Observing a Solar Eclipse at an Ancient Maya Pyramid

Edzná
(House of the Itzá)
19.5969381, -90.2296018
One of the largest and most impressive ancient Maya cities in the Yucatán peninsula, Edzná was first settled in the preclassic period around 600 BC and flourished as a major local hub throughout the Classic period, being abandoned at the time of Spanish colonization. It is considered to be one of the most important Maya astronomical observation centers, and is designed to track the movement of the sun, moon, and other planets.
Normally empty and with few visitors due to its remote location, I went there during the solar eclipse of October 14th, 2023 and was one of the thousand visitors.
To learn more about the history of Edzná, check out the episode about made by ‪@mexicounexplained‬ :
• Edzná, Land of the Sev...
An interesting newspaper article about the site from 1984:
www.upi.com/Ar...
A brief academic article about the city’s significance as an astronomical observatory explaining in detail how it worked:
www.revistascis...
A bilingual book in English and Spanish written by the head archeologist who excavated the site, detailing the buildings at the site and the artifacts that were found there. Information about the obsidian trade with Teotihuacan in the chapter starting page 115:
archive.org/de...
Check out my Patreon!
/ pyramidreview

[@loveandbarley]

I will be shouting "THIS IS THE LAND OF GARTER SNAKES AND TICKS" from NY for today's eclipse. Loved the video.

[@willfriar8054]

this is the land of demon crap and zombie babies. New York's abortion capital of the world baby lives matter

[@mexicounexplained]

This was your best video yet. I like how you added all the personal touches throughout, and your narration is superb, as always. Thank you for the shout-out at the end! Much appreciated. Keep going.

[@pyramidreview8664]

Thank you! I really enjoyed your Edzna video as well. The city has such a long and interesting history that I didn’t goi to and I think it really complements this one, and encourage anyone reading this comment to look for the link in the description. Unfortunately not a great deal is known about Edzna from the early classic period when Teotihuacan was flourishing and invading the Maya, so it remains difficult to determine how that all fits in. But where’s the fun in an ancient city that doesn’t have any unsolved mysteries?

[@mexicounexplained]

@@pyramidreview8664 Yes, you're right about the unsolved mysteries!

[@sebastienbolduc5654]

Wow dude, the fact that you tried the obsidian thing blows my mind. I just experience the totality yesterday in my hometown. It was a heck of an awesome experience!

[@RavenStarrsEpicExplores]

That's really amazing viewing the eclipse through obsidian like that I would have never of thought of something like that 😅. I love learning about the ancient past, new subscriber!

[@sumaru_2324]

My dads side are from the Wixáaritari nation out of Nayarit, never knew about it & now have a picture of my great grandpa wearing his Mara'kame/shaman regalia holding his violin & a M1911 tucked in his waist. I didnt grow up around my indigenous family so i dont know much about their beliefs with the eclipse, but one thing i can say is that the Mayans are highly skilled in astronmy & such, really wish i could experienced it in Mexico, but i went to Russellville, Ar yesterday, total eclipse, so many thoughts of what the Mayan, Mexicas & other nations were thinking during an eclipse.. Appreciate the video btw, keep it up, new sub!

[@pyramidreview8664]

I have yet to visit that corner of Mexico myself but I have read about the Wixáaritari, and what a rich and interesting history they have! Your great grandpa sounds like a pretty cool guy. Hold on to that photo. Thank you for subscribing, I have a lot more interesting things to post!

[@motown7542]

I climbed to the top of the pyramid of the sun at Teotihuacan, in the year 2010. Fascinating presentation, thank you.

[@user-eq1cc4nt7h]

Hello there motown 💋

[@jimbobrobertson3285]

I did the same in 2008. Very cool

[@uncleg9363]

You’re awesome, that was an amazing experience you shared

[@dustybees6308]

I’ve been following the work of Luke Caverns for a while now. I just figured I’d look up the Maya and now you have come into my recommended feed. Will be following your work now too. Thank you for this.

[@alylyn119]

I love this so much and your teachings about Edzna … I would love to go there and what an experience. I’m so happy they were able to organize this and see the eclipse over the pyramids for the first time in 100 years.

[@angonsframes]

Yes !

[@MichaelShirley-nl5pe]

Pyramid Review, Your the Best!!!

[@user-dx4ht5nt9v]

Hey...BRUDER...Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing experience through your camera.....YOU DO REALLY CONVEY A WONDER FEELING. It's great that you know MAYA LANGUAGE.....YOU GOT A FORMER FOLLOWER......🇺🇸🇲🇽🇺🇸🇲🇽🇺🇸🇲🇽🇺🇸🇲🇽🇺🇸🤜🤛

[@pyramidreview8664]

Thank you!! 🤜🤛

[@JaNeDoE-001]

What a Timeless experience excellent video thank you for sharing

[@supersolitary420]

Dayuuumn that Apocalypto vibe!

[@marlontx]

Yes except it was much more cool in the Aztec empires and maya empires then the movie they played pre Hispanic music you should search it up and there were millions of people in the capitals especially in Tenochtitlán there were 2 to 8 million people and the cities looked amazing but many of the capitals destroyed like Tenochtitlán it was a floating city like Venice with gardens and paladas made with jade and gold as designed with Aztec art as well as some of the largest pyramids in the world that were destroyed and there were millions crowding and going on the pyramid in chaos some thought it was the sun falling down or disappearing some thought it was the gods doing it some thought it was a apocalypse and many either thought it was a message or sign or event from the gods and some thought it was very bad omen and they said it would kill the baby if pregnant and viewing the eclipse

[@marlontx]

They would play music and burn incense and act as if a war was going on and okay the death whistle

[@marlontx]

They would preform sacrifices to ask the gods for forgiveness and to give the sun back

[@Godsbest777]

my favorite movie...that was a crazy scene in that movie when the eclipse happened and they set Jaguar Paw free

[@supersolitary420]

@@marlontx whoah! thanks for sharing man

[@Sam97979]

that was beautiful. What a party! Today I observed 95% totality in my city using a shadowbox, and those special glasses. I hope to be able to afford travel to see the next eclipse and experience 100% totality. The Mayan culture is fascinating, they really did have a good thing going.

[@causeitsthere]

Navajo teachings tell us to go inside during solar eclipse. That self reflection and a rebirth is the key.

[@KevinVenturePhilippines]

I am in Farmington on the edge of the Navajo Rez and never heard that in my life. Interesting.

[@starchild7820]

​@KevinVenturePhilippines it will steal your souls energy, why you think it called SOUL LURE ECLIPSE. let that sink in

[@starchild7820]

​@@KevinVenturePhilippinescertain teachings YOU were not meant 2 know cause I see by your comment you wouldn't understand

[@KevinVenturePhilippines]

@@starchild7820 🤣🤣🤣 What a tool. Solar just means about the sun, it is not trying to "Lure" anything, this isn't the 15th century anymore Grandma. 🙄🤦‍♂️🤣

[@sharynhughes1061]

Amazing!!! Story!!! and History. Thankyou!!!

[@Henry_6161]

Thank you for your video, Its amazing to see the lanscape the pyramid right now... ❤ From Indonesia. ❤

[@mariposa5900]

Thank you for all the info, time, effort, travel, HEAT. !!!!! Explaining things !!!!! Great filming !!!! TERESA HAYWARD CALIFORNIA USA

[@jamesmd7581]

Another triumph, excellent video. Loved it! 👍🏻👊🏻

[@CenturyHomeProject]

This is beautiful and breathtaking!!! ❤️

[@TerenceTreeLowery808]

Well done Sir!! A unique experience to share with the world. Here in Hawaii on 4/8/2024 Thumbs up and subscribed!!

[@drigocrews]

Great video and appreciation of the Mayan

[@samuelarellano7846]

Maravilla. Thank you for sharing such a magnificent history and event

[@samanthanor332]

Thank you this is beautifully done .

[@Chemtrailsurfer]

Another excellent video, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience! 🦫

[@pyramidreview8664]

🙏🙏🙏

[@Mrodriguez231]

Thanks for making this video. Keep up the awesome work.

[@parksto]

Absolutely wonderful!

[@BakaTa1k]

I wanna Explore and see the world so badly, thank you for this video it's beautiful

[@peterbobby99]

Great video. Very informative and straight to the point.

[@fernandozome1750]

Thank you "Pyramid Review" Great and very interesting , many new things of the Pyramids I didnt knew.... Thank you Sir ! Great Job !

[@queentonantzin7993]

Excellent video, very informative 👍 Thank you!

[@charwest5892]

Great video man. You have upped your production value as well. I hope this video catches heat today. You deserve about 100k more subscribers. Thank you for creating this type of content, you are carrying the torch.

[@humboldthammer]

Thank you for sharng your experience.

[@texastalk86]

THANK YOU BROTHER. GREAT VIDEO SIR. GOD BLESS

[@RodrigoMera]

Great video, thanks for all the legit love for the ancient cultures of my country and for sharing it for the world to see.

[@pyramidreview8664]

Gracias! I think it is a beautiful part of human history and culture, and it is my pleasure to learn about it and to share it.

[@caesandraseawell1518]

Thank you so much for your travel and passion and for sharing this wonderful experience ❤

[@kodaxx7]

another great and informative video

[@FacesintheStone]

Wow 🤯 Great content, so glad you were able to share! ❤

[@Fido-vm9zi]

You are so intelligent & adventurous! Thank you for sharing!

[@ClaudioClarke-en9ju]

Killer vid! That bird photo bombed you! Lol! Thanks!

[@cryptoalchemist369]

love your work brother! it gets better and better! also stoked to see your channel grow! good for you mate! well done

[@cameronempey8350]

Very cool video man! Mexico is such an interesting place :) and its so close to us in the States :). I wish at one point in my life I can travel to one of these pyramids so cool!

[@JGoh762]

The amount of time you put into this is absurd dude the least I can do is like and subscribe keep up the content I’m here to stay can’t wait for the next solar eclipse

[@CrushEatRepeat]

This was incredibly fascinating. Thank you for your work!

[@miguelcastillo917]

incredible video, great work

[@treesoul00]

This is fascinating 😊 thanks 🖤

[@zemunboy]

Wow great video and stellar presentation. Thanks for posting.🎉

[@Opal_Spectrum]

great info ! thank you for sharing

[@veheeo720]

Happy New Year ! Simply Splendid THANK YOU ! yes, I will share...!!...💯👀🌹🌹🔥✨🎯💎🎩

[@andreyyeo2336]

What i like about Mayan civilization is that is a total Stone Age. Maya especially of Classical period did not know any metal, did not have any useful domestic animals to help them carry stuff, did not know a weel, did not know a sail, did not know even a bow. But they had writing, Math, astronomy, colossal buildings, unique art style. It's mind buggling, how same people could play soccer using somone's cut off head and write books on astronomy. Did Maya really exist?:) Anyway Maya clearly breaking the image of classical Stone Age people, who live in caves, go on quest for fire and hunt mamoths.

[@sovereigncosmicwildman]

Really enjoyed this

[@Charlie-phlezk]

Very smart to upload this when you did haha.

[@mariemorgan7759]

Fantastic video, very well researched information. Thanks for the upload, just subscribed. I am fascinated by the ancient native Americans.💕🙏

[@pyramidreview8664]

Thank you! There is much more to come

[@mariemorgan7759]

@@pyramidreview8664 Do you understand and speak Spanish? Hopefully you can make your way through all of the ancient ruins in central and South American.

[@pyramidreview8664]

@@mariemorgan7759 I can't speak as much as I can understand but I know enough to get around and to read academic articles, no problems so far!

[@mariemorgan7759]

@@pyramidreview8664 My parents left Cuba ,when I was three years old, to live in the USA. American English is my first language,my Spanish is at a second grade level. I wish I could speak Spanish at an intellectual level! Thank you for your reply, take care.🙏

When I saw what you saw at 2:50, yes, I completely agree with you 😅

[@Dovid2000]

Interesting history and well-articulated.

[@Spacemaaan]

this is the coolest thing ive ever seen. i wish i could have been there!!!

[@krono5el]

These are the true people of the Sun. they always known about the Cosmos and mathematics.

[@angelafeldman5903]

The shadow of the bird was crazy!😮

[@Nezferatu]

People watching your videos are gonna get the impression the peninsula is hot. Well, it is!! So water, shade, hat, sun block and limiting activity are super important. I love it! Edzna' is a wonder and now easily accessible using Tren Maya. Campeche (Kaanpeech or place of snakes and ticks) is a cool, historic place to stay nearby with some great food.

[@pyramidreview8664]

@@Nezferatu Both times I was at Edzna it was one of the hottest sites I've ever been to. Campeche is great though, quite a charming little town.

[@Cardistian]

This is an awesome video🤘😜👍 Though 1 of the tourists at the end of the video looked like they were surprised by all the cameras, especially yours lol. 16:45He hid his face from view as they quickly passed by your camera & put his hand to cover his face lol🫣

[@__1_800___]

amazing and informative video felt like i was there definitely earned a subscriber

[@Skystone123]

The obsidian information is new to me. I love finding it here on my beaches, Central coast CA. It's rare here because it was traded from the inland Indians by the coastal Indians. They made arrowheads and spear heads with it. I've found it in rough form smoothed out like sea glass, slightly pitted. For it to be used as a mirror is absolutely beautiful. Most arrowheads we find here are made from Chert.

[@pyramidreview8664]

Chert was also popular with the Maya, although just like obsidian they had to import it.

[@sandraescobar1042]

Wow , that’s amazing ❤❤❤

[@andregonzalez1496]

❤❤❤❤ Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏🙏 another great video .

[@glowormrdr6183]

Thank you so much for sharing this. You said NASA was present, but you totally scooped docu-channels like Nat Geo, Discovery, etc! All of us unable to travel, but who appreciate glimpses of world wonders, owe you. Plus, being of Mexican descent I love to feel even a distant connection to my ancestry. The heat would have knocked me out, though. 🥵

[@pyramidreview8664]

Thank you very much! It brings me joy not only to see these things myself but also to be able to share them with others. And you're in luck because I have many more videos from Mexico. Enjoy!

[@ziasquinn]

Really great video!

[@chelosmexiko6836]

Wow. I've been in Tikal, Guatemala that day and it was calm. Even though it is Guatemalas most known archeological site. Of course, we observed the eclipse more partially ðown south. Saludos

[@ejbbur4673]

l got to see a solar Eclipse in the UK in 1999. l was by the sea on a hill top. It was like some thing out of Close encounters of the third kind. So amazing

[@panzerswineflu]

Very interesting unique features. I'll be looking forward to the travel tip videos and hit you up if I somehow get to make a trip. Would love to do Mexico down into Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador or vice versa

[@occultexaminer]

Thank you for this wonderful video!

[@Noctural-Notions]

Excellent video.

[@yateleyhypnotherapy2111]

I was wondering last night if it is just this eclipse or if every full eclipse it begins over the ancient civilisations. Is that why they built their great cities there? What an incredible thing to go an celebrate there. Thank you for this! It’s beautiful.

[@pyramidreview8664]

I'm no astronomer but I believe they happen more or less evenly across the earth. The scientists at NASA have calculated the locations of all the eclipses of the past 5000 years and made the maps publicly available, and it is definitely interesting to analyze them and wonder what people in ancient times thought about the experience. eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEcat5/SE-0399--0300.html

[@Cisco3Pancho]

Awesome video

[@pyramidreview8664]

@@Cisco3Pancho Thank you for enjoying it

[@Iamtherodlight1453.]

So awesome thank you bud.

[@DaisyAmay]

Wow. Thank you!

[@ArtBellJr]

I love how you made this video on the Eclipse of October 2023 and here we are having another eclipse April 8th 2024 and the video drops. Great timing and such a great experience for all to see. What is your other channel,Ive seen it before but can not find it?

[@pyramidreview8664]

Oh well I did have another one before when I wasn't very serious about doing this yet, but I took it down when I made this one. I am a bit at a loss for what to do with my older material... Now that I've gotten better at filming and editing the ones from a few years ago seem a bit too amateurish to upload on here.

[@spiritualawakeningofconsci623]

Amazing

[@AlvinDRamirez]

Awesome experience.

[@prolificseeker4778]

Great video really enjoyed it

[@bobhope4949]

I got some pictures of the one yesterday, it was really cloudy and it looked blue then ya couldn’t see it when it got real dark

[@braxxx4418]

This is awsome

[@amytamez]

What!? I live in Mexico in Hidalgo ! Very near to Teotihuacán and I have an obsidian mirror! But yesterday I decided to remain inside my house and as a matter of fact I took a shower during the eclipse 😅 Que tonta!!! I could use the obsidian mirror! If you ever need any help here in Mexico count on me.

[@pyramidreview8664]

Oh, very nice! My obsidian knife is from Hidalgo. I need to re-edit and upload my video from Tula. Gracias!

[@amytamez]

@@pyramidreview8664 gracias a ti! I am Mexican but not very much in contact with my roots 😕 I just see my obsidian mirror and it has golden and I tried to take a pic with it now and nope I couldn’t may be it has to be pure obsidian and black completely, because the pics where yellowish, I received it as a gift from one of my cousins but I like to find your channel it is nice to see someone who really appreciates Mexico. About your knife… I haven’t seen one in my life 😅 Anyways new subscriber here🤓 bendiciones!

[@FROGG-C2OEmiamp.]

Ningishzida/Thoth aka Quetzalcoatl-Kulkuan would be proud.

[@spiritualawakeningofconsci623]

I watched in some internet site's that around 1000 mayan codex😂were found in an old antiques store in some little city in Europe

[@lpfx777]

I’ve been there❤ nice video.

[@dctriathlon2012]

Thank you amazing

[@abelpazos51]

6:45 The way you muted the bird and then proceeded to say it sounded crazy. We have to hear it! 😭

[@pyramidreview8664]

I actually turned up the volume a little for that part. The microphone didn’t pick it up very well, but it was a big WHOOSH right over my head. I thought it was an airplane at first. I think they were vultures.

[@pengloke762]

Thanks , i got the experience from another timeline also a pyramid to sun god Kinich Ahau

[@tikiweshe]

... you've gone mad, mad I tell ya! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@JennaFerrari]

Was that a total eclipse? One pic the sun looks blocked out. The obsidian glass looked observational doesn’t look like a total solar eclipse but passing across it. Do you have a full video thru obsidian glass?

[@pyramidreview8664]

It was a solar eclipse but an annular or "ring of fire" eclipse, so not as dramatic as a total eclipse. I have a few more clips that are pretty similar. Unfortunately it was very tricky to hold both the camera and the lens, and operate the camera, while both the camera and me were overheating, so these are the clearest shots I got.

[@blazingstar9638]

Woah neat

[@E.K.2424]

Have you got any info on mayan Calendar Dec 21 2012 end of age date?

[@lunam7249]

mexican singer jenni rivera was sacrificed, end of the great "4th sun" we are now in the "5th sun" cycle of the aztec religion

[@Angie-pl3uw]

@@lunam7249ridiculous. There is no human sacrifice in Mexico.

[@jacobshexladder]

EPIC

[@royhi1809]

How much was the entrance fee? That was a beautiful show. Do they do it weekly?

[@pyramidreview8664]

The entrance fee was the standard cost to enter the sire I think, so around 90 pesos, about $5. The next time there will a similar ceremony at a pyramid in the Yucatán will be in the year 2071.

[@royhi1809]

​@@pyramidreview8664 ...So I missed it, huh? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@LeadingIndicator]

Name of the performers: Los Tigers del Norte

[@CaesarSneezy]

hmmm

[@rodolfocuevas427]

Every time I see eclipse I think about the apocalypto movie

[@dragonballz2889]

love the video great job.....need to rectify something.....didnt the mayan calender ended in 2012? sooo.................?????

[@pyramidreview8664]

No, not at all. Their calendar is extremely complicated but the easiest comparison is that 2012 was more like Y2K or new year's eve, it was just a date when the numbers rolled over. But it definitely was not the end of anything, and it goes on

[@treesoul00]

2:49 omg it’s me

[@onekewlbraddah8460]

@00:26 I saw this in Apocalypto

[@craigmiller4528]

I thought obsidian mirrors began with the Zapotecs Quien sabes ? But you got me thinking, can the mirror be used to send a signal between city say city pyramid platforms ?

[@pyramidreview8664]

I am not sure where they originated, but there was obsidian throughout mesoamerica and it was widely traded, so it spread around. Pyrite mirrors were also quite popular in the Yucatán as well as central Mexico. As for communicating, hmm… Try to reflect the sun on a watch or a cellphone screen and bounce it to a specific point, it is pretty tricky! I guess it’s not impossible, but doing it over such a distance with any accuracy would be extremely difficult.

[@craigmiller4528]

@@pyramidreview8664 that's THAT !

[@craigmiller4528]

@@pyramidreview8664 Yeah, Zapotec - Pyrite Mirros !

[@treesoul00]

@@pyramidreview8664that’s so cool you filmed it through obsidian. I’ve been carrying around an obsidian sun and I didn’t even know why lol this is great. It’s too cloudy where I am to use it for sunglasses so that was really cool to see your capture of it. Looks like it was hard to do too.

[@pyramidreview8664]

@@treesoul00 Yes! It was very tricky, I had to move it around in front of the camera while adjusting the settings, while holding it directly between me and the eclipse so that the shade would protect my eyes. And all that with sweaty palms. That's why the shots are kinda blurry.