Posted on 11/17/2007 5:04:54 PM PST by BGHater
Mexican anthropologists have discovered some 5,000-year-old cave paintings predating the Maya civilisation on Yucatan peninsula, Spanish news agency EFE reported.
According to Carlos Augusto of the Faculty of Anthropological Sciences at the Autonomous University of the Yucatan, they found some 60 paintings of man-like figures at the Kab cavern situated near the famous Chichen Itza archaeological site. There are also drawings of animal figures, birds or canines, Augusto said.
Anthropologists attribute them to the pre-Maya epoch, between 5,000 and 7,000 years ago.
Augusto also noted that there are also Mayan 'Ajau' symbols and pottery in the cave from the classical period of that civilisation showing that the cave was occupied at various times over the course of human history.
There are also drawings of crosses that suggest that it was occupied during the epoch of the Spanish conquest, he added.
The cave, made up of tunnels between three and five kilometres long, is a virtual labyrinth eight metres below ground.
He said that the cave 'shows the existence of symbolic thinking in Mesoamerica, when the human groups were still hunters and gatherers', something that he said was of 'extraordinary importance'.
this is older than the one below:
On Ancient Walls, a New Maya Epoch
New York Times | May 16, 2006 | JOHN NOBLE WILFORD
Posted on 05/16/2006 4:23:01 PM EDT by nickcarraway
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1633294/posts
|
|
|||
Gods |
Thanks BGHater. |
||
|
· Mirabilis · Texas AM Anthropology News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · · History or Science & Nature Podcasts · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists · |
|||
BTTT!
These are natural caverns, carved by water in the soft limestone which is the main rock type in that part of Mesoamerica. I've been inside huge caves in the Maya Mountains of Belize and have read recent accounts of caverns that extend for many miles. Archaeologists are finding many items of great interest in these caves.
The big Cenote at Chichen Itza is typical of the many sinkholes that underlie this region. SCUBA-equipped archeologists are finding large numbers of important artifacts because the Maya (and probably their predecessors) believed they originated in this underground realm. Many sacrifices (including human ones) were thrown into the cenotes to placate various gods.
When I click the link I get a story about fruit fly genes.
Dam. The site must have updated its pages.
Use this one.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/071115/43/6n9ai.html
When I click the link I get a story about fruit fly genes.
I never knew the little critters wore clothing!
The Mayans are very much alive; the race didn't die out when the big city-states collapsed. There are thriving Mayan cultures in Belize, Guatemala and Mexico and probably further south. They look exactly like the people pictured in the Codexes and other Mayan art. If you visit San Ignacio in the Maya Mountains, near the Guatemalan border, you'll find an entire city of Mayans.
Nobody knows for sure what the Olmecs really looked like. I've studied many images of Olmec art and the human images represent a very odd mix of Asian, Negroid and indeterminate racial types. It looks to me like Olmec culture was one of the first "melting pots" in the Western Hemisphere. How and when the various groups got there is a mystery. Blam has posted many articles speculating on that.
The Colossal Heads are suggestive of Negroid features, yet I've seen Indians from South America with those same faces. While he's not a dead ringer, take a look at Hugo Chavez. I think he carries some of those same features.
As for Guatemala, I haven't had a chance to travel much beyond Tikal and Lake Peten. But the several days we spent near the lake were some of the most pleasant and unforgettable in my life despite the guys with AK-47s hiding near the hotel entrance. They were there to protect us Gringos from being kidnapped and held for ransom.
Thanks! I am familar with limestone caves. Discoveries like these are one of the reasons why I loved having a National Geographic subscription as a kid.
Thanks I thought I was going crazy for a minute. Grizzled Bear
I guess the flies like denim.
I guess the flies like denim.
The sad part is now that they are into “Low Rise” genes they are getting tiny little “tramp stamp” tatoos just above their little tiny butt cracks.
Perhaps the crown jewel of Guatemala is Antigua Guatemala. 400 year old Spanish colonial with cobblestone streets, surrounded by three volcanoes. It is also the weaving capital of the region.
But I noticed that every city in Guatemala has a completely different character. Guatemala City is pretty run down, but still has some great classic 1940s-style hotels and pleasant museums.
It’s definitely worth it to shell out the bucks for a taxi instead of riding on one of those *%*&%^ buses, though.
I plan to focus just on Guatemala on a future trip. I seem to be drawn to places subject to military upheavals and civil wars. I'm headed to Sri Lanka in the spring if hostilities between the Tamil Tigers and the Sinhalese permit. If not maybe I'll switch plans to Guatemala. Any advice on the best months to visit? I hate really hot weather and don't want rain to spoil things!
First of all, going when there is less hostility is always better for any number of reasons. Since every large city has a bad neighborhood, it is also wise to steer clear of that as well.
If you find yourself attracted to a place precisely because it is dangerous, in all seriousness you should mention that to some type of analyst, to at least find out why you have such a motive. It is not uncommon, in that many people are attracted to high risk activities, but it is important to know why.
As far as Antigua Guatemala, it is a very temperate place with little variation of weather. The temperature changes only slightly, year around, in about a 72-80 degree range. The better places in town have fireplaces, but they are usually just decorative. They burn that balsa-like wood that is gone in 10-15 minutes.
The town is oriented towards teaching young American couples Spanish, so typically you hire a guide to accompany and teach you as you meander around. Good horseback riding as well.
The American expats in town tend towards Hemingway types, and are a little defensive about the prospect of returning to the US. While TV is available (I noted Guatemala City got the Sci Fi Channel before Phoenix did), in Antigua, few Americans watch it much.
Importantly, when you go there, be sure to buy the limit of clothing and goods to bring back to the US. When I was there, it was about $200. Back in the US, it was worth perhaps ten times as much, and looks very snazzy. They also sell wood carvings such as masks.
Gee, I can almost taste the guacamole and frijoles negroes.
That's hilarious! I may need a shrink but not for that reason! I'm going to Sri Lanka on business, not because it's dangerous, lol. I avoid civil wars, tsunamis and mayhem as prudently as anyone would.
Thanks for the other info on Guatemala. Apart from the archaeology and usual sightseeing, I'm interested mainly in jadeite from the Motagua Valley and understand Antigua is one of the main processing centers.
Cheers!
“The Mayans are very much alive; the race didn’t die out when the big city-states collapsed... They look exactly like the people pictured in the Codexes and other Mayan art.”
Not only that, the true Maya of today still carry the “Mongolian Spot,” a small purplish spot that looks like a birthmark at the base of their spine, that they share with the native peoples of Mongolia.
The Mayan ancestried tend towards high, sloping foreheads, almost Roman noses, and a rather long gait with erect carriage.
The Olmec ancestried tend towards a rounder face, with a flatter nose, sometimes almost negroid, a shorter gait and a more relaxed carriage.
Importantly, these are only the two dominant *appearance* subtypes in Guatemala. The actual ethnic differences are far more pronounced (from the CIA Factbook Guatemala):
Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K’iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q’eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001 census).
Strangely enough, if you travel to Mexico, Honduras, or Belize, there is tremendous difference both in appearance subtype, actual ethnicity, and most likely DNA.
One of the eccentricities of Americas “Hispanics”, a bizarre term, to say the least, is that intermarriage across national borders with other Hispanics only very rarely happens. That is, someone who looks entirely Mayan from Mexico will almost never marry someone who looks entirely Mayan from Guatemala; however either will be much more likely to marry someone with European, African, or even Asian ancestry.
“Hispanic” as a racial category, only originated as a US federal government quantification during the Reagan administration. In practical terms it makes no sense at all, in that Hispanics can be blond haired and blue eyed Europeans, olive skinned and green eyed almost like Mediterraneans, brown skinned and brown eyed, or similar to various tribes of Africans and Indians. I would not be surprised if some are distinctly Asian or Pacific Islander in appearance.
I guess our little waiter is Olmec.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.