Truly engrossing, Jeanine. The destruction of the records, the paperbark books is sickening. As with the destruction of any historical records or works of art it is unfathomable and unforgivable. So the accuracy of their calendars is absolutely amazing proving there is nothing new "under the sun" literally. The devotion of these ancient civilizations to recording time should make everyone of us reframe our own appreciation of time and history and the importance of recording it for posterity.
Thank you for opening these doors of information and for opening windows into my mind for contemplation.
A truly fascinating read. As I'm making plans to head back to Mexico in 2025, I want to learn more about the Maya and you give me just that. And no, I didn't know before reading this piece, why the West "discovered" the Maya culture so late.
It's worth considering that the majority of the Mayan heartland is NOT within modern day Mexico; southern Mexico merely contains the northern tip of it, while modern MX is also home to countless other peoples and cultures that had significant exchange, flow, wars, between their different kingdoms, essentially, much like ancient Europe or Asia--though I haven't been there, my understanding is the overall territory and number of Mayan sites is actually much higher as a % of total area in Guatemala, Belize, etc.
“Slippage occurred but this didn’t bother the Maya. They didn’t try to play catch us as the modern world does with Leap Year. They just let time roll along.” I love this bit, Jeanine. It captures the feeling of this installation so well.
And I am so enjoying learning about the Maya with you. Thank you! 💕
I love your narratives. I'm hoping for one last trip to the area, to see Tulum and El Balam. But my disability in walking is getting in the way. I discovered a company , tho, that caters to providing the disabled accessibility, so, maybe my dreams can be realized.
Oh I hope so Susan! Re disabilities, our contractor for our house, Casa Maya, has lovely facilities/compound plus he is super gracious and I believe reasonably priced(another friend similar situation checked last year). Also if you do need another lead for a tour company, Pedro Poot is fantastic and I’m positive could fix you up with anything you need. And btw thank you for your kind comments!!!!
This took me straight back to middle school when we’d study Mayan culture in class and chat about Indiana Jones during recess! The Mayans were so captivating—millions wandering through the jungle, blood rituals, human sacrifices… it was mind-blowing for a 13-year-old. Thirty-three years later, that fascination hasn’t faded one bit. Awesome piece, Jeanine!
Another compelling read, Jeanine! Thank you for your in depth research, synthesizing the information and performing your magic with it. I'm learning so much. I appreciate the Mayan perspective on time. We're so obsessed with time in modernity, especially in the US.
Love this insight, Jeanine! I'm going to put a link to this in my archaeology post <3 I'm also hoping to catch up on your posts that I've missed very soon!
Funny story about The Zealot <as he should remain to be called and not his actual name>:
During my Intro to Archaeology class, my instructor told us a story of when she was taking a class on the Maya and her instructor instructed everyone to say, "Boooooo!" and shake their fists with a thumbs down whenever said Zealot's name came up. My instructor made a mistake in allowing us to also partake in this, and she ended up having to ask us to stop, although one of the students continued to do it for the remainder of the class. She did finish the lecture, though, and we learned a lot about the Maya!
Thank you for this piece that shares and reveals the incredible history of the Maya, presented in such a way that beautifully flows and weaves it all together with intrigue. The Maya and their beautiful cities have fascinated me for years. I've learned so much from you and appreciated having read (thanks to you), the book referenced, Never in Fear (Merle Green Robertson). Looking forward to more Maya insights!
Oh thank you Barbra. And thanks for the use of the fabulous Uxmal photo. Glad it comes together well. There’s just so much to tell, but I think it’s interesting how circumstance truly did prevent info on them getting out.
Yes, for sure. The tragic burning of the codices and artifacts, along with the Caste War and so many other circumstances that you wrote about really did keep the Maya so very mysterious!
Truly engrossing, Jeanine. The destruction of the records, the paperbark books is sickening. As with the destruction of any historical records or works of art it is unfathomable and unforgivable. So the accuracy of their calendars is absolutely amazing proving there is nothing new "under the sun" literally. The devotion of these ancient civilizations to recording time should make everyone of us reframe our own appreciation of time and history and the importance of recording it for posterity.
Thank you for opening these doors of information and for opening windows into my mind for contemplation.
Thanks for making this information so accessible and enjoyable to read, Jeanine. I love learning new things about the Mayan culture!
Oh thank you, Mike!! Glad it’s understandable. A lot of history to dive into and happy readers are following along.
A truly fascinating read. As I'm making plans to head back to Mexico in 2025, I want to learn more about the Maya and you give me just that. And no, I didn't know before reading this piece, why the West "discovered" the Maya culture so late.
So glad it resonated with you,Claire! I’ll be posting more Maya articles ( my passion). Thanks for your comment!
It's worth considering that the majority of the Mayan heartland is NOT within modern day Mexico; southern Mexico merely contains the northern tip of it, while modern MX is also home to countless other peoples and cultures that had significant exchange, flow, wars, between their different kingdoms, essentially, much like ancient Europe or Asia--though I haven't been there, my understanding is the overall territory and number of Mayan sites is actually much higher as a % of total area in Guatemala, Belize, etc.
“Slippage occurred but this didn’t bother the Maya. They didn’t try to play catch us as the modern world does with Leap Year. They just let time roll along.” I love this bit, Jeanine. It captures the feeling of this installation so well.
And I am so enjoying learning about the Maya with you. Thank you! 💕
It amazes me too, Holly, that cultures can and do view so many things so differently. Glad you’re enjoying this deep dive into the Maya!
I love your narratives. I'm hoping for one last trip to the area, to see Tulum and El Balam. But my disability in walking is getting in the way. I discovered a company , tho, that caters to providing the disabled accessibility, so, maybe my dreams can be realized.
Thanks for restack Susan!
Oh I hope so Susan! Re disabilities, our contractor for our house, Casa Maya, has lovely facilities/compound plus he is super gracious and I believe reasonably priced(another friend similar situation checked last year). Also if you do need another lead for a tour company, Pedro Poot is fantastic and I’m positive could fix you up with anything you need. And btw thank you for your kind comments!!!!
Wonderful, Jeanine.
I will never forget standing on the top of the Temple of the Magician in Uxmal at all the unexcavatef mounds peeking out of the jungle canopy
Thank you, Jeanine! There is so much to learn.
This took me straight back to middle school when we’d study Mayan culture in class and chat about Indiana Jones during recess! The Mayans were so captivating—millions wandering through the jungle, blood rituals, human sacrifices… it was mind-blowing for a 13-year-old. Thirty-three years later, that fascination hasn’t faded one bit. Awesome piece, Jeanine!
Thank you so much, Sandra!! I love researching them and Mexico.
Another compelling read, Jeanine! Thank you for your in depth research, synthesizing the information and performing your magic with it. I'm learning so much. I appreciate the Mayan perspective on time. We're so obsessed with time in modernity, especially in the US.
Thanks so much Paulette! Another Maya article on drought coming this Friday.
I’ll watch for it!
Thank you!!
Love this insight, Jeanine! I'm going to put a link to this in my archaeology post <3 I'm also hoping to catch up on your posts that I've missed very soon!
Funny story about The Zealot <as he should remain to be called and not his actual name>:
During my Intro to Archaeology class, my instructor told us a story of when she was taking a class on the Maya and her instructor instructed everyone to say, "Boooooo!" and shake their fists with a thumbs down whenever said Zealot's name came up. My instructor made a mistake in allowing us to also partake in this, and she ended up having to ask us to stop, although one of the students continued to do it for the remainder of the class. She did finish the lecture, though, and we learned a lot about the Maya!
Thanks Kimber! Now I’m on a Maya roll. This Friday a chapter from my memoir, next week —Maya!! Cool story from you too.
Yay! I’m excited to read them all! :D
very interesting, thank you i had read it with one breath
Thank you so much!!!!!
I've always loved anything about this ancient civilization. Thank you for these wonderful insights.
My pleasure Victoria! I’ll be interspersing Maya posts frequently so please stay tuned!! Thanks for reading.
Thank you for this piece that shares and reveals the incredible history of the Maya, presented in such a way that beautifully flows and weaves it all together with intrigue. The Maya and their beautiful cities have fascinated me for years. I've learned so much from you and appreciated having read (thanks to you), the book referenced, Never in Fear (Merle Green Robertson). Looking forward to more Maya insights!
Oh thank you Barbra. And thanks for the use of the fabulous Uxmal photo. Glad it comes together well. There’s just so much to tell, but I think it’s interesting how circumstance truly did prevent info on them getting out.
Yes, for sure. The tragic burning of the codices and artifacts, along with the Caste War and so many other circumstances that you wrote about really did keep the Maya so very mysterious!
I love that part, the mystery!
So happy seeing my photo in such an awesome article!
Oh thank you Barbra. You take the most stunning photos! And you always capture just the right light.
Great article Jeanine! Looking forward to more!
Thanks David! I enjoy the research.
Great information, Jeanine!
Very welcome Priya! Thanks for reading!