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Mayan Ruins Said Center Of Mysterious Civilization
Reuters ^ | 9-8-2006 | Science News

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.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: center; civilization; godsgravesglyphs; mayan; mysterious; ruins

1 posted on 09/09/2006 10:42:44 AM PDT by blam
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To: SunkenCiv

GGG Ping.


2 posted on 09/09/2006 10:43:18 AM PDT by blam
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To: blam
Honduras is home to some 14,000 archeological sites, including world-famous Copan...

Was there a couple of months ago...missions trip. (Apparently, we got there too late...)

3 posted on 09/09/2006 10:45:00 AM PDT by Onelifetogive (* Sarcasm tag ALWAYS required. For some Freepers, sarcasm can NEVER be obvious enough.)
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To: blam
We aren't allowed to post articles from this site so, I'll link it here:

Body Art Made It's Mark 300,000 Years Ago, Scientists Claim

4 posted on 09/09/2006 10:48:06 AM PDT by blam
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To: blam

5 posted on 09/09/2006 10:52:35 AM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: blam
We had no idea that there was a pre-Columbian culture in this area.

I wonder who gets to name it?
6 posted on 09/09/2006 10:52:57 AM PDT by kinoxi
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To: blam; MotleyGirl70; Cagey; Mr. Brightside

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.


7 posted on 09/09/2006 10:56:50 AM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: blam

BELLOCK!


8 posted on 09/09/2006 12:22:14 PM PDT by Walkingfeather (u)
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To: blam; FairOpinion; StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 24Karet; 3AngelaD; ...
Thanks Blam.

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.
Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on or off the
Gods, Graves, Glyphs PING list or GGG weekly digest
-- Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)

9 posted on 09/09/2006 4:37:58 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (updated my FR profile on Saturday, September 2, 2006. https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: Larry Lucido

HYDE: ...like your Mayan forefathers.

FEZ: My forefathers were not Mayan.

HYDE: Like anyone cares.


10 posted on 09/09/2006 4:51:41 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (updated my FR profile on Saturday, September 2, 2006. https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: kinoxi; blam

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.


11 posted on 09/09/2006 4:54:22 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (updated my FR profile on Saturday, September 2, 2006. https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: blam
Mayan ruins said center of mysterious civilization
Y'know, they really don't know how to write a headline.
12 posted on 09/09/2006 4:54:59 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (updated my FR profile on Saturday, September 2, 2006. https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: blam

They use tractors for cane? Not truckloads of guys with machetes at 50 cents a day?
Note to file: update the economic model


13 posted on 09/09/2006 4:56:26 PM PDT by RightWhale (Repeal the law of the excluded middle)
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To: blam

Have they dated the site yet?


14 posted on 09/09/2006 4:57:19 PM PDT by Tench_Coxe
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To: Tench_Coxe
"Have they dated the site yet?"

All I know is what is in the article, sorry.

15 posted on 09/09/2006 5:04:29 PM PDT by blam
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To: kinoxi
"We had no idea that there was a pre-Columbian culture in this area."...."I wonder who gets to name it?"

I'll suggest 'pre-kinoxi' just to beat out the 'proto-aztlan' faction.

16 posted on 09/10/2006 12:32:47 AM PDT by norton
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