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Posted on 08/13/2016 6:43:09 PM PDT by MtnClimber
The ambitious Snake kings used force and diplomacy to create the most powerful alliance in their culture’s history.
The ancient city of Holmul isn’t much to look at. To the casual observer it’s just a series of steep, forested hills in the middle of the jungle in northern Guatemala, near the Mexican border. The jungle here in the Petén Basin is thick and warm but drier than you might expect. And silent, except for the drum of cicadas and the occasional calls of howler monkeys.
Take a closer look, and you may notice that most of these hills are arranged in massive rings, like travelers huddled around a fire on a cold night. An even closer look reveals that parts of the hills are made of cut stone, and some have tunnels carved into their sides. In fact they’re not hills at all but ancient pyramids, left to decay after the collapse of the Maya civilization a millennium ago.
The site was a thriving settlement during the Classic Maya period (A.D. 250-900), a time when writing and culture flourished throughout what is today Central America and southern Mexico. But it also was a time of political upheaval: Two warring city-states were locked in perennial conflict, grappling for supremacy. For a brief period one of those city-states prevailed and became the closest thing to an empire in Maya history. It was ruled by the Snake kings of the Kaanul dynasty, which until just a few decades ago no one even knew existed. Thanks to sites around this city-state, including Holmul, archaeologists are now piecing together the story of the Snake kings.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalgeographic.com ...
I wonder if the markings were not for a fer de lance or a jumping pitviper marking. They are vicious and present in central america, but I am not aware of diamond back rattlesnake territory ranging to there or even much into Mexico.
The Mayan were driven into exile by the makers of Miracle Whip.
You think there’s a connection? :)
That reminds me, I have to go to the basement for feeding time.
uh huh. I bet beckbug would tell you that if you don’t wear magic underwear you are an occultist.
When I was there, the guide said that the winning “captain” of the ball play team’s honor was to allow himself to be sacrificed...The losing “captain” had to be the one who cut his head off...
Carved in one of those walls under the stone ring is a a man on his knees and his head lying on the ground...Instead of blood spurting from his neck, there is corn, wheat, fish, and birds coming out...
Suddenly, it’s all clear to me.
It all makes sense.
Miracle Whip was the missing piece.
The Salad Dressing Empires.
lol. Poor Beck! Get him a room!!!
You are probably right...I just figured with the markings it was a diamondback...
YES! It WAS King Horseradish Mustard in the ball court with the axe!
I don’t know how to post pictures...Can you post a picture of the Choc Mool????
Has anyone heard from SunkenCiv lately?
Bushmaster?
Could’ve been that snake also...I don’t know...
I’m thinking that perhaps they died out because they had trouble understanding the concepts of “reward” and “punishment”.
“Lebron had a triple-double tonight!”
“Good! Let’s cut his head off!”
“Uh, coach....the guys on the team are all asking to ride the bench now.”
LOL...I know what you’re saying...
My memory might be lapsing, but I think that is what the guide told us...
I think I’d be throwing the game, myself....
OK...Thanks....
Thanks for sharing. Fascinating.
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