Oldest Maya Mural Uncovered in Guatemala

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

[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.