Posted on 09/09/2006 10:42:41 AM PDT by blam
Mayan ruins said center of mysterious civilization
Fri Sep 8, 2006 11:43pm ET
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (Reuters) - Experts are examining the ruins of a pre-Columbian culture in an area of Honduras where there had been no previous evidence of major indigenous civilization.
The site, discovered earlier this year, consists of 14 mounds that form part of what are believed to be ceremonial grounds, the Honduran Institute of Anthropology said.
"They are part of a very important site, a governing center of a pre-Columbian civilization," Oscar Neils, the institute's head of research, told Reuters. "We had no idea that there was a pre-Columbian culture in this area."
The findings so far include an impressive carved stone monument, called a stela, as well as necklaces and grinding stones.
"The stela is a sculpture of various human and animal forms and is truly amazing in how well conserved it is," Neils said.
Three feet (1 meter) high and more than 4-1/2 feet (1-1/2 meters) wide, the stela is being displayed in the park of the nearby town of Moroceli, about 30 miles east of the capital of Tegucigalpa.
Neils said the site has been damaged by tractors involved in sugar cane growing, prompting Honduras' Culture Ministry to move to protect it.
Honduras is home to some 14,000 archeological sites, including world-famous Copan, which flourished between the fifth and ninth centuries and was one of the first Mayan sites to be excavated.
This site is completely distinct, Neils said.
"Its culture is an enigma," added the Mexican archeologist.
GGG Ping.
Was there a couple of months ago...missions trip. (Apparently, we got there too late...)
ELAINE: Alright, I have had it with those Mayans.
JERRY: I don't mind the Mayans.
ELAINE: You know that store, Putumayo? (sits) I was trying to
buy these hirachis, right, and the saleswoman just completely ignored me.
KRAMER: What, we talking hirachis? I know a great store for hirachis.
ELAINE: No, no, not Putumayo.
KRAMER: No, no. Cinqo de Mayo. (leaving) Yeah, Marcellino, he turned me on to it, and he's one sixty-fourth Mayan.
BELLOCK!
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HYDE: ...like your Mayan forefathers.
FEZ: My forefathers were not Mayan.
HYDE: Like anyone cares.
It may wind up named after the nearest modern village, unless inscriptions are found that can be read. I'll be very curious about the dating of the site.
Mayan ruins said center of mysterious civilizationY'know, they really don't know how to write a headline.
They use tractors for cane? Not truckloads of guys with machetes at 50 cents a day?
Note to file: update the economic model
Have they dated the site yet?
All I know is what is in the article, sorry.
I'll suggest 'pre-kinoxi' just to beat out the 'proto-aztlan' faction.
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