"One can only wonder if Maya hieroglyphs had been deciphered as early as those of the Egyptians, would Lady K’abel, too, have been hailed as one of the world’s most powerful women?"
An intriguing question. Has anyone written an alternative history novel about the role of Mayan culture in our times had the Spanish NOT destroyed what they found?
Thanks for putting the spotlight on these women warriors!
Claire, this was my favorite paragraph of the entire post. The 'what-if' factor. So odd about history and how things come out. I did a post a few years ago on Abelard and Heloise for a Valentine's story. I'd been mesmerized by them ever since seeing their tomb in Pere Lachaise. Doing the research I happened onto Marion Meade's thorough "Stealing Heaven-The Love Story of..." and she discloses that Shakespeare had actually considered writing about them and their star crossed love. But he came upon the Montagues and Capulets and voila, Romeo & Juliet was born instead. Sometimes "That simple twist of fate," as Dylan sang so well is just what happens. Another reader also asked about an alternative history where the Maya were not destroyed. I don't think it's yet been written. Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
Thanks for another fascinating instalment. The whole concept of Warrior Queens is very intriguing and nice to know that Warrior Queen Kabel (sp?) ruled the region with her husband. Co-operation and unity may have been a clue to their success. Thanks again.
You’re very welcome! I’m so glad this was discovered. With only 50 years since the breakthrough on the Maya code, I’m sure that much more of interest will follow.
I can't express how much I enjoy reading these. I'm glad they're now the stuff of conversation AND legend in archeological circles! The soul jar... Woah!
So I have a question, as you present such an unbiased write-up of the happenings. What's your take on WHY these women warriers like K'abel were buried by historians? Was it ignorance, bias, deliberate fact-burying...?
Thanks so much Nadine. I enjoy writing about these powerful women, and I love that they were respected and given their due, even in death, with royal tombs. My personal opinion is that the 2 sites these queens were discovered at are very minor sites—one in Guatemala; which gets even less attention/funding than MX. They were not found at a well-excavated spot like Chichen Itza or Tulum. Also, and this is probably the most important--the Maya code was not broken until 1976. Less than 50 yrs ago. And there are hundreds and hundreds more pyramid sites, scientists say, that have not yet been discovered, much less excavated. Even places like famous Tikal, only a small portion of that grand site is excavated. And the same for Uxmal etc. INAH (MX agency that handles antiquities) basically has like zero funding, truly. It's why looting is still common, believe it or not. I even wrote about it a few months back. But too, archeology in general is not a very populated field, so you have a handful (basically overall) of scholar-archeologists who have a multitude of pyramids to excavate (and that goes slowly, too) and dismantle and then transcribe etc. So, these minor sites w/ women warriors were only looked at since 2004 (one of them). And then too, often it's tough for archeologists to get THEIR funding from a university, or large donor. I don't think it was intentional bias against women--first off, it was a real coup that someone figured out the women dressed differently than the men! And it was David Freidel (he is really a great archeologist) who started to shine light on rituals, etc at these sites (far out stuff) and Reese. It's actually a very young 'science' here in Yucatan-Mx-Guatemala whereas in Egypt, they've been dissecting the ruins for over 150 years. So i don't think they were buried, just too much work to be done, and very few queens, women in the mix, so discovering them was like finding a needle in a haystack. Even today, when you think of it, few powerful women in the entire world overall--i mean, US has not yet had a woman president! (hopefully coming !!!!) So the Maya, in that respect, were not so different. In olden times, women had to tend to the hearth.
I did know that about INAH, undoubtedly because you told us! And that makes sense, that the sites were simply undiscovered, largely, and the digs underfunded.
I'm glad we're uncovering it now, so these warriors can be given the place their deserve in history!
Sorry for being here a little late, Jeanine. Part 2 did not disappoint. Thank you for featuring such incredible warrior women from centuries long past. Love it!
Jeanine, As usual, I am so impressed by the magnitude of research and depth of information you have included in your posting. Your Substack is always fascinating to read and such an excellent lesson in history. Keep up the great work!
Lois, thank you So much for this lovely note! I'm so glad you're enjoying my deep dive into Maya queen warriors. I'm going to take a short break from warrior queens and go into a bit less academic stuff for next couple weeks, but fear not ): I have yet another one or two Maya warrior queen posts to come. Again, THANK YOU for reading and commenting!!
Incredible information! So enjoy your reporting, insights and explanations. Loved reading about the White Soul Flower Jar and the achievements of Queen K'abel! Thank goodness this history has been pieced together and now retold by you in a succinct story format. I noticed another comment here mentioning how the Maya Queen story series is so relevant right now in Mexico with the recent election of Mexico's Madame Presidente!
"One can only wonder if Maya hieroglyphs had been deciphered as early as those of the Egyptians, would Lady K’abel, too, have been hailed as one of the world’s most powerful women?"
An intriguing question. Has anyone written an alternative history novel about the role of Mayan culture in our times had the Spanish NOT destroyed what they found?
Thanks for putting the spotlight on these women warriors!
Claire, this was my favorite paragraph of the entire post. The 'what-if' factor. So odd about history and how things come out. I did a post a few years ago on Abelard and Heloise for a Valentine's story. I'd been mesmerized by them ever since seeing their tomb in Pere Lachaise. Doing the research I happened onto Marion Meade's thorough "Stealing Heaven-The Love Story of..." and she discloses that Shakespeare had actually considered writing about them and their star crossed love. But he came upon the Montagues and Capulets and voila, Romeo & Juliet was born instead. Sometimes "That simple twist of fate," as Dylan sang so well is just what happens. Another reader also asked about an alternative history where the Maya were not destroyed. I don't think it's yet been written. Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
This is a fascinating story and very well told! Thank you
Thanks Phil and Maude! And thanks for commenting.
Thanks for another fascinating instalment. The whole concept of Warrior Queens is very intriguing and nice to know that Warrior Queen Kabel (sp?) ruled the region with her husband. Co-operation and unity may have been a clue to their success. Thanks again.
You’re very welcome! I’m so glad this was discovered. With only 50 years since the breakthrough on the Maya code, I’m sure that much more of interest will follow.
Ooh, I’ve been waiting for the right time to read this one. So awesome, Jeanine. Thank you for this. I love it.
You’re the best, Damon! Hope you enjoy!!
Gads, I'm so ignorant of all this! And intrigued that your Mayan queens were doing their thing at the same time as my characters half a world away.
I can't express how much I enjoy reading these. I'm glad they're now the stuff of conversation AND legend in archeological circles! The soul jar... Woah!
So I have a question, as you present such an unbiased write-up of the happenings. What's your take on WHY these women warriers like K'abel were buried by historians? Was it ignorance, bias, deliberate fact-burying...?
Thanks so much Nadine. I enjoy writing about these powerful women, and I love that they were respected and given their due, even in death, with royal tombs. My personal opinion is that the 2 sites these queens were discovered at are very minor sites—one in Guatemala; which gets even less attention/funding than MX. They were not found at a well-excavated spot like Chichen Itza or Tulum. Also, and this is probably the most important--the Maya code was not broken until 1976. Less than 50 yrs ago. And there are hundreds and hundreds more pyramid sites, scientists say, that have not yet been discovered, much less excavated. Even places like famous Tikal, only a small portion of that grand site is excavated. And the same for Uxmal etc. INAH (MX agency that handles antiquities) basically has like zero funding, truly. It's why looting is still common, believe it or not. I even wrote about it a few months back. But too, archeology in general is not a very populated field, so you have a handful (basically overall) of scholar-archeologists who have a multitude of pyramids to excavate (and that goes slowly, too) and dismantle and then transcribe etc. So, these minor sites w/ women warriors were only looked at since 2004 (one of them). And then too, often it's tough for archeologists to get THEIR funding from a university, or large donor. I don't think it was intentional bias against women--first off, it was a real coup that someone figured out the women dressed differently than the men! And it was David Freidel (he is really a great archeologist) who started to shine light on rituals, etc at these sites (far out stuff) and Reese. It's actually a very young 'science' here in Yucatan-Mx-Guatemala whereas in Egypt, they've been dissecting the ruins for over 150 years. So i don't think they were buried, just too much work to be done, and very few queens, women in the mix, so discovering them was like finding a needle in a haystack. Even today, when you think of it, few powerful women in the entire world overall--i mean, US has not yet had a woman president! (hopefully coming !!!!) So the Maya, in that respect, were not so different. In olden times, women had to tend to the hearth.
I did know that about INAH, undoubtedly because you told us! And that makes sense, that the sites were simply undiscovered, largely, and the digs underfunded.
I'm glad we're uncovering it now, so these warriors can be given the place their deserve in history!
Yes! Finally they get their place!
Sorry for being here a little late, Jeanine. Part 2 did not disappoint. Thank you for featuring such incredible warrior women from centuries long past. Love it!
Oh thank you for reading, Paulette! Much appreciated, and it's my pleasure. Hope your travels went well.
Yes, thank you. And always great to be home.
Yasss! Thank you for highlighting another powerful woman.
Gah, what a shame to think of the history that’s been destroyed in the name of conquering!
So true. Especially with the Central American, Mexican and South American nations have suffered and died.
Jeanine, As usual, I am so impressed by the magnitude of research and depth of information you have included in your posting. Your Substack is always fascinating to read and such an excellent lesson in history. Keep up the great work!
Lois, thank you So much for this lovely note! I'm so glad you're enjoying my deep dive into Maya queen warriors. I'm going to take a short break from warrior queens and go into a bit less academic stuff for next couple weeks, but fear not ): I have yet another one or two Maya warrior queen posts to come. Again, THANK YOU for reading and commenting!!
Incredible information! So enjoy your reporting, insights and explanations. Loved reading about the White Soul Flower Jar and the achievements of Queen K'abel! Thank goodness this history has been pieced together and now retold by you in a succinct story format. I noticed another comment here mentioning how the Maya Queen story series is so relevant right now in Mexico with the recent election of Mexico's Madame Presidente!
Another good one, Jeanine! Entertaining and informative. And so apropos of what is happening in this very moment in Mexico! Well done!
Thanks Mike! You are so right--it's commensurate with the times--and boy, are the times wild right now or what?
Very interesting history, Jeanine. Thanks for posting!
Thanks for reading and commenting Mikel!