissa Cagnato - From the Visible to the Invisible: Ancient Maya and Teotihuacan Foodways as Understood by the Study of Macro- and Microbotanical Remains. Originally presented on September 25, 2021 at the 15th Annual Maya at the Playa Conference.

41 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdQJKEA4ZMI

The rise and fall of Teotihuacan with David Carballo

24 Mar 2016

How do archaeologists seek to explain the similarities and differences observable in early cities? Why did the earliest cities in pre-Columbian Mexico, such as Teotihuacan, emerge, expand, thrive, and eventually decline? Why did pre-Aztec civilisations build enormous pyramids? What were their religious practices? // The archaeology of early urbanism provides deep historical context for an increasingly urbanized world. Some 2500 years ago, central Mexico became one of the most urbanized parts of the planet, and has remained so to this day. Prior to the Aztecs, the city of Teotihuacan developed as the largest city in the Americas, and one of the largest in the world during the first centuries of the Common Era. // But how did Teotihuacan fall? // David Carballo will provide an overview of archaeological research on the rise and collapse of Teotihuacan by focusing particularly on a southern district of the city, which was inhabited by a lower socioeconomic stratum and provides a perspective on the daily life of commoners as well as the broader processes of urban growth. He will describe hints of urban planning in the extension of the city’s central artery, the Street of the Dead. // Based on his new book Urbanization and Religion in Ancient Central Mexico, he will discuss the religious practices and beliefs of the different civilisations that inhabited Teotihuacan and the role of pre-Aztec pyramids such as the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan. Many of its secrets will be revealed.

47 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcmKbZ3D1Gg

Maya at the Playa 2021 - John F. Chuchiak - Libations and Beverage of the Gods - Gender Foodways and Ritual Feasting in Colonial Maya Rituals, 1527-1797

8 Oct 2021

M@P2021 - John F. Chuchiak - Libations and Beverage of the Gods: Gender Foodways and Ritual Feasting in Colonial Maya Rituals, 1527-1797. Originally presented on September 25, 2021 at the 15th Annual Maya at the Playa Conference.

1 hour 21 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqzScCfV274

Deciphering the Maya Script

Lecture #1

30 Jul 2012

[M.] Coe is the Charles J. MacCurdy Professor of Anthropology, Emeritus at Yale University. He is recognized for his work in the field of the ethnohistory of Mesoamerica, the historical archaeology of northeastern United States, and writing systems. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Anthropological Institute, and the Mexican Society of Anthropology. Born in New York in 1929, Coe received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1959. He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee (1958-1960), after which he joined the Yale University faculty. Coe has authored numerous world-renowned books on Mesoamerica including Breaking the Maya Code (1992). This book constitutes an informed account of one of the most exciting adventures of our age, the extraordinary breakthrough in deciphering the inscribed remains of Mayan monuments. Coe's other works include The Maya (1966), America's First Civilization: Discovering the Olmec (1968), and The True History of Chocolate (1996). // UCTV (University of California production).

2 hours 0 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPjQ82-MlSs

More Than a Drink: Chocolate in the Pre-Columbian World

Lecture #2

30 Jul 2012

[M.] Coe is the Charles J. MacCurdy Professor of Anthropology, Emeritus at Yale University. He is recognized for his work in the field of the ethnohistory of Mesoamerica, the historical archaeology of northeastern United States, and writing systems. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Anthropological Institute, and the Mexican Society of Anthropology. Born in New York in 1929, Coe received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1959. He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee (1958-1960), after which he joined the Yale University faculty. Coe has authored numerous world-renowned books on Mesoamerica including Breaking the Maya Code (1992). This book constitutes an informed account of one of the most exciting adventures of our age, the extraordinary breakthrough in deciphering the inscribed remains of Mayan monuments. Coe's other works include The Maya (1966), America's First Civilization: Discovering the Olmec (1968), and The True History of Chocolate (1996). // UCTV (University of California production).

1 hour 22 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwR-TKbieEk

New Light on the Ancient Maya

7 Sep 2010

During the past two decades, discoveries and research by archaeologists, epigraphers, art historians, and natural scientists have changed many of our ideas about the origins and nature of Maya civilization, and the probable causes of its collapse in the 9th century. Examine the profound effect of what has been learned on how we now think about the most complex New World culture. // Michael Coe, Yale University.

59 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBB__YXYpOc

Parallel Civilizations - Ancient Angkor and the Ancient Maya

Lecture #3

30 Jul 2012

[M.] Coe is the Charles J. MacCurdy Professor of Anthropology, Emeritus at Yale University. He is recognized for his work in the field of the ethnohistory of Mesoamerica, the historical archaeology of northeastern United States, and writing systems. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Anthropological Institute, and the Mexican Society of Anthropology. Born in New York in 1929, Coe received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1959. He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee (1958-1960), after which he joined the Yale University faculty. Coe has authored numerous world-renowned books on Mesoamerica including Breaking the Maya Code (1992). This book constitutes an informed account of one of the most exciting adventures of our age, the extraordinary breakthrough in deciphering the inscribed remains of Mayan monuments. Coe's other works include The Maya (1966), America's First Civilization: Discovering the Olmec (1968), and The True History of Chocolate (1996). // UCTV (University of California production).

1 hour 29 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNH3W61RJZY

Popol Vuh - Michael Coe PhD. UC Merced

This video recording was done on March 2, 2012 in the Cultural Arts Center at Merced, California. This is a Project of the Mexica Movement. Video recording by Naui Ocelotl Huitzilopochtli and Olin Tezcatlipoca. // Here we share with you Dr. Michael D. Coe making the keynote address on the POPOL VUH: Symposium Celebrating the Ancient Maya Creation Myth in Literature, Iconography, Epigraphy, Ethnohistory, and Archaeology. // Dr. Coe is an author, archaeologist, anthropologist, epigrapher, and a professor at Yale in the Department of Anthropology. // It was a great privilege for members of the Mexica Movement to hear this great man lecture on the Popol Vuh… He has helped our people regain the intellectual and cultural heritage that is rightfully ours. // Thank you very much Dr. Coe. [Poor audio quality, auto-generated subtitles available on YouTube.]

49 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFPbc4XyJ0s

Solving Mysteries of the Ancient Maya, Dr. Michael Coe Anthropologist

7 Oct 2018

The decipherment of the Maya script and recent archaeological investigation have solved many Maya mysteries: the origins of Maya civilization, the nature of Classic period city-states, the Maya view of the world and the supernatural, and (perhaps) the factors that contributed to the disastrous collapse of the Classic Maya. // March 10, 2011.

1 hour 43 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxZSft6XZ0Q

Mayan Hieroglyphs

8 Jun 2019

Jorge De Leon gave us a quick introduction to Mayan Hieroglyphs. He showed our hosts the basics of reading and writing and they learnt to write their names. He offers sessions to those who are interested in learning the history of the hieroglyphs and the Mayan calendar. [Talk-show interview on Belize tv.]

50 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfvS8ENVyJ0

The Mysteries of the Ancient Maya Civilization and the Apogee of Art in the Americas

16 Apr 2013

Presented by Dr. Arthur Demarest, Vanderbilt University Ingram Professor, Anthropology; director, Vanderbilt Institute of Mesoamerican Archaeology (VIMA); general editor, VIMA Monographs in Archaeology. // Dr. Arthur Demarest, an anthropologist and archaeologist, is considered one of the world's leading experts on Olmec and Maya cultures that are represented in the exhibition Exploring Art of the Ancient Americas: The John Bourne Collection. Demarest's work is reshaping ideas about the ancient, advanced, but long-lost Maya society. He is a Department of Anthropology project director in Central America and has spent much of that time excavating the ancient Maya port city of Cancuén. Join Professor Demarest as he discusses his interests in Pre-Columbian religion and ritual and the collapse of civilizations. // This program is presented in partnership with the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) at Vanderbilt University.

1 hour 21 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gueOZw2Mjm8

Maya at the Playa 2021 - Harper Dine & Traci Ardren - In Pursuit of an Experience

7 Oct 2021

M@P 2021 - Harper Dine & Traci Ardren - In Pursuit of an Experience: Representations of Maya communities, heritage, and cuisine in "foodie" media. Originally presented on September 24, 2021 at the 15th Annual Maya at the Playa Conference.

41 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBt3_xHbgRk

The Astronomical Secrets of the Maya (including the observatory El Caracol)

7 Dec 2024

This is a lecture about a chapter of my world history book called: "In Search of the Sublime - A world history of humanity's relentless pursuit of scientific truth, moral excellence, and enlightenment." [Author Stephan Dinkgreve is the creator of the YouTube channel “Stephan's History of the World”.]

10 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXD5uyvoSGo

The Dresden Codex - The BEST Maya Astronomy!

24 Mar 2024

This is a lecture about a chapter of my world history book called: "In Search of the Sublime - A world history of humanity's relentless pursuit of scientific truth, moral excellence, and enlightenment." [Author Stephan Dinkgreve is the creator of the YouTube channel “Stephan's History of the World”.]

19 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdGzoiVHYck

The MAYA found the year with an error of only 1 SECOND

10 Dec 2024

This is a lecture about a chapter of my world history book called: "In Search of the Sublime - A world history of humanity's relentless pursuit of scientific truth, moral excellence, and enlightenment." [Author Stephan Dinkgreve is the creator of the YouTube channel “Stephan's History of the World”.]

13 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7xe_3FGTTw

The Mysterious Maya Calendar Explained

17 Mar 2024

This is a lecture about a chapter of my world history book called: "In Search of the Sublime - A world history of humanity's relentless pursuit of scientific truth, moral excellence, and enlightenment." [Author Stephan Dinkgreve is the creator of the YouTube channel “Stephan's History of the World”.]

18 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPX7r7msHBs

Raise a Cup of Foaming Cacao - Intercontinental Interaction Between Mesoamerica and South America

16 Apr 2022

Lecture from 9/30/21 by Jonathan Dubois

Raise a Cup of Foaming Cacao: A Re-examination of the Origins of Intercontinental Interaction Between Mesoamerica and South America. // Most of our knowledge about the practice of rituals involving the consumption of fermented cacao beverages comes from Mesoamerican ethnohistory and Classic Period (300-900 CE) iconography and epigraphy. Recent studies have demonstrated that cacao was likely domesticated in Northwestern South America at least a millennium before it came into use farther north. My investigations have begun to demonstrate that imagery related to cacao in Mesoamerica also appears more than a millennium earlier in South America, during the Formative (1500-500 BCE). I will discuss the iconographic evidence from both regions and explore the implications of this evidence. We end with a discussion of an ethnohistoric model for what these earliest long-distance traders may have been - specialists in the ceremonies and traditions surrounding the plants and objects they were trading in.

1 hour 22 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7eXguojiPg

A conversation with Dr. Caitlin Earley on Yaxchilán Lintels 24 and 25

10 Feb 2022

Join Dr. Caitlin Earley to learn how to incorporate and approach these grandiose carved stone lentils from the significant Mayan center Yaxchilán into the classroom. [A Smarthistory webinar, Smarthistory = YouTube channel. Title doesn’t include Lintel 26, but it is given as much time as the other two.]

46 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkRZMuUCxms

Chapter 11-1 "The Classic Maya World"

4 Dec 2020

ANTH 2302 Archaeology. // An open course on Archaeology, with a discussion of the three lands of the Maya, a watery underworld, tropical seasons, and how to grow corn in the rainforest. // It is an exploration of the archaeology of Classic Maya civilization. // Any errors or mistakes are mine alone. Sorry about them.

36 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93SDU46awII

Chapter 11-2 "The Maya forest, The Hero Twins, and the Birth of the Maize God"

7 Dec 2020

ANTH 2302 Archaeology. // An open course on Archaeology, with a discussion of the tropical forests, forest animals, the jaguar the epic of the Hero twins and the Birth of the Maize God. // It is an exploration of the archaeology of Classic Maya civilization. // Any errors or mistakes are mine alone. Sorry about them.

38 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bDDioELfLs

Chapter 12-1 "Classic Maya Archaeology"

14 Dec 2020

ANTH 2302 Archaeology. // An open course on Archaeology, with a discussion of the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, chocolate money, garden-cities in the jungle, and epigraphic history. // It is an exploration of the archaeology of Classic Maya civilization. // Any errors or mistakes are mine alone. Sorry about them.

42 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pVXgSkBcGo

Chapter 12-2 "The End of a World, the Classic Maya Collapse"

18 Dec 2020

ANTH 2302 Archaeology. // An open course on Archaeology, with a discussion of betrayed brothers, Star Wars in the jungle, landscapes of fear, collapsing ceramic spheres, and the last days of great cities. // It is an exploration of the archaeology of Classic Maya civilization. // Any errors or mistakes are mine alone. Sorry about them.

46 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WYaPuwsLzQ

ANTH 2346 Chapter 11-1 "Sociocultural Anthropology and the Maya"

20 Jun 2020

ANTH 2346 General Anthropology. // Discussing a case study in Sociocultural Anthropology: the Maya people of Central and North America. // A discussion of movies good and terrible, jungle cities, sorcerer queens, and living in an animate landscape. // Any errors or mistakes are mine alone. Sorry about them.

24 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4sfUznCEjY

ANTH 2346 Chapter 11-2 "Subjective Reality and the Maya"

20 Jun 2020

ANTH 2346 General Anthropology. // Following a case study of Sociocultural Anthropology and the Maya peoples, trying to take a peek into the Subjective Reality of the Maya people. // A discussion of smoking saints, the daughters of God L, dreaming mountains, and magic stones. // Any errors or mistakes are mine alone. Sorry about them.

26 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9IInfLpH6w

The Codex Maya of Mexico -Codice Maya- Fully Explained- page-by-page. Formerly the Grolier Codex

29 Nov 2022

The Codice Maya de Mexico has one primary story; it records the complex movements of the planet Venus across its 4 cycles. The 10-pages codex records 65 complete Venus Cycles, which takes a total of 104 years. // The Codice Maya of Mexico was written in 1,110 CE by a single Mayan scribe. It is the oldest book in all the Americas. This video will translate this 900-year-old Maya Codex, page-by-page. // The book was found in the 1960s by looters, and it's taken more than 50 years to analyze and authenticate this book. But this Mexican book is 100% real. [Animated presentation by Professor Estrada.]

25 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teE4cwa4g0s

Decoding Maya Hieroglyphs with 3D Technology

21 Nov 2017

Barbara Fash, Director, Corpus of Maya Hieroglyphic Inscriptions Program and the Gordon R. Willey Laboratory for Mesoamerican Studies, Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

The Peabody Museum has conducted archaeological research in the Maya site of Copan, Honduras, since the 1890s. One of Copan’s most iconic elements is a staircase made of over 620 blocks carved with Maya glyphs. Dating back to the eighth century CE, this stairway has captivated Mayanists since its discovery, but the meaning of its texts has remained a mystery—until now. Barbara Fash will discuss how 3D technology and scholarly collaborations are merging to decode the Hieroglyphic Stairway, in conjunction with Honduran and international organizations aimed at conserving this World Heritage Site. [Recorded 11/08/17]

56 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_0rBcv7Xgo

Maya at the Playa 2021 - Chelsea Fisher - Food Justice, Celebrity Chefs, and the Archaeology of Farming Communities in the Yaxunah Ejido, Yucatán

7 Oct 2021

M@P2021 - Chelsea Fisher - Food Justice, Celebrity Chefs, and the Archaeology of Farming Communities in the Yaxunah Ejido, Yucatán. Originally presented on September 24, 2021 at the 15th Annual Maya at the Playa Conference.

52 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN6WrfJGlSg

Mayan Hieroglyphics 101

23 Dec 2020

Presented in December 2020, Alejandro Garay Herrera of the University of Bonn discusses Maya Hieroglyphics. This writing system was used by the Maya for almost two millennia in pre-Hispanic times throughout the Mayan region. Professor Garay explains some basic principles of how this writing system works as well as some notions about the Mayan calendrical systems, some of which are still in use in Guatemala today.

1 hour 50 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77TFgWlpoc8

Tikal - The Mayan City of the Jaguar God

10 Oct 2019

The Maya were a native people of Mexico and Central America who inhabited the lands comprising modern-day Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tabasco, and Chiapas. Their civilization stretched well beyond current-day Mexican borders, southward through Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras. The overall time span of the Maya extended from 7000 BCE to 1524 CE. But their civilisation reached its apex of maximum splendor during the so-called ‘Classic Period’, from 250 to 900 CE. [GEO = Geographics”, YouTube channel.]

22 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FaLcrMMEcQ

The Three Hearthstones and the Birth of the Sun - The Orion Nebula in the Cosmology of the Maya

22 May 2021

Final lecture in the Cultural Astronomy series. // The Three Hearthstones and the Birth of the Sun: The Orion Nebula in the Cosmology of the Maya. // Presented by Dr. Michael Grofe. // Sacramento City College, Sacramento, CA. // The Three Hearthstones are prominent in the cosmological texts throughout the Classic inscriptions in which they represent the place in which the sun was born as a self-sacrificing deity who gives his energy and his life so that all may live. Extraordinarily, we now know that the Orion Nebula is a stellar nursery where 700 new suns and solar systems are forming, the largest of which will one day become supernovae, creating new matter, and ultimately new solar systems. [The opening of the lecture itself has the title “The Copán Baseline - A New Interpretation” as the first slide, which is what Grofe describes the lecture as. “The Three Hearthstones and the Birth of the Sun” is the YouTube title.]

1 hour 6 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CvFeJJTl3w

Authenticating the Códice Maya de México (English)

7 Dec 2022

In 2017 several research teams analyzed the Códice Maya de México, previously known as the Grolier Codex, to assess whether the document was authentic or a forgery. Using both non-invasive and invasive scientific methods, the material evidence confirmed that the document was manufactured in the Early Postclassic period (AD 1000–1300), making it the oldest surviving book created in the Americas. Discussing topics ranging from the discovery of Maya Blue pigment to radiocarbon dating, Gerardo Gutiérrez will present the results of tests undertaken by the University of Colorado Boulder in collaboration with the Biblioteca Nacional de Antropología e Historia of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia of Mexico, to support the authenticity of the Códice Maya de México.

1 hour 0 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFYiqOfRvDw

2012 and the End of the World - A Maya or a Modern Prophesy?

14 Dec 2012

Stories abound in popular culture about the end of the world citing prophesies apparently set out by the ancient Maya over a thousand years ago. The Maya are widely recognized as having one of the most advanced calendars in the New World and they are known to have been able to track time into the thousands of years. But how much of the infamous "prophecy of doom" that has been attributed to them is what they truly said or actually meant? // Dr. Haines brought the Trent University community with the public to discuss the "2012 prophesy" in her lecture as part of the Trent Oshawa Anthropology Lecture Series. In her talk, "2012 and the End of the World: A Maya or a Modern Prophesy?" Professor Haines explained key aspects of Maya culture, with particular focus on their concept of time and how their calendar functioned. // Dr. Helen R. Haines is an assistant professor of Anthropology at Trent University Oshawa Thornton Road Campus. She specializes in ancient Maya culture and has worked in Mesoamerica excavating Maya sites for the past 22 years. Prof. Haines currently directs the Ka'Kabish Archaeological Research Project in Belize investigating the origins of Maya kingship and the formations of early state societies.

1 hour 6 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic5oyfAKSB4

PSW 2472 Mayan Civilization in Northern Guatemala - Richard Hansen

[Subtitle: An Extensive Civilization Revealed with Extraordinary LiDAR Technology]

22 Feb 2023

The Mirador-Calakmul Karst Basin is a natural and cultural wonder found in the extreme northern Peten rainforest of Guatemala and southern Campeche, Mexico. It contains a unique concentration of early and large ancient cities dating to the Middle and Late Preclassic periods (1000 B.C.- A.D. 150). It also contains the last area of intact rainforest left in Guatemala and southern Mexico. The sites are renowned, not only for their size and density, but also for the size of the structures – the pyramid of Danta at El Mirador is one of the largest ancient structures in the world. // Hundreds of ancient settlements, revealed with extraordinary LiDAR technology, are found within the geographical borders of the Basin, many of which are linked by a major ancient causeway network (the first “superhighway” system in the world), providing what appears to be one of the earliest incipient state level societies in the Western Hemisphere. // This unique combination of flora, fauna, and ancient cultural remains provides an unparalleled opportunity for conservation and development on a world class scale. However, as magnificent as the Mirador Basin is, it is under dire threat from logging, looting, narcotic trafficking, petroleum interests, poaching, and human trafficking. Much of the basin has been authorized for logging, supported by environmental organizations and foreign governmental institutions. The logging programs are viewed by some scholars as not sustainable due to the abundance of large swamps and the numbers of ancient cultural sites. The roads that are placed to extract logs provide avenues for uncontrolled cutting and burning of forest, and allow looting, poaching, and facilitate organized crime interests. // Conservation of the forests of the entire basin could be justified economically by the preservation and development of the world-class archaeological sites. Abundant data demonstrate that the controlled eco-tourism potential is a vastly superior economic opportunity for Guatemala than any other exploitation mechanism. A new model of conservation has been suggested to preserve the area as a Cultural and Natural Wilderness Sanctuary without roads or plane airstrips to neutralize organized crime. The use of LiDAR technology has provided the hope and the incentive that the sites will provide the strong economic justification that can allow preservation of the forest, conserve major archaeological sites, and provide critical economic resources in the impoverished communities that surround the basin, which will ultimately help establish a new cultural identity for Guatemala.

1 hour 52 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE8BNer2H3k

The Origins & Collapse of the Preclassic Maya in the Mirador Basin, Guatemala

31 Jul 2014

According to Richard Hansen, the concentration of large cities in the Mirador Basin in the Middle and Late Preclassic periods (circa 1000 B.C. to A.D. 150) led to the construction of the largest pyramids on the planet, the largest ancient Maya cities, the first "freeway" system in the world and the first true state-level society in the Western Hemisphere.

1 hour 31 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWGXWkFXulQ

Fighting for Water - War and Agriculture in Mesoamerica

18 Jun 2013

Dr. Annabeth Headrick's work focuses on archaeological cultures, but she incorporates traditions and beliefs of living Indigenous peoples as a way to understand the past. This talk brings to life objects in the exhibition Exploring Art of the Ancient Americas: The John Bourne Collection by explaining the various costume elements and their meanings. In addition, the lecture illuminates how costume was a critical part of statecraft, war, and worship. // This program is presented in partnership with the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) at Vanderbilt University.

1 hour 22 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRmY5YQGu54

Ritual Enema Scenes on Ancient Maya Pottery - 2022 Ig Informal Lecture

16 Jan 2023

The Ig Nobel Prizes honor achievements that make people LAUGH, then THINK. // In the Ig Informal Lectures, some days after the ceremony, the new Ig Nobel Prize winners attempt to explain what they did, and why they did it. // The 2022 Ig Nobel Prize for Economics was awarded to Peter de Smet and Nicholas Hellmuth, for their study “A Multidisciplinary Approach to Ritual Enema Scenes on Ancient Maya Pottery.” // REFERENCE: “A Multidisciplinary Approach to Ritual Enema Scenes on Ancient Maya Pottery,” Peter A.G.M. de Smet and Nicholas M. Hellmuth, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 16, no. 2-3, 1986, pp. 213-262

8 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcBA9e5osxU

Maya Religion Explained

5 Dec 2021

[Video essay presented by Dr. Andrew M. Henry in his channel ReligionForBreakfast.]

24 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc_77UVWMw0

Maya Dynasty and Kingship in the Temple of the Night Sun - Prof Stephen Houston

17 May 2016

The Second Raymond and Beverley Sackler Distinguished Lecture in Archaeology in honour of Professor Norman Hammond - Founder's Effects: Maya Dynasty and Kingship in the Temple of the Night Sun by Professor Stephen Houston, Brown University. // Excavations at El Zotz, Guatemala, found “wonderful things”: the untouched tomb and treasure of a dynastic founder. That person lived amid disorder. For a generation or more, Tikal and other major settlements had responded to incursions from the imperial city of Teotihuacan, far away in what is now Mexico. The drama and dramatic contents of the tomb reflect that time. Covered by a temple with rich sculpture, Burial 9 exemplifies the range of kingly roles. The ruler takes life, assembles wealth, dances, and dines with gusto. He may die but, like the sun, will rise to live again, charting unending order to come. // Stephen Houston is the Dupee Family Professor of Social Science at Brown University. His research interests are in Mesoamerica, especially Mayan iconography and hieroglyphics. He has worked on the excavations of several major Mayan cities, most recently the ancient city of Piedras Negras in Guatemala, and previously at El Zotz, Guatemala. // The Second Raymond and Beverley Sackler Distinguished Lecture in Archaeology in honour of Professor Norman Hammond was presented in the Mill Lane Lecture Room on 5th May 2016 and a reception followed at The McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research.

1 hour 10 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwH7FxL3lqM

Run, Don’t Walk - Sacred Movement among the Classic Maya

9 Oct 2013

The Classic Maya made a critical distinction between the ordinary daily movement of humans and sacred, formal movement. Stephen D. Houston examines a rich inventory of glyphic references, imagery, and formal routes to show how linear movement formed the essence of sacred and marked motion among the Maya. // Stephen D. Houston is the Dupee Family Professor of Social Science and Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology at Brown University. // The Tatiana Proskouriakoff Award Lecture 2013 was presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology at Harvard University on October 3, 2013.

1 hour 4 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxveog3liyM

Stephen Houston on Maya Warfare

3 Oct 2019

Stephen Houston discussed ancient Maya warfare and the meanings of conflict and its aftermath. Drawing on recent explorations, Houston showcased the lidar technology now revolutionizing the study of Pre-Columbian civilizations. // Stephen Houston is Dupee Family Professor of Social Science at Brown University and the Library of Congress Kislak Chair for the Study of the History and Cultures of the Early America[s].

54 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umMwlcqB2gc

Maya at the Playa 2021 - Kerry Hull & Mark A. Wright - “Building Blood” - Plants in Medicine and Myth

8 Oct 2021

M@P2021 - Kerry Hull & Mark A. Wright - "Building Blood": Plants in Medicine and Myth among the Mopan Maya of San Jose, Belize. Originally presented on September 25, 2021 at the 15th Annual Maya at the Playa Conference.

33 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKUyBfMXzq0

Heather Hurst - San Bartolo Murals - Lecture for Boundary End

26 Feb 2021

Dr. Heather Hurst of Skidmore College presented BEARC's Virtual Lecture on YouTube February 24, 2021. // Assembling the World’s Most Difficult Puzzle: The Broken Maya Murals of San Bartolo, Guatemala. // "We are excited to have Heather present this incredible story as part of our Virtual Lecture Series on YouTube," said Maxime Lamoureux St-Hilaire, BEARC's president. // Abstract: The outstanding origin mythology depicted in the San Bartolo murals was a remarkable discovery from a previously unknown Late Preclassic period Maya site. Ten years of excavation, conservation, and documentation brought the in situ north and west walls of the buried chamber named Sub-1A into focus, significantly advancing studies of ancient Maya iconography, religion, and governance. Yet this was only half the story. In contrast to the excellent preservation of the in situ walls, the east and south walls of the temple were intentionally broken and buried by the Maya as part of its ritual termination in the 1st century. It took several additional years to recover over 3000 mural fragments during archaeological excavations of the Sub-1A chamber, and then slowly piece sections back together based on iconographic and stylistic characteristics. The “second chapter” of the San Bartolo murals is becoming visible in numerous reassembled scenes. This presentation will share our methodologies for reassembly and recent results in solving this challenging puzzle. // Imagine 7,000 fragments of stucco over 2000 years old, painted bright colors. Pieced together, they form a stunning panorama of scenes depicting the Maya maize god, blood-letting sacrifices, turtle caves and a principal bird deity. // “Seeing this today brings back the thrill of discovery,” said Hurst. “...I’m reminded of the moment we found the beautiful calligraphic lines that were fluid and precise. The awe of seeing the intense colors of black, red, yellow, and white…the precise yet stylized images of men, women, and deities”. (From Skidmore College's website by Julia Marco.) // Hurst's current work on the murals of San Bartolo has support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Guggenheim Foundation, National Geographic Society, and the Mesoamerica Center of the University of Texas at Austin. [BEARC = “Boundary End Archaeology Research Center”, YouTube channel.]

1 hour 12 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNGKMI_iBnA

Inomata & Triadan - Early Formal Ceremonial Complexes and Olmec-Maya Interaction

22 Sep 2021

Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society. AAHS@Home Lecture. // Abstract: The origins of Maya civilization and its relation with Olmec civilization have long been debated. To examine this question, we have been conducting archaeological investigations at Ceibal, Guatemala, and in the Middle Usumacinta region in southeastern Mexico. In Mexico, we identified the site of Aguada Fénix, with a rectangular artificial plateau measuring 1,400 m in length and dating to 1,050-750 BC. This is the largest and oldest monumental construction in the Maya area. This find encouraged us to expand our study of similar formal ceremonial complexes by analyzing lidar data. By examining low-resolution lidar obtained by the Mexican government, we covered an area of 85,000 km2, including the Olmec region and the western Maya lowlands. The identifications of many complexes, most of which were not known to archaeologists before our research, transform our understanding of the emergence of Mesoamerican civilizations.

1 hour 10 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiITjY8k-Kw

The Origins of Maya Civilization - New Insights from Ceibal

22 Apr 2015

In the 1960s, Gordon Willey and a team of Harvard archaeologists led the investigation of Ceibal, a Maya site in Guatemala. Their research revealed that Ceibal was a very early settlement, one that predated the cities constructed in the heyday of Maya civilization. Recent excavations in Ceibal, directed by Takeshi Inomata and Daniela Triadan, have produced exciting new findings, including the discovery of what is considered the earliest ceremonial complex in the Maya lowlands, dating to 950 BCE. Inomata and Triadan discuss the new discoveries and what they reveal about the origins of Maya culture and society.

This Gordon R. Willey Lecture was co-presented by the Museum of Science, Boston, and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology on February 19, 2015.

1 hour 15 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsB_ksMZMYk

Early Monumental Construction and the Origins of Maya Civilization - Takeshi Inomata

10 Nov 2020

[Original Italian text translated to English by Google Translate] Takeshi Inomata, professor at the School of Anthropology at the University of Arizona, guest at the Institute's webinar, talks about the discovery published in Nature which calls into question the origins of the Mayan civilization. // In Tabasco, Mexico, not far from the Usumacinta River near the north-western border of Guatemala, a team of international researchers led by Professor Takeshi Inomata, thanks to the use of the LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) remote sensing method, has detected in 2017 a monumental complex currently considered, as stated in the article recently published in the prestigious journal Nature, "the oldest monumental construction ever found in the Maya area and the largest in the entire pre-Hispanic history of the region". // With the aim of examining the relationship between the inhabitants of the Maya plains and those of the Olmec region and a cutting-edge methodological approach which saw the use of LIDAR technology integrated with archaeological excavation activities and Bayesian analysis of radiocarbon dates , Inomata and her multidisciplinary team have managed to identify a series of organized ceremonial complexes dating back to 1000-800 BC. Among these, previously unknown, the largest complex identified is the Aguada Fénix site, an artificial plateau (1400 x 400 m), which suggests a significant social change, thus questioning the initial development of the Maya civilization.

39 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u5NBUdlqHY

Origins of Maya Civilization Examined at Aguada Fénix, Mexico with Takeshi Inomata, PhD

4 Jun 2023

This talk will discuss recent findings from the site of Aguada Fénix, Mexico, which was discovered in 2018.

Its central platform, which measures 1400 x 400 m horizontally and 10-15 m in height and was built around 1000 BC, is the largest and oldest monumental building in the Maya area.

The results of investigations at this site are changing our understanding of how the Maya civilization and surrounding societies developed. // Takeshi Inomata, PhD, is a professor at the School of Anthropology, University of Arizona. // He has been investigating social changes in the Maya area through field projects at Aguateca and Ceibal in Guatemala and in the Middle Usumacinta region of Mexico.

1 hour 3 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy5I0mHlbfU

Takeshi Inomata - Origins of Maya Civilization Reconsidered - Ritual, Sedentism, and Olmec Connection

6 Jun 2016

Shallit Lecture given at BYU on March 8, 2016.

1 hour 23 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG-Hi57V2_o

Great Myths and Legends - Hero Twins of the Americas - Myths of Origin, Duality, and Vengeance

2 Mar 2016

Myths concerning the “hero twins” are widespread from Canada to South America. In the archetypal Maya myth, a pair of twin brothers battle with a range of monsters and death deities as they seek to make the world safe for humankind. Instead of defeating their enemies in trials of strength, they outwit them in games of skill, ingenuity, and magic, offering role models of how best to survive death and ultimately attain rebirth into the sky. A variety of myths throughout North America draw on these same themes but differ dramatically in the details, thereby demonstrating the incredible antiquity of the basic story and the relationships between the diverse cultures of the New World. // Dr. Megan Kassabaum, Weingarten Assistant Curator, American Section and Dr. Simon Martin, Associate Curator / Keeper, American Section. [Joint lecture: ~10 minutes Kassabaum, ~30 minutes Martin, ~20 minutes Kassabaum.]

1 hour 5 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRgHYSjDiZ8

Architecture and Hieroglyphics of Copan - Leia, Anahi, Giselle (2020)

13 Aug 2020

[This appears to be a school project presentation. The full names of the creators are given in the opening slide: Anahi Flores-Garcia, Leia Kawaii-Mooney, Giselle Arroyo Torres.]

15 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6it7F0ffrwQ

Maya at the Playa 2021 - Maxime Lamoureux-St-Hilaire - Breaking Tamal - Commensality Politics among the Ancient Maya

7 Oct 2021