Oldest Maya Mural Uncovered in Guatemala

AP on Yahoo ^ | 12/13/05 | Randolph E. Schmid - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - Archaeologist William Saturno said Tuesday he was awe-struck when he uncovered a Maya mural not seen for nearly two millennia. Discovered at the San Bartolo site in Guatemala, the mural covers the west wall of a room attached to a pyramid, Saturno said at a briefing.

In brilliant color, the mural tells the Maya story of creation, he said. It was painted about 100 B.C., but later covered when the room was filled in.

"It could have been painted yesterday," Saturno said in a briefing organized by the National Geographic Society, which supported his work and will detail the finding in the January issue of its magazine.

Saturno, of the University of New Hampshire, first reported discovery of the site in 2002 when he stopped to rest in the jungle, taking shelter in an old trench that turned out to be part of the ancient room.

Since then the west and north walls have been uncovered. The room's other walls had been demolished and used for fill, he said. The west wall was the centerpiece of the room, Saturno said.

The mural includes four deities, which are variations of the same figure, the son of the corn god.

As Saturno explained it: The first deity stands in the water and offers a fish, establishing the watery underworld. The second stands on the ground and sacrifices a deer, establishing the land. The third floats in the air, offering a turkey, establishing the sky. The fourth stands in a field of flowers, the food of gods, establishing paradise.

Another section shows the corn god crowning himself king upon a wooden scaffold, and the final section shows a historic coronation of a Maya king.

Some of the writing can be understood, Saturno said, but much of it is so old it is hard to decipher.

Nearby, archaeologists led by Guatemalan Monica Pellecer Alecio found the oldest known Maya royal burial, from around 150 B.C. Excavating beneath a small pyramid, that team found a burial complex that included ceramic vessels and the bones of a man, with a jade plaque — the symbol of Maya royalty — on his chest.

___

On the Net:

National Geographic: http://www.nationalgeographic.com

[NormsRevenge]

A photo released by the National Geographic Society shows a detail from a Maya mural found at San Bartolo in Guatemala. The mural depicts the birth of the cosmos and the divine right of a king and this portion shows the son of the maize god, patron of kings, with a pair of birds tied to his woven hunting basket, letting blood and offering a sacrificed turkey before one of five cosmic trees. Archaeologist William Saturno said Tuesday,Dec. 13, 2005, said in a briefing organized by the National Geographic Society, which supported his work and will detail the finding in the January issue of its magazine, that he was awe-struck when he uncovered the 30-foot-long Maya mural, which had not been seen for nearly two millennia. (AP Photo/National Geographic Magazine, Kenneth Garrett)

[NormsRevenge]

fyi

[NormsRevenge]

This illustration provided by National Geographic Magazine shows a cut-out view of the vegetation-covered pyramid complex at San Bartolo in Guatemala with the mural room located at the base (bottom center) of pyramid. The rooms recently excavated west wall, adorned with the earliest preserved Maya mural, abuts the edge of the pyramid. Archaeologists believe the vividly painted room, dating from around 100 B.C. and chronicling the mythology of kings and the birth of the Maya cosmos, could have been a preparation area for ceremonies that took place on the courtyard in front of the pyramid. (AP Photo/National Geographic Magazine, Vlad Dumitrascu )

[Red Badger]

That looks like a theater poster for Moulin Rouge......

[Alter Kaker]

In brilliant color, the mural tells the Maya story of creation, he said.

And they're teaching it in Kansas science classes.

[Red Badger]

[Logophile]

In brilliant color, the mural tells the Maya story of creation, he said. It was painted about 100 B.C., but later covered when the room was filled in.

If the mural lay in contact with soil for the past 2000 years, we are lucky that anything remains. I would guess that no rain or groundwater penetrated the room during that time.

[edcoil]

Correct me if I am wrong but the Maya were devil worshipers in a society that killed their own children in sacrifice to their evil gods. Correct?

[ladtx]

The mural depicts the birth of the cosmos and the divine right of a king and this portion shows the son of the maize god, patron of kings, with a pair of birds tied to his woven hunting basket, letting blood and offering a sacrificed turkey before one of five cosmic trees.

I'm guessing the painting came with footnotes.

[Alter Kaker]

Correct me if I am wrong but the Maya were devil worshipers in a society that killed their own children in sacrifice to their evil gods.

You're wrong.

[Westlander]

They only killed on 'holy days'.

[SteveMcKing]

You're into musicals?

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks NormsRevenge.

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[Stand Watch Listen]

[LongElegantLegs]

Are you thinking of the Aztecs?
According to Wiki, Maya had other, non-lethal sorts of religious fun:

Maya rulers figured prominently in many religious rituals and often were required to practice bloodletting, such as using sculpted bone or jade instruments to perforate their penises, or drawing thorn-studded ropes through their tongues.

[YourAdHere]

I was hoping it would be a picture of Danni Boatwright in her red short shorts and Survivor buff.

[frgoff]

Winston Churchill gave you some good advice:

It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

[Old Professer]

Looks like two guys getting ready for a cockfight to me.

[The_Republican]

Damn!

I hope they leave something for me to discover.