Beautiful Jeanine! Their culture is so multifaceted in its wisdom, not only were they (but still are) astronomers, they are also agriculturists, shamans (as we Westerners understand it) or priests, medicine people, doctors - combining a syncretism of knowledge that hasn't been separated into different fields. All of this falls under their Cosmovision. And it's fascinating that they continue to hold ceremonies (in the Yucatec lineages) such as the 'Chaac Chaac' ceremony in which the community Ah'Men (priest, astronomer, sage, agriculturist), together with all the participants, bring down the rain to sprout their crops, all lined up with specific dates around the Venus cycles in association with the Dresden Codex (as you mentioned). I feel so blessed to have interviewed an Ah' Men recently who opened the doors to this ancient world that is still alive and kicking today!
Thanks for your comment, Diana. Much appreciated. I hoped my overview would explain to the layperson a little bit of this vast and incredibly magnificent civilization. (and not overwhelm anybody interested b/c there is So much to it). Oddly my post on November 29 (day after US Thanksgiving) is about the genius of the Maya agricultural and Milpa system--so we are on the same page!! And of course, that beautiful Sac-Be--and La Ceiba, the tree of life.
Also, for anyone interested, Jeanine's mention of the Saq' Be' is also known as the Path of Destiny or path of the Milky Way, in which we can participate and learn from as a science via the Mayan Sacred Calendar. I practice and share the K'iche version of it on my page, every day. Super grateful to Jeanine for constantly restacking my posts!
Fascinating information, Jeanine. There's an incredible amount of history to learn about the Mayans and yet, in many ways, we still have so much to learn about this ancient civilization. Well written and easy to follow. You've done an excellent job of putting the information together and making it flow. Thank you for your hard work and effort.
Thank you so much, Lois! I'm glad the information flowed smoothly as there's so much to impart. I wanted to give an overview without turning readers off, but also felt it was important to put as much as possible into the post. And also to let readers know I'll delve more deeply into some of the Maya's intricacies at a later date--like their calendars. Mil gracias! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Oh thank you so much, Damon! You know writing about the Maya is my passion. And I wanted to put it in an overview. Glad it came off okay! Mil gracias!!
Thank you for sharing your learning. I have only ever been to Tulum. It was beautiful, alas, I was there on a tour so no time to sit and absorb the energy.
Seeing the other sites is on my bucket list. I feel drawn to Chichen Itza, specifically Quetzalcoatl, whom I once had a vision of.
I look forward to diving into more of your work. 🐲
Thank you so much, Patricia! Tulum is beautiful -- sitting atop that turquoise sea! Yes, the feathered serpent is a powerful figure in the Maya world. I look forward to having you onboard, as there's plenty more where this came from ):
Glad to reconnect. I first enjoyed your writing and passion for Mexico when you kindly offered me a pre-pub read of your Wheel's Up. I became an instant fan and followed you as we spent 16 incredible years living both in Sonora and Guanajuato. The arrival of that first, special grandchild brought us back to Arizona last year, but much of my soul stayed behind.
What prompts this post was your wonderful description of Palenque. Susan and I visited there 8 times and both think its magic remains integral to who we are. So, a quick story.
AMLO, the former President of Mexico has a ranch just outside the town of Palenque which he visited frequently while in office and I understand has become his place for retirement. His experience there was a driving force behind his ambitious and fab Tren Maya.
During one of our visits we met a caretaker from his ranch at a taco stand in city center. We quickly spoke of our fascination with the Zona and out of the blue he asked if we might want a special, guided tour? You know our answer, so he told us to come to the INAH office on site the following afternoon at 5pm, as the park closed for visitation. Upon arriving a young, uniformed lady greeted us and then escorted us into the main entrance just as crowds of visitors were leaving, sorta like swimming upstream.
She then led us to the foot of the barriered staircase leading up the Temple of the Inscriptions and offered some background on its history, discovery and the treasures found inside. Almost second handily she asked if we wanted to go up and inside. The Temple had been closed to visitors for some 30 years so my amazement was palpable. She motioned us to the rear of the structure, avoiding the impressive but dangerous staircase, to a ladder arrangement used by staff for maintenance. In about 5 minutes we were on top within inches of the fabled 3 tablets that provide the name. We stood there in awe with a sweeping view across the whole of Palenque. A feeling only surpassed when she began opening a side door and threw a wall switch. Beyond magic was a downward string of naked bulbs lighting an incredibly tight and steeply angled set of well worn, moist steps. My God, she was taking us inside and down to Lord Pakal's fabled tomb.
First was about 200 steps downward then a sharp 180 turn to a further similar number. After a careful 15 minutes negotiating the staircase we arrived at the triangle portal that held his sarcophagus and the legendary cover.
I have pics of course but nothing can truly capture the sense of deep wonder and appreciation I felt at the skill and effort of his followers to so honor, in death,Pakal's life.
Needless to say for an enthusiastic student of all things Maya nothing could match that grand experience. Almost everyday some glimpse of his eternal home flashes across the mind's eye and my love for Mexico just explodes again, and again.
One guy's tale of the mystery and magic to be found all across the wonderland that is Mexico.
OMG, Jess! How incredible! What an experience! I am floored. This is one of those wonderful things that seem to occasionally happen in Mexico--where by chance you're embraced by a person who introduces you to an over the top life experience. Wow! I'm so happy to reconnect. So glad I wrote about Pakal and Palenque, which is still my favorite site. We'd been down the 'normal' stairs to Pakal's sarcophagus lid and I was pleased to have done that, now that it's closed off for tourists. This, This is beyond everything! What a remarkable experience and so glad you were offered it. Amazing. Did you guys ever stay at that great hotel with the 3 stepped pools that were divided by giant rock-boulders? With the cottages on the river? Chan Ka? Last I looked at it, it'd been 'discovered' and offered wedding packages etc. But often we'd be nearly the only people there. Also, thanks for being a Beta reader for me on Wheels Up. Book 3 is still in the offing. I had to change the topic--from arms and munitions trade (which was just too depressing) to antiquities looting--even though it's sad, too, everyone loves a little Indiana Jones archeological dig story. Saludos! And enjoy AZ and your grandchild!! And again, thanks for becoming a paid subscriber! Means the world to me.
Do scan the Galeria It is magnificent near beyond belief.
Another quick story for your readers ( i owe the owner a plug!)!
The owner is an Italian from a wealthy family we were told. At college age he fell in love with the idea of the Maya. A few years later on one of his several visits to Palenque Mexico he meets a lovely, local lady, marries. Learns to speak Maya and proceeds to design and build his incredible Quinta at a huge personal investment.
Not cheap by any means, but.......
You may visit the divine restaurant and tour the grounds. If he is on site you will in the flesh meet the guy from the beer commercials. You know him, "The Most Interesting Man Alive". Alive and well in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico.
Wow! That is quite a story! He's the 'most interesting (handsome) man alive'? I'm blown away! And I did check out the link. Wow, it's fabulous! So cool he can speak Mayan. It sounds like quite a place to visit next time I travel there. Love this story!
Jeanine, thanks for sharing the ancient world of the Maya with us. It’s utterly fascinating and mind-boggling to think of what they accomplished 3,000 years ago. I hope I’ll be able to see their world for myself one day. Meanwhile I’m savoring your excellent posts.
Thank you so much, Ruth! The ancient Maya are fascinating--they achieved so much, and were such a mystery for so long, which I think adds to their allure. Ancient Egypt had been explored and excavated since mid 1800s, and I believe the Caste War of Yucatán that began around 1843 held off many Maya pyramid explorers. I write more about Caste War in January.
Can't believe we only have 4 codices left! What a crime... And I also didn't know that Venus (not Mars!) guided their wars. How fascinating, as always Jeanine.
No, Venus was their main 'go to,' but they also followed Mars. I know--re codices. Disgusting, really. I'm just glad there are those. So much was gained from them.
Another informative and fascinating read, Jeanine. Learning about the Mayan culture and what they achieved brings to mind a visit years ago to Ireland and visiting Newgrange and a few other marvels.
A great read, Jeanine! I'm with you about Palenque, it is probably my favorite site! It took us so long to get there though because with kids it always seemed too far, too remote. However, a few years before they built the train, they finished a highway from Tulum (long, but easy road) that made it much easier access. We visited a few year ago, and couldn't get enough of it! Pacal's sarcophagus isn't there (I believe I read somewhere they took it to the Maya museum in Mexico City, though not sure that info is correct), however, there is a wonderful replica of it in the museum adjacent to the site. It was just wonderful!
Anyway, I always enjoy your posts about the Maya, always a great read!
Oh thank you, Emese! It was tough to get to, and when we were driving we'd always stop and spend the night; a little off the beaten track but well worth it. Great re the hwy from Tulum. I didn't know they'd moved the sarcophagus but probably a good thing. INAH security tends to be light. It was pretty wild they let people go down the stairs. In 2025 in my Women in Archeology series, I write about Merle Greene Robertson who did a rubbing of it. Her account is -- unreal. Thanks again for reading!!!!!
Fabulous Marco & Sabrina. A local told us a while back we could also go a day or so after as the sun's position doesn't change that much. Amazing, no? We never took him up on the idea b/c we'd been once and had seen it. But pretty clever. Getting to Palenque took perseverance a while ago. The drive can still be funky and occasionally the Zapatistas have a little road block. The papers will have photos when that happens.
Beautiful Jeanine! Their culture is so multifaceted in its wisdom, not only were they (but still are) astronomers, they are also agriculturists, shamans (as we Westerners understand it) or priests, medicine people, doctors - combining a syncretism of knowledge that hasn't been separated into different fields. All of this falls under their Cosmovision. And it's fascinating that they continue to hold ceremonies (in the Yucatec lineages) such as the 'Chaac Chaac' ceremony in which the community Ah'Men (priest, astronomer, sage, agriculturist), together with all the participants, bring down the rain to sprout their crops, all lined up with specific dates around the Venus cycles in association with the Dresden Codex (as you mentioned). I feel so blessed to have interviewed an Ah' Men recently who opened the doors to this ancient world that is still alive and kicking today!
Thanks for your comment, Diana. Much appreciated. I hoped my overview would explain to the layperson a little bit of this vast and incredibly magnificent civilization. (and not overwhelm anybody interested b/c there is So much to it). Oddly my post on November 29 (day after US Thanksgiving) is about the genius of the Maya agricultural and Milpa system--so we are on the same page!! And of course, that beautiful Sac-Be--and La Ceiba, the tree of life.
It's certainly a challenging task to articulate it into something digestible. Great job!
Also, for anyone interested, Jeanine's mention of the Saq' Be' is also known as the Path of Destiny or path of the Milky Way, in which we can participate and learn from as a science via the Mayan Sacred Calendar. I practice and share the K'iche version of it on my page, every day. Super grateful to Jeanine for constantly restacking my posts!
I keep learning new things about the Maya with your in-depth posts, Jeanine. I'd say you did your job of inspiring wonderfully.
Thank you Daniel! I’m glad you enjoyed reading about them.
Fascinating information, Jeanine. There's an incredible amount of history to learn about the Mayans and yet, in many ways, we still have so much to learn about this ancient civilization. Well written and easy to follow. You've done an excellent job of putting the information together and making it flow. Thank you for your hard work and effort.
Thank you so much, Lois! I'm glad the information flowed smoothly as there's so much to impart. I wanted to give an overview without turning readers off, but also felt it was important to put as much as possible into the post. And also to let readers know I'll delve more deeply into some of the Maya's intricacies at a later date--like their calendars. Mil gracias! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Fascinating, Jeanine! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Mikel!
Another great read, Jeanine! Thank you. I'm restacking this one and nobody can stop me.
Oh thank you so much, Damon! You know writing about the Maya is my passion. And I wanted to put it in an overview. Glad it came off okay! Mil gracias!!
Thank you for sharing your learning. I have only ever been to Tulum. It was beautiful, alas, I was there on a tour so no time to sit and absorb the energy.
Seeing the other sites is on my bucket list. I feel drawn to Chichen Itza, specifically Quetzalcoatl, whom I once had a vision of.
I look forward to diving into more of your work. 🐲
Thank you so much, Patricia! Tulum is beautiful -- sitting atop that turquoise sea! Yes, the feathered serpent is a powerful figure in the Maya world. I look forward to having you onboard, as there's plenty more where this came from ):
Thank you for the restack. Webber Chronicles!
Thanks for the restack, Phil & Maude!!
Thanks for the restack, Tinashe!!
Thanks for restack Daniel!
Hi there.
Glad to reconnect. I first enjoyed your writing and passion for Mexico when you kindly offered me a pre-pub read of your Wheel's Up. I became an instant fan and followed you as we spent 16 incredible years living both in Sonora and Guanajuato. The arrival of that first, special grandchild brought us back to Arizona last year, but much of my soul stayed behind.
What prompts this post was your wonderful description of Palenque. Susan and I visited there 8 times and both think its magic remains integral to who we are. So, a quick story.
AMLO, the former President of Mexico has a ranch just outside the town of Palenque which he visited frequently while in office and I understand has become his place for retirement. His experience there was a driving force behind his ambitious and fab Tren Maya.
During one of our visits we met a caretaker from his ranch at a taco stand in city center. We quickly spoke of our fascination with the Zona and out of the blue he asked if we might want a special, guided tour? You know our answer, so he told us to come to the INAH office on site the following afternoon at 5pm, as the park closed for visitation. Upon arriving a young, uniformed lady greeted us and then escorted us into the main entrance just as crowds of visitors were leaving, sorta like swimming upstream.
She then led us to the foot of the barriered staircase leading up the Temple of the Inscriptions and offered some background on its history, discovery and the treasures found inside. Almost second handily she asked if we wanted to go up and inside. The Temple had been closed to visitors for some 30 years so my amazement was palpable. She motioned us to the rear of the structure, avoiding the impressive but dangerous staircase, to a ladder arrangement used by staff for maintenance. In about 5 minutes we were on top within inches of the fabled 3 tablets that provide the name. We stood there in awe with a sweeping view across the whole of Palenque. A feeling only surpassed when she began opening a side door and threw a wall switch. Beyond magic was a downward string of naked bulbs lighting an incredibly tight and steeply angled set of well worn, moist steps. My God, she was taking us inside and down to Lord Pakal's fabled tomb.
First was about 200 steps downward then a sharp 180 turn to a further similar number. After a careful 15 minutes negotiating the staircase we arrived at the triangle portal that held his sarcophagus and the legendary cover.
I have pics of course but nothing can truly capture the sense of deep wonder and appreciation I felt at the skill and effort of his followers to so honor, in death,Pakal's life.
Needless to say for an enthusiastic student of all things Maya nothing could match that grand experience. Almost everyday some glimpse of his eternal home flashes across the mind's eye and my love for Mexico just explodes again, and again.
One guy's tale of the mystery and magic to be found all across the wonderland that is Mexico.
Keep sharing the story!! You do it so well.
What an amazing experience!
OMG, Jess! How incredible! What an experience! I am floored. This is one of those wonderful things that seem to occasionally happen in Mexico--where by chance you're embraced by a person who introduces you to an over the top life experience. Wow! I'm so happy to reconnect. So glad I wrote about Pakal and Palenque, which is still my favorite site. We'd been down the 'normal' stairs to Pakal's sarcophagus lid and I was pleased to have done that, now that it's closed off for tourists. This, This is beyond everything! What a remarkable experience and so glad you were offered it. Amazing. Did you guys ever stay at that great hotel with the 3 stepped pools that were divided by giant rock-boulders? With the cottages on the river? Chan Ka? Last I looked at it, it'd been 'discovered' and offered wedding packages etc. But often we'd be nearly the only people there. Also, thanks for being a Beta reader for me on Wheels Up. Book 3 is still in the offing. I had to change the topic--from arms and munitions trade (which was just too depressing) to antiquities looting--even though it's sad, too, everyone loves a little Indiana Jones archeological dig story. Saludos! And enjoy AZ and your grandchild!! And again, thanks for becoming a paid subscriber! Means the world to me.
Are not us that fell in love with Mexico just the most fortunate?
Our Palenque place of choice is found at
https://www.quintachanabnal.com/.
Do scan the Galeria It is magnificent near beyond belief.
Another quick story for your readers ( i owe the owner a plug!)!
The owner is an Italian from a wealthy family we were told. At college age he fell in love with the idea of the Maya. A few years later on one of his several visits to Palenque Mexico he meets a lovely, local lady, marries. Learns to speak Maya and proceeds to design and build his incredible Quinta at a huge personal investment.
Not cheap by any means, but.......
You may visit the divine restaurant and tour the grounds. If he is on site you will in the flesh meet the guy from the beer commercials. You know him, "The Most Interesting Man Alive". Alive and well in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico.
Wow! That is quite a story! He's the 'most interesting (handsome) man alive'? I'm blown away! And I did check out the link. Wow, it's fabulous! So cool he can speak Mayan. It sounds like quite a place to visit next time I travel there. Love this story!
Jeanine, thanks for sharing the ancient world of the Maya with us. It’s utterly fascinating and mind-boggling to think of what they accomplished 3,000 years ago. I hope I’ll be able to see their world for myself one day. Meanwhile I’m savoring your excellent posts.
Thank you so much, Ruth! The ancient Maya are fascinating--they achieved so much, and were such a mystery for so long, which I think adds to their allure. Ancient Egypt had been explored and excavated since mid 1800s, and I believe the Caste War of Yucatán that began around 1843 held off many Maya pyramid explorers. I write more about Caste War in January.
I still have so much catching up to do, but it’s a great pleasure. The subject and your writing are a treat.
Thanks very much, Ruth. Great to hear!
Can't believe we only have 4 codices left! What a crime... And I also didn't know that Venus (not Mars!) guided their wars. How fascinating, as always Jeanine.
No, Venus was their main 'go to,' but they also followed Mars. I know--re codices. Disgusting, really. I'm just glad there are those. So much was gained from them.
Another informative and fascinating read, Jeanine. Learning about the Mayan culture and what they achieved brings to mind a visit years ago to Ireland and visiting Newgrange and a few other marvels.
A great read, Jeanine! I'm with you about Palenque, it is probably my favorite site! It took us so long to get there though because with kids it always seemed too far, too remote. However, a few years before they built the train, they finished a highway from Tulum (long, but easy road) that made it much easier access. We visited a few year ago, and couldn't get enough of it! Pacal's sarcophagus isn't there (I believe I read somewhere they took it to the Maya museum in Mexico City, though not sure that info is correct), however, there is a wonderful replica of it in the museum adjacent to the site. It was just wonderful!
Anyway, I always enjoy your posts about the Maya, always a great read!
Oh thank you, Emese! It was tough to get to, and when we were driving we'd always stop and spend the night; a little off the beaten track but well worth it. Great re the hwy from Tulum. I didn't know they'd moved the sarcophagus but probably a good thing. INAH security tends to be light. It was pretty wild they let people go down the stairs. In 2025 in my Women in Archeology series, I write about Merle Greene Robertson who did a rubbing of it. Her account is -- unreal. Thanks again for reading!!!!!
Ah Palenque! The one that got away when we visited. We did however see the incredible Equinox show at Ku'Kulkan
Fabulous Marco & Sabrina. A local told us a while back we could also go a day or so after as the sun's position doesn't change that much. Amazing, no? We never took him up on the idea b/c we'd been once and had seen it. But pretty clever. Getting to Palenque took perseverance a while ago. The drive can still be funky and occasionally the Zapatistas have a little road block. The papers will have photos when that happens.
The joys of driving in Mexico!
Oh so true!! haha. So glad you've spent so much time in Yucatan et al.