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In Search of the Lost Empire of the Maya
National Geographic ^ | Erik Vance Photographs by David Coventry

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 ...


TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: guatemala; maya; mayans
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To: JBW1949

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.


21 posted on 08/13/2016 7:27:55 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: blueunicorn6

The Mayan were driven into exile by the makers of Miracle Whip.


22 posted on 08/13/2016 7:28:02 PM PDT by disndat
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To: JBW1949

You think there’s a connection? :)

That reminds me, I have to go to the basement for feeding time.


23 posted on 08/13/2016 7:29:33 PM PDT by dp0622 (The only thing an upper crust conservative hates more than a liberal is a middle class conservative)
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To: dp0622

uh huh. I bet beckbug would tell you that if you don’t wear magic underwear you are an occultist.


24 posted on 08/13/2016 7:31:05 PM PDT by disndat
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To: combat_boots

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...


25 posted on 08/13/2016 7:33:33 PM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC....PATRIOTICALLY CORRECT!!!!)
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To: disndat

Suddenly, it’s all clear to me.

It all makes sense.

Miracle Whip was the missing piece.

The Salad Dressing Empires.


26 posted on 08/13/2016 7:35:04 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: disndat

lol. Poor Beck! Get him a room!!!


27 posted on 08/13/2016 7:35:10 PM PDT by dp0622 (The only thing an upper crust conservative hates more than a liberal is a middle class conservative)
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To: MtnClimber

You are probably right...I just figured with the markings it was a diamondback...


28 posted on 08/13/2016 7:35:27 PM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC....PATRIOTICALLY CORRECT!!!!)
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To: blueunicorn6

YES! It WAS King Horseradish Mustard in the ball court with the axe!


29 posted on 08/13/2016 7:37:13 PM PDT by disndat
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To: combat_boots

I don’t know how to post pictures...Can you post a picture of the Choc Mool????


30 posted on 08/13/2016 7:41:20 PM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC....PATRIOTICALLY CORRECT!!!!)
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To: All

Has anyone heard from SunkenCiv lately?


31 posted on 08/13/2016 7:41:49 PM PDT by Inyo-Mono
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To: JBW1949

Bushmaster?


32 posted on 08/13/2016 7:42:31 PM PDT by Flag_This (You can't spell "treason" without the "O".)
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To: Flag_This

Could’ve been that snake also...I don’t know...


33 posted on 08/13/2016 7:45:01 PM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC....PATRIOTICALLY CORRECT!!!!)
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To: MtnClimber
The Mayans were a bunch of sadistic killers. Sort of like Democrats today.


34 posted on 08/13/2016 7:45:44 PM PDT by garjog (Obama: bringing joy to the hearts of Terrorists everywhere.)
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To: JBW1949

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.”


35 posted on 08/13/2016 7:45:46 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: JBW1949
Let's teach you how to post pix....see the HTML sandbox.
36 posted on 08/13/2016 7:47:33 PM PDT by combat_boots (MSM: We lie to you sheep at the slaughterhouse to keep you calm during slaughter)
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To: blueunicorn6

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....


37 posted on 08/13/2016 7:47:34 PM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC....PATRIOTICALLY CORRECT!!!!)
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To: combat_boots

OK...Thanks....


38 posted on 08/13/2016 7:48:07 PM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC....PATRIOTICALLY CORRECT!!!!)
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To: MtnClimber

Thanks for sharing. Fascinating.


39 posted on 08/13/2016 7:48:16 PM PDT by AZLiberty (A is no longer A, but a pull-down menu.)
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To: JBW1949; MtnClimber
Looks like it is the diamondback.

Feathered Serpent

40 posted on 08/13/2016 7:49:02 PM PDT by disndat
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