Life in the Classic Maya Period: Majesty and Beauty

The Maya Classic period is widely considered the golden age of the ancient Maya and saw incredible achievements in art, architecture and science. Let’s explore what made this time period so brilliant and why the classic period continues to fascinate the scholars and public today.
Intro: 0:01
Disclaimers: 1:22
Political Introduction: 3:28
City Organization: 5:03
Maya Kings and Queens: 8:12
Maya Warfare: 11:16
Life for Maya Commoners: 14:58
Maya Religion: 18:48
Maya Art: 22:32
Maya Science: 32:13
Water Management Technology: 34:58
Maya Architecture: 38:23
Patreon: / ancientamericas
Facebook: / ancientamericas ​
Sources and Bibliography: docs.google.com/document/d/1x...

[@TheMrBrosef]

I almost started crying when you said there are only 4 Codices left out of thousands. It's so tragic to think of the wealth of culture and history that was destroyed forever.

[@AncientAmericas]

So much is gone forever.

[@jonajo9757]

I had a heart attack when reading this like wtf, only four?

[@TheMrBrosef]

@@jonajo9757 The Spanish (in particular the monk Diego De Landa) ordered all Mayan texts destroyed because they were considered Satanic. It was horrific.

[@jillatherton4660]

Thankyou Bishop Diego de Landa.

[@Got-lander]

They would be banned or burned in the southern states just as quickly today.

[@sarahwatts7152]

I always love videos about the Maya that don't include aliens. UFOlogy is such an efficient way to disrespect any and all ancient civilizations

[@AncientAmericas]

As far as I'm concerned, the truth is far more interesting than the alien theories.

[@zekeolopwi6642]

I dunno. It's pretty funny to listen to every now and again 😂

[@monsieurdorgat6864]

It really is so disrespectful. It's no wonder that SO MANY of those "Ancient Aliens" people are also white supremacists.

[@thunder.perfectmind]

As always, you focus on the really good stuff: ceramic techniques and water/land management, how people actually lived. Wish there was more channels like this for Ancient Mesopotamia or East Asia, not just "who killed who in what battle".

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@doolittle8888]

Every video feels more detailed than the last, can't wait for the sequel about classic Maya political drama!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@Michigander269]

As a Michigander with Ojibwa heritage and an amateur history buff, I absolutely love the content you make! Thanks for all your hard work keeping this history alive.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@TheSuzberry]

I have none of your bona fides but love the channel from the depths of ignorance I inhabit. Hugs

[@billweirdo9657]

Fellow Ojibwa ( of the Wisconsinite variety) been watching this guy a while and I agree he's putting in alot of work to help keep native history alive. He's also done a bunch on Nations of the north as well as meso and south America.

[@nikolavideomaker]

Totally agree, his content is amazing. As a person from eastern europr with 0 connection to ancient americans I love this content. I find it funny that Americans with 1/16 or 1/32 native heritage even talk about it.

[@billweirdo9657]

@Nikola I'm glad you are taking an interest in our history and our cousins to the south ( meso and South American nations ). Alot of misinformation is out there and people of the past unfortunately wanted to wash away our history and achievements to hold onto to the " noble savage" perception of our people. They don't teach how our agriculture techniques changed the way the world fed its self or how much our medicine improved the lives of people around the world, instead we just hear how the Europeans " saved the savages". Some like to romanticize us and claim we didn't have wars or that no nation practiced slavery, other end of the spectrum you'll hear that we were all cannibals sacrificing each other. When in fact neither perception is the truth. Channels like this dive into our history without bias and without those common misperceptions. They allow our achievements to speak for themselves. This is why I subscribed and have watched ever since. Their is a education service called " the great courses" that has some amazing lectures as well. The professors name is Edwin Barnhart who makes the presentation he also has a free podcast that's pretty good.

[@daviddeltoro1808]

YES! As a K'iche' Maya myself you have no idea how stoked I am to have your amazing analysis videos display our culture and history better than i ever could. I know we have a long way to go, but when you inevitably get to the post classic period and start covering important periods in Maya history like the second half of the Popol Wuj, the complexities of highland Maya literature like the Rabinal Achij and the rich histories of the many highland titulos (One of which, the Titulo K'oyoi, was written by the very Maya lineage I am descended from) or the glory and rich history and conquests of the mighty kingdom of Q'umarkaaj, hit me up! I will do narration for free lol. I can point you to many rich and invaluable resources that lay out the history of K'iche' in incredible detail. I've debated making a video myself but i don't have the guts to do what you do. Maltyox!

[@michaireneuszjakubowski5289]

I just wanted to say... Popol Vuh is one of the books that made the greatest impression on me. The story itself fascinated me greatly (all despite the fact that I didn't understand much of it), but the final sentence really brought me down... "There is only this. All is now completed concerning Quiché, called Santa Cruz." I remember rushing to the library to learn more, reading up on it as quick as I could, and the elation I felt when I realized that your people are still around, and the story isn't over after all! This started my fascination with the peoples of the Americas and their cultures, and for that, I wanted to thank your people. For providing such a gem for the rest of the world to marvel at, and for surviving adversities of conquest and foreign rule, which is a tale and a lesson upon itself. PS: Sorry for spelling; I used the spelling I learnt from the books, which I know is probably inaccurate.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you! I appreciate the offer!

[@daviddeltoro1808]

@@michaireneuszjakubowski5289 Which translation did you read? If you have the translation by Dennis Tedlock I highly recommend you read the newer translation by Allen J. Christiionson, and if you can get your hands on it, his literal word-for-word translation which is called 'The Popol Vuh Vol. 2'. That book will be buried with me and passed on to my kids. He illustrated really well how complex K'iche' literature was during the colonial period. And how well established and intricate Maya poetry could be, weaving together mythology and history flawlessly.

[@michaireneuszjakubowski5289]

@@daviddeltoro1808 "Which translation did you read?" The answer's kinda complicated, because I read two, one in Polish, and one in English. The Polish one was by Elżbieta Siarkiewicz, the English I THINK was Tedlock, but that I read during my uni book cramming episode, so I don't recall it as clearly. And of course, thank you for the recommendations, I'll look for them as soon as I get the opportunity. "That book will be buried with me and passed on to my kids." I know that will sound cliche, but that's deep, and I mean it. For comparison, I don't think my people have such a unifying, almost all-encompassing cultural product. Sure, we have "Pan Tadeusz" which nominally fits this description, and every Pole can recite its beginning, but I've always felt the connection to its meaning is quite shallow for most people here. For you? Not so, and from my cultural perspective, it's inspiring, and gives me hope, in a way. Another think to thank you for, I guess. PS: I'm sorry, correction bc I've just looked it up: the Polish translation was redacted by Mrs. Siarkiewicz, and translated by Halina Czarnocka and Carlos Marrodán Casas. It was translated directly from Qatzijob’al, but, being a complete layman, I can't judge its accuracy in any way.

[@RAJAT6555]

As an Indian (you would call us 'East Indian'), I have always been interested in learning about the different civilizations and religions of the Americas. Of these, the Maya are particularly fascinating to me at least - the Mayan civilization begins at around the same time as the composition of the Atharva Veda, thus making it a chronological sister of ours. I have never been outside India, but I have seen photos and videos of Mayan architecture and sculpture, and they're mind-blowing, to say the least. Could you point me to a book (in English) on the history of the Maya civilization that is written from the Mayan point of view? Thanks in advance.

[@IndigenousHistoryNow]

I never cease to be amazed at the brilliance of Indigenous American environmental management. Recreating healthy wetlands for urban water supply, genius!

[@AncientAmericas]

Always amazes me too.

[@hedgehog3180]

It's especially interesting because it's something that modern society only recently discovered and started utilizing. Near me there's a lake that was created in order to clean run off water from farms and filter out nitrogen before it reaches to ocean to prevent oxygen deprivation but that project is from 2006. This is basically brand new knowledge and we only gained enough knowledge of the nitrogen cycle and ecosystems to start utilizing it in the last 40 or so years. The Maya apparently had some rudementary knowledge of the nitrogen cycle and complex ecosystems about a thousand years ago and were able to use it to accomplish feats the rest of world were only able to accomplish in the 20th century without the aid of industrial technology. I wonder if there's some codex out there lost to the devestation of colonization which described these Maya theories in greater detail and guided Mayan civil engineers.

[@Pharry_]

I love this channel. So many people who say they're "into history" are only into europe. I got bored of europe the moment I learned that china had semi automatic crossbows. Precolumbian America is one of my favorite topics and it never gets the attention it deserves, so I'm really glad this channel exists!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

[@moobles2998]

It is fascinating that the competing city-state structure is uniquely suited to the patronage of the arts and philosophies. The Classical Greek, Renaissance Italian & Classical Mayan ages all contributed beautifully to the Collective human history. Perhaps it is just that golden middle-ground of a city being just big enough of a territory to tax to provide funding for arts and philosophy, yet just small enough to still allow for the rapid upward and downward momentum to truly allow the best of the best to thrive. Considering you have 'symbolic' warfare, with only the warrior caste and select nobles and you ensure trade, stability prosperity and taxability of the vast majority of your populace. Ensuring a very stable society. What I wouldn't give to see the three nations' periods in their hey-day.

[@moobles2998]

@@thomaseriksen6885 Thank you friend! I have not read much of Nansen, though I have heard much. I'll have to invest in quite a few new books, then. Another thought to ponder, is whether we as a society can emulate these effects while still maintaining the strengths of larger nations, namely the coherency and goal-orientation a centralized society can bring. Please have a wonderful day!

[@hedgehog3180]

I think it's that city states uniquely incentivize investment in art and culture as they help increase the prestige of the city, which can help assert the power of its ruler. This is especially the case when it comes to religion as investment in religious art can bring a direct monetary return in the form of pilgrims. And since the state is just one city or a confederation of cities all wealth is poured back into that single city. In larger states usually the vast majority of investment would only go towards the capital and specifically the court of the ruler since that's the only place that matters, and a lot more needs to be diverted towards the army because you need it to enforce rule over a much larger area. Ruling a single city just requires control over the town guard, you don't need enough troops to potentially lay siege to the strongholds of rebellious subjects. Also of course another important component in all of these historical periods was trade, cities are of course uniquely well suited for controlling trade and profitting off of it. City states generally only come into existence when there is rich trade that gives them leverage against larger states.

[@moobles2998]

@@hedgehog3180 oh! What fantasticly believable reasoning! I must simply agree! Religious and cultural tourism/pilgrimages are a very interesting component to city-state dynamics! I don't have to tell you this, but I must still say, the single most egregious fact about city-states is simply that they cannot match the volume of production, nor volume of transactions that an organized 'conventional' state can. Both internally within the same given area, and between statehoods (though that is a of course given.) As we are all aware, quantity is a quality all of its own. And city states are unfortunately cursed to maintain a large comprehensive network of tarriffs and toll barriers, which stifles trade in quantity. I just wish city-states weren't so transitionary in nature, meaning it always seems just a phase before the aggregation of larger statehoods. As a connected thought, in many ways, this mirrors the tendency of markets to be dominated by a few winners, before the winners eventually stagnate. Unlike markets however, monopoly- and oligopoly-breakers are rare to find on a state-level. Perhaps, it can be reasoned, federations of smaller competitors are the natural state-breaker when a single state grows to become a winner. Oh well! So many lovely thoughts! So little time to explore them all! Have a great day!

[@SkunkApe407]

Another fantastically researched and produced video. Thank you for spotlighting Pre-Columbian American history. These cultures were vibrant, rich, and far more advanced than we have been led to believe in textbooks. They deserve to be studied and celebrated in all their splendor.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@SkunkApe407]

@@AncientAmericas you're most welcome. Thank you for consistently creating top tier content for us to consume. These videos are no small effort. You definitely deserve all the love and respect you receive from the following you've garnered.

[@lewzee2066]

Nothing but lies in here being told

[@SkunkApe407]

@@lewzee2066 🙄

[@lewzee2066]

@@SkunkApe407 I only speak truth...The Mayan,Olmec and Aztec were all so called negro (copper colored)people of the Americas....The catholic church and Vatican have lied about ALL of history as we know it...They told everything in reverse... Africans didn't come to the Americas on the bottom ships Europeans did ..So called black people were already here. We didn't disappear we are the copper colored people Columbus knew was here...Yes over 90% of us were already here ... American cities were here built up when Columbus arrived to begin his attack.. America had a underground transportation system centuries ago . We knew the stars and understood what we could do during a solar escilpse... Elite Europeans have destroyed our beautiful planet along with people and have made everything unnatural good and natural bad.. We didn't know war til they arrived...We buried and hid all our technology...Still today great cites are being found in amerca buried and under water....Classified the original people colored,negro,black and newly african American...We are the true indigenous American Indians, Christianity and new classifications were forced on us... Archaeologist know who all these people are... America is the heart of civilization not Africa.. America is the land of milk and honey that's why Columbus came here to murder,deceive and take along with the rest of his kind .The story of him discovering a land already occupied tells the story...ALL need to learn their true history and where they come from 🎉

[@juliajs1752]

Your channel is nearly the last one doing documentaries without over-the-top dramatic scripts or questionable "finds" that are interpreted as it fits the narrative. Thank you!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@modularsamples]

This has quickly become one of my favourite channels on any topic, every video is a gem. I even love the disclaimers.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you! Also buckle up because the next episode is going to have even more disclaimers. No joke.

[@ericgajdostik2612]

Thanks for the video. The part about Maya water management was incredible. It reminded me of when i was a kid I had the incredible opportunity to visit Copan. This was a couple years after Hurrricane Mitch, which wrecked the Central American region in 1998. Our tour guide told us that while the rest of the country was devastated, the Copan site was practically unharmed, because the ancient Maya had engineered such an effective drainage system.

[@AncientAmericas]

It is really incredible. I watched a lecture a few years ago by an archaeologist about a site he worked extensively at. (I don't remember exactly which site it was, maybe Xunantunich?) At any rate, when they started restoring the site, they had to plan and build a drainage system. After the engineers came in and gave their recommendation on where and how to build it, they started digging a channel. In the process, they discovered an ancient Maya channel exactly where the engineers had to told them to build it. The Maya had come to the exact same conclusion as a modern engineer on how to design a drainage system. They knew what they doing!

[@atlasaltera]

Such a great video, once again! The astronomical expertise is impressive, but the innovative use of zeolites in water management was a surprise to me! Also, the hydraulic methods remind me of the johads of Rajasthan.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thanks! I actually had even more archaeoastronomy and geometry in the first draft but had to cut it out. (Maybe another episode someday!) You have no idea how deep that rabbit hole goes.

[@rosiehawtrey]

A case of convergent engineering, probably.

[@hedgehog3180]

@@AncientAmericas Please do an episode of Maya mathematics and geometry and perhaps pre-columbian mathematics in general. It'd be fascinating to hear about how maths developed in a society with a different basis from the Eurasian one.

[@AncientAmericas]

@@hedgehog3180 Believe it or not, it's actually on my list but I have no clue when I'll get to it.

[@naruto4051]

Always a joy to see new videos!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@seionne85]

I loved that casual ancient alien debunk lol

[@AncientAmericas]

Gotta sneak it in somewhere without derailing the topic.

[@littlesnowflakepunk855]

you're one of my absolute favorite channels on here. your research and storytelling is always immaculate

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@tiltiktekwani7562]

You have no idea, how excited I become when seeing your videos. I think part of the reason is that we have all this very comprehensive narratives of other cultures, such as the egyptian, greco-roman, iranian, chinese, but mesoamerican are sometimes relegated as just some pyramids, archeological sites and that's it. These explorations of the maya really give a breath of reality to all thw history. Touches themes which are rarely talked when mayas are involved, like intricacies of engineering, palaces. It even brought out more questions, like how were the mathematics for the maya, were they abstract and numerical, similar to how people think of it today, or were they geometric? Again, thanks for the work :)

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you! Maya mathematics is a subject unto itself. Geometry and proportions figure highly in their architecture but they were perfectly capable of computing higher mathematical functions like other ancient people. Their numerical system made calculations very straightforward. If you look at their calendrical cycles and calculations, you can see that they were not afraid to work with very large numbers.

[@hedgehog3180]

@@AncientAmericas Do we know if the Maya had developed anything like Algebra or were close to doing so? Astronomy doesn't really lend itself well to algebra but trade seems to as it often involves unknown variables.

[@AncientAmericas]

​@@hedgehog3180 Not that I'm aware. If there's a field of mathmatics where you can really see Maya thinking, its in geometry.

[@sefghimassi8600]

Excellent point regarding the fact that warfare in Mayan culture was generally a limited affair, much more so than in the West. Thanks for the fine content, and the details.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@hedgehog3180]

That would actually be similar to warfare in Ancient Greece. From what we know at least early on it was also a somewhat limited affair carried out by the elite, growing as time went on. So seemingly this is a consequence of a society based on city states were conflict was limited to avoid killing too much of the elite. The objectives of conflict also placed some natural limits on its extent, with conflict usually being over the control of natural resources like fields or rivers and therefore not being existential in a way that can create huge conflicts.

[@michaireneuszjakubowski5289]

I must say, your videos are a sight for sore eyes. The topic is criminally underreported outside the academia. And as always, you did a splendid job covering the topic so that laymen such as me can appreciate it.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@GregSamsa999]

Hey man, I absolutely love your videos. Growing up I had the privilege of living in Mexico City not too far away from the National Museum of Archeology and as a nerdy kid who loved history it quickly became one of my happy places and I would constantly ask my parents to take me there. Your videos bring back that childhood excitement from learning about ancient Mesoamerica. I recently travelled to South America and became fascinated by the History of the people of the Patagonia, would you ever consider doing a video covering that topic? I would love to watch a video of yours talking about the Kaweskar, Selk'nam, Yahgan and Aonikenk

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you! If I can get my hands on some good research, I'd love to cover Patagonia someday.

[@paullp1685]

I never expect to learn as much as I do from these videos!

[@RandomBoy0101]

Hello, I am an aspiring archaeologist and let me tell you that your work is brilliant, you cover several parts very well, let me tell you that sadly today most people know so little about their past that they do not even think that the beautiful Mayan temples were ever Once they were painted, since I was little I loved the sensation of archeology, like a great nostalgic void of the people who once lived, greetings from Chiapas, Mexico. (sorry for the grammar mistakes i used google translate).

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@huascar66]

I cannot put into words how much I treasure these documentary videos of The Americas before the Europeans invaded and occupied both continents. The Maya fascinate me and I have learned so very much from these videos. I recently found a book in a second hand store titled "Reading The Maya Glyphs". Absolutely fascinating!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you! I've actually got that same book on my desk right now. It's a wonderful resource!

[@EresirThe1st]

An ancient americas episode and a survive the jive episode in the same week, what a treat!

[@noahinson]

Love your channel so much!! Native American cultures are rarely talked about in history classes, so I love learning about what the pre-columbian americas were like.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@symbolsandsystems]

back in the '70s there was a film made in the Yucatan jungle starring only the local villagers by art film makers. it was called 'Chaac' or maybe with just one 'a'. it was the story of a Mayan village experiencing a drought who seek out the help of a recluse shaman to make it rain. it's a tragedy, but in the end it rains.

[@symbolsandsystems]

the only spoken dialog is the local language.

[@AncientAmericas]

Interesting. I'd never heard of that.

[@j.e.hernandez9721]

You can make your videos 2 hours long and I’ll still watch all the way through. Fantastic, accurate content. Thank you.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@Ahuizotl_Yolotl]

Damn it, I know it takes a lot of time to make this amazing videos, but waiting for the next is a torture.

[@AncientAmericas]

Well this next one shouldn't take as long to produce so yay!

[@leesenger3094]

Great to hear your voice again feeding my mind with knowledge and insight! Gratitude!

[@the_major]

Awesome episode! Great to see you back!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@portalthefella]

hell yeah more maya stuff so glad to see! as always your videos are amazing and extremely informative. love your videos and i always come back to rewatch them a hundred times!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thanks Portal! Always a pleasure to read your comments!

[@cabwaylingo_]

every time you upload a video it is one of the highlights of my week. love your work!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@ElinT13]

I just found your channel and I am awed, I did not expect such a high level of professionality and historicity! Thanks so much for your work!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@Colorful_Cascadia]

So glad to catch this right as I'm headed to bed on the west coast. Amazing work as always. Keep it up❤

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@cullenchase9161]

This channel is one of the best lecture series I've come across on any topic!! I have only had a single class throughout my undergrad that consistently was as interesting as all of your videos/lectures are. I can't wait for the next one!!!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@BobbyHill26]

I think I’ve seen every video on your channel at least 3 times, some even more, and I’m finishing my second viewing of this one today. Fantastic video as always. As long as you keep making them, I’ll keep watching and enjoying them and even if you stop, I’ll just keep the reruns going. And I’m sure if you can’t do it yourself that you already have a guy for it, but I would be more than happy to help with any Spanish sources if you ever need it

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@Pauliey365]

Nothing but love for your content. Solid work everytime.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@pimpompoom93726]

Was eagerly awaiting your next production, well done!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@geraldmeehan8942]

Thank you for another wonderful.episode. Your content is top notch. Keep up the good work!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@oiaeyu]

Your style of videos are just so polished!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Fascinating, thank you. Those wall paintings are incredible.

[@AncientAmericas]

Hey there! Thanks!

[@Eckendenker]

I am so excited for this series! Great and vivid video.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@TheIrelandish]

Catching em live! The best notification to receive while I'm sitting down for dinner.

[@blinkrush6101]

Excellent work as always! You never miss

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@patriciacarrrasquilla2281]

Your research is incredible good! Thank you for sharing it.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@brandofoster6195]

I've been binge watching this channel since i subscribed 😊

[@carlosrosadovdg]

Awesome work as always!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thanks Carlos!

[@KeCzajkowski]

Another great video to add to the list.

[@hannahbrown2728]

Its always a great day when Ancient Americas uploads a video

[@jeffreywilliams3421]

great video, looking forward to the next one

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@Looksmaxmogger]

Best pre Colombian channel 🐐

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@Mathematic_divenation]

Love this channel,wish every episode cracked an hour

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@pabloj1789]

Really impressive stuff, love this Kindle videos 👏👏👏

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@FurrKnight]

Excellent work!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@jeremiah_dyess]

So I often put these talks on when I'm sleeping. So when I wake up I'm discovering something new. This talk struck me as amazing. You guys did such a good job. 2 Thumbs Up!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@nicolasguiresse6435]

You are quickly becoming my favourite channel

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@thishominid871]

I'm glad to be finally hearing some of the inscription translations.

[@terrywallace5181]

Another informative and entertaining video. Thanks!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@adb4522]

You putting out videos after videos, thanks man :)

[@tselone]

Dope video and content! Keep them comin!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@big_sk4ian424]

0:42, 5:00, 19:02 The pictures of pottery look similar to how my people would inscribe stories on birch baskets not as detailed but it's very cool to see similarities so far away, our stone carvings on shorelines had more elaborate pictures and stories still not as solid because there old and carved on hard to work rock

[@jeepmega629]

I always consider the Mayans one of the great civilizations of history

[@arome5901]

Love these videos! Thank you 🙏

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@pollos9238]

I love every single video you make!!! ❤

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@TenOrbital]

Wonderful insight to a lost world. Thanks again!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@jwknauf]

Brilliant work!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@subcommandertal7450]

Recently discovered your channel and am really enjoying it! You offer a balanced perspective and good overviews and walk the fine line between academic stodginess and snarky youtube frivolity.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@shikawgoh]

I was so happy when I looked into my KZbin subscriptions to see what was new and saw this sitting there. Time to get full on Mayan.

[@AncientAmericas]

There's gonna be a few Maya episodes this year so buckle up!

[@stuarttothemax]

Y’all deserve to have a show on (insert favorite streaming service here)

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@88arakvita]

Awesome video. Greetings from Minneapolis Minnesota ♥️🙏🙏

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you! Greetings from the midwest!

[@mikvairk9980]

Great educational video. 👍👍

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@FlameClone]

Makes you wonder how the Mayan Empire would look right now if they were never discovered by the Europeans.

[@dw620]

Out of interest, do you think they would've stopped human sacrifice by now? And, if so, why?

[@eduardoaguilar1550]

@@dw620 There are a lot of "isolated" cultures that still practice animal sacrifice all around the world, and in some very isiolated areas where, maybe not sacrifice in the same aspect, but the use of humans for witchery and ritualistic practices still exists (like albinos in Africa). Here in México you can still find animal sarifices in really isolated vilages and in not isolated communities that practice santeria. I live in a relatively big town/city and still, sometimes you can find a dead hen here and there because it was used for some ritual of santeria... actually rumor has it that not so long ago, in Matamoros, there was a shady group that practiced the sacrificing of humans for the benefit of... the least savoury "merchants" of the country. So, in short, no.

[@catalinacaro8183]

It would probably look like medieval- reinacanse europe, they were already close to it although the aztec empire would had fallen down anyways at some point, maybe human sacrifice would had stopped or maybe kept as a more mayan style ocasional sacrifice. But since they were already pretty advanced in math and astronomy I can see them developing science further. Maybe not as mayans but a latter descendant culture of them. Also for them to learn to use the wheel in things other than toys 😜

[@spacebunny4335]

Great video as always the Maya are fascinating.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@tobo7580]

The more I watch and listen to these videos on Mayan culture the more I realize that they aren't that far off of Mesopotamian culture around the Bronze ages. Very interesting to look at and listen to. Good job.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thanks! And yes, I have drawn similar comparisons to Mesopotamia too.

[@Asmodeus_1]

Thank you for another incredible video

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@jacobtalbot1890]

Your channel is my favorite channel on KZbin. You teach in such a way that I’m able to sponge up the information, and it retains well(pronunciations excluded 😅). My dad used to drag me around to North American mounds and “teach” me about them. He’s very Mormon, and so it was all weird pseudo archeology. I thought I had no interest in the pre columbian history’s. But man, oh man was I wrong! Learn me more- so I can tell anybody who will listen about the unique craft styles, and dietary habits of cultures that have faded from most known memory. Sure my audience might be trapped in a car with me…and sure it might be the other siblings taught the same weird racist malarky that my dad used to spew…and sure it’s cheaper then a therapy session, but try and stop me!!! 🎉

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you! Have fun spreading the message!

[@keeperoftruth5951]

Immediately liked and shared

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@afrz4454]

Amazing video as usual Pete, it’d be interesting to know how did the Teotihuacan influenced the Maya and how the Maya influenced Teotihuacan across diverse aspects of daily life. Is it known how the Mayan refer to the teotihuacan? We know the Mexica name for them but I’ve never heard how the Mayan used to call them taking under consideration the Mayan had more direct interactions with them than the Mexica ever did.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you! Don't worry, we'll discuss that more in the next episode. To my knowledge, I am not aware of any Maya records that refer to Teotihuacan by name.

[@afrz4454]

@@AncientAmericas Thats interesting, because they do refer to other cities by name, given the scale of the impact Teotihuacan caused into the maya world, one assumes they must have mentioned it somewhere

[@AncientAmericas]

@@afrz4454 You'd think! I could be wrong or perhaps they did but we haven't deciphered it or maybe the records have been lost.

[@NoverMaC]

@@AncientAmericas apparently it's 'puh' according to wikipedia (ik ik wikipedia not the best but hey)

[@thecaveofthedead]

We're never disappointed. That temple capturing those solar calendar events was amazing. As was the stuff about their water management.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you! There's a lot of literature on Maya archaeoastronomy. It's a huge topic.

[@urbaneplanner]

Good overview - the point that there were actually a lot of Mayan cities beyond the largest ones is an important one. I have visited some of the larger ones, including Copán, Tikal, and Calakmul, but also some lesser known ones such as Chinkultik and Tenem Puente in Chiapas, which are also spectacular (and much less touristed as well - great places to quietly soak up the atmosphere of ancient ruins)

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@br1qbat]

Thanks for making my day. ❤

[@AncientAmericas]

You're welcome!

[@CleanupKrew7]

Everytime I see that you uploaded a new video is like waking up on Christmas morning lol 😂 Seriously though, I absolutely love your content.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@callumbush1]

Very interesting.

[@MrSunshinealot]

Well it's no wonder now the Maya built such high temples, they needed the high ground.

[@AncientAmericas]

Is that an Obi Wan reference??

[@MrSunshinealot]

@@AncientAmericas why yes, of course!

[@ryecreeks]

😂🙌​@@AncientAmericas

[@maximeestevn5319]

Such an underrated channel.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@electroflame6188]

24:57 dayum dat mustache tho

[@EricM-gm5wz]

Damn even Ancient Mexicans had mustaches like that lol

[@ShadowKSG]

My favorite channel on youtube

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@troydodson9641]

Fantastic presentation and an engaging narration! It does well to point out their achievements, and it helps me understand how incredible they are when you do comparisons, like the Lunation days. Unfortunately, I am no expert at Mesoamerican history, but I am a fan of warfare and old art. I would beware of taking at least the depictions of warfare to seriously. While it should not be disregarded, art of battles are usually romanticized. Old world holds this usually true, and I'm willing to bet the same goes here. Example, art of the medieval battlefields of Europe focus heavily on the mounted nobility and often underplay or ignore the lesser rank and file. I know of the ritualized warfare in the area, but certainly there is a difference when intent is to sack, subjugate or punish WE LOVE YOU!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you! I agree that depictions of battle are likely very stylized as they are in most ancient societies. That said, they are still very interesting to consider as an ideal of noble warfare.

[@troydodson9641]

@@AncientAmericas The chronicles love the visage of colorful and trained nobility, and so do I

[@rotorheadstu]

Your content is spectacular, but from the sense of an Attenborough documentary. There are many subjects I enjoy, but KZbin producers pollute good content with their own faces, relentless and sloppy edits, tumultuous flow, and more uttered 'likes' than a puppy video. You are seamlessly organized, captivatingly enunciated, poignantly humorous (your 'force' comment was anticipated and did not disappoint), and you enrich your content visually, making it impossible to just listen. I'm constantly interrupted to see the maps, codices, artwork, architecture and timelines; damn your resistance to podcasting alone. Thank you for the depth of care in your work.

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Always nice to see someone who appreciates my dad jokes. Funny you mention podcasting because this channel was originally going to be a podcast but as I started planning the first episodes, I realized that I would need a lot of visual aids and then decided to make it a youtube channel.

[@pkt1213]

Another episode!!!!!!!! NICE!

[@jeffreyabell]

Awesome job

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@vazak11]

So cool!

[@osvaldobenavides5086]

Another masterpiece!

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you!

[@matthewhuang9588]

I love these videos

[@darkwynggryph]

Amazing video and well done research as always 😊 and kudos to pointing out that the culture(s) never formed an empire, it’s a huge pet peeve of mine and I feel it reduces the frankly astounding number of ethnic groups within the region and the interesting history of mayan cities to one incorrect term

[@AncientAmericas]

Thank you! Yeah, it really bugs me when I see Maya Empire labeled on a map. Even if the Maya were united in one Maya state, it probably wouldn't be an "empire" unless you're using a very specific definition or they also conquered non-Maya people around them.

[@shoutykat]

The two photos side by side at 25:16 are taken at slightly different angles and make a surprisingly good crossed-eye stereograph.

[@loquemacuh]

Great Video 👍 Have you ever considered covering the Huastecs?

[@AncientAmericas]

Yes, they are on my list but we won't be covering them anytime soon.

[@aloysiuslchomas]

I would think the religions of Mesoamerica would make a great topic for some future video, far too often people reduce those complex theologies to just the human sacrifice, especially the mysteries they practised.

[@AncientAmericas]

Agreed!

[@SergioMedinahouseValuesLA]

Thank you!!!