The Entire History of Ek Balam - Ancient America Documentary

- Check out my other channel History Time for full-length documentaries:-
/ historytime
- Follow me on Instagram for travel stories:-
/ petekellywriter
- Become a patron for as little as a dollar a month & help keep this channel going:-
/ historytimeuk
- History Time is now a podcast. You can find us wherever you get your podcasts from.
-Join the History Time community:-
Twitter:-
/ historytimeuk
Facebook:-
/ historytimeofficial
Instagram:-
/ historytime_ig
- Music courtesy of:-
- Epidemic Sound
- Joss Gallanagh-Edwards:-
/ jgemusic
jgemusic.com
- Brodie Marshall:-
open.spotify.com/artist/0Q7hB...
/ user-516251154
Instagram: / brodiemarshallmusic
- For audio needs Hamish Dickinson is your guy:-
www.phoenixsoundstudio.co.uk
I've compiled a reading list of my favourite history books via the Amazon influencer program. If you do choose to purchase any of these incredible sources of information then Amazon will send me a tiny fraction of the earnings (as long as you do it through the link) (this means more and better content in the future) I'll keep adding to and updating the list as time goes on:-
www.amazon.com/shop/historytime
I try to use copyright free images at all times. However if I have used any of your artwork or maps then please don't hesitate to contact me and I’ll be more than happy to give the appropriate credit.

[@PeteKellyHistory]

Hi guys. First in a new series here. Many more vids to come on the Mayans of Central America! One of my personal favourite historical areas. Have you visited any of these incredible sites? Which were your favourites?

[@deepquake9]

I live in Guatemala and have the wonderful opportunity to visit many ancient sites. Jungle treks and volcano scaling.

[@iansmith7430]

You are the man Sir. History Channel should borrow a page from your book. I've been there and you are spot on. Congrats to you and your work. Can't wait for more videos.

[@matthewsutton3682]

Been to Ek Balam, Coba, Uxmal, Chichen Itzá, Muyil, Tulum, and there might have been others I can't recall. Uxmal and Ek Balam were definitely my favorites. I never made it down into Belize-Guatemala-Honduras and so I've never seen Tikal or Caracol.

[@massilapatten4069]

@@deepquake9 when you visit those ancient sites. just do some regular slow & deep breathing; relax your whole body & sit somewhere where you 《 feel you prefer to be》. Let your Feelings FLOW, while keeping an AWARENESS of the place where you actually are. Let go of imagination. Note what COMES to your MIND & any SUBSEQUENT DREAMS.

[@Bryptolb562]

I've been to tulum, uxmal, coba, chichen itza, dzibilchaltun, I loved all the sites I was very fascinated with them all!

[@AisforAtheist]

I've been having mental health issues that keep me in or near my house for the past 13 yrs. I found your channel a little over a year ago and it's been one of my happy places ever since. Thank you for all the hard work you put in to making these videos to bring all of us along for the ride.

[@laetitialogan2017]

Its really outstanding content for sure..

[@FacesintheStone]

Sending good vibes your way.

[@KatieB33]

I agree, I get to live vicariously through KZbinrs to help with my mental health.

[@MARGATEorcMAULER]

His narrative style is very calming

[@kumstuke]

Hey, not sure if that would be your cup of tea but I also highly recommend checking Dan Davis channel as well! Wish you all the best kzbin.info

[@vera6587]

For someone permanently locked up at hope due to shitty health, these videos are pure gold. Thank you for taking me on these travels and let me experience some of the world's fantastic locations from home

[@mercysi2636]

Hope you’re better

[@adyseven1]

Amazing in every department. Congratulations on a magnificent production. I particularly appreciated the continuous name and date captions as I find they are a remarkably helpful aid in memorising data. From Ireland 🇮🇪

[@Greggy0]

By far one of the top history content creator on YT.

[@jamesarmstrong5721]

Recently visited Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba, and Ek Balam. Without a doubt, Ek Balam was the best. Chichen Itza is a must see, but Ek Balam is so impressive, not too crowded, and you can climb to the top of most buildings including the acropolis. It was absolutely amazing!! They are just beginning recovery of the 2 other great buildings. Can't wait to go back in 10-15 years to see the rest.

[@prehd]

I as well did all of those in 2019 and agree that Ek Balam was the most impressive. The remoteness of it really feels like a true lost city.

[@JessicaNobles83]

Hi, I'm so happy I found your channel! I've been obsessed with Ancient Mexico and especially the Mayans for many years now! I've gone to the Yucatan twice in the past 4 years and find it absolutely amazing! Hoping to go to Belize and explore Mayan ruins there as well. I love when I can find good documentaries like these! Thank you so much for all the hard work and for sharing your content with us!

[@YenkammaNe]

Totoise worship by ancient Mayans is a close parallel to Kurma Avatar of Lord Vishnu .. Snakes and Tortoises are found in alomost all Mayan temples - Ekbalam ,Uxmal, Kabah, Tulum... may be many more .. all Anicent Native Americans (Mayans, Aztecs, Incas,...etc) and Asian Hindus are CONNECTED by Divinity, faith and spirit, religion, knowledge of Math, geometry, Temple architectures.. eating rice, vegetables.. since BC times..

[@casadelosotte]

I have been living in the Yucatan since 2012, and have seen most sites. Ek Balam being my favorite so far. Thank you for this very nice documentary.

[@brassteeth3355]

It's so nice to hear your voice, Pete. This is what we need. Thanks

[@danmcmurry1203]

I like your presentations a lot. Helps me fill in the blanks of my journeys to Yucatan. I lived on and off in Yucatan, 1978-1980 and again 1997-2006. The difference in the work being there is inspiring, seeing the differences in a matter of years. I am really jazzed about the Lidar technology being used now. More will be revealed to us, keep up the good work. I trust I will get more understanding of the Maya marvel. Truly an epic civilization. A pity de Landa burned the Mayan books.

[@shelleyreid680]

Pete, good to see you back. Great video! Thank you for the impressive work you put into your presentations. I always enjoy them and this one was an absolute gem.

[@paulapridy6804]

Your channel has been totally worth watching these past few years, but Oh man....this was a dream mission for history. I will watch it more than once😁

[@mariafarrugia1192]

Thanks Pete Kelly for letting us come on your journeys..PLEASE REALISE THAT FOR SOME OF US, YOU ARE A BIG HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY..THANKYOU

[@JonnoPlays]

Impeccable presentation. This should be on television 📺

[@sarah-fu6et]

nah they will spoil it with adverts Pete is fine the way he is.

[@donnieboughton1730]

This story has been on TV many times...

[@RigiLiquid945]

Fascinating! I am glad that I had the opportunity to visit the Yucatan twice to see the pyramids and swim in the cenotes.

[@adamlongshadow]

Nice one Pete! Thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm here right now

[@chronics3311]

Another amazing video , nice work brother thank you

[@bigbensarrowheadchannel2739]

More ancient America vids Pete. This was fantastic.

[@PhoenixLyon]

Thanks, Pete! Always enjoy your work. ✌️😸

[@skyedog24]

Thank you Mr Kelly I'm glad to see you back from your trip safe and sound

[@leeatkinson1582]

I've been salivating waiting for this premier 😍

[@ksholar1]

Serious work , respect the academic effort.

[@tracymcgeachie7525]

Back for my second chunk. Really enjoying it appreciate your excellent work. One of my favourite channels. 😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@umbertocastillo3528]

Love all your video Pete...Good job mate.....

[@rockweiler777]

Right on, sir! I commend you on your journeys, and thank you for sharing it with the world. Cheers!

[@gutplucker]

Great stuff Peter!

[@anerollopez8145]

Amazing job!! I really liked the way is narrated it. 👍👍

[@manfredbartels4124]

I was there 2 months ago. I liked it because there is no mass tourism.

[@DillTheDog]

Fascinating video 👏👏can’t wait till the next one 😎🇬🇧😎👍

[@vincentblackshadow1581]

I was there many years ago not long after it was first opened to the public. The friezes and the doorway are incredible to see in person and if you can use your imagination to recreate the colors as all the stucco would have been brightly painted with blues and reds and etc. There are nearly free almost life size sculptures above the doorway. The doorway has been recreated at the archeological museum in Mexico city. Ek is mayan for star and Balam means jaguar. Ek Balam translates to Star Jaguar.

[@robertcraig4704]

i've seen this with Itchy Boots,,super awesome

[@yurpab2605]

Thankyou for your honesty in our collective history

[@TexRenner]

I love that backwards footage trotting up the pyramid!

[@samjam2376]

I've been to Chichen Itza and Tulum. Would love to go back.

[@riobella6846]

I have been on ek balam last year.... It is the most amazing experience. ❤❤❤ Loved it. Would love to go again with a tour that alows more time to spend ok n the site. The best part is that is not restricted area, you can climbe it and touch it.

[@anasevi9456]

Great to see you back,. love your videos! Also I hope a lot of people at least watch the intro. One of the biggest falsehoods I see thrown around is that the Mayan stopped building and living in cities after the classic collapse, you are lucky if they even know that Chichen Itza highly post classic. Let alone that the Spanish Conquest of the Maya ended with a city siege deep into the 17th century! I am not talking the decline in urbanisation, I've had arguments with people who claim without exception; _'the Mayan melted back into the forest to the last and they didnt even know what cities were when the spanish found them.'_ 🤪 Which isn't even true for forest Maya who still kept history close to their chest.

[@MeganMcCune]

I'm currently staying in a hut next to ek balam. Going to the grounds tomorrow! Can't believe I can see the pyramid from the front door! Stunning and magical. 🙏

[@urDumbDummy]

Impressive. Hope to visit these places one day as well!

[@dhm304100]

A very interesting documentary! I like stories about the people!

[@DrJeckyllJunior]

Thank you!

[@Cliffwalkerrockhounding]

Thank you for this brother! I leave for central America in one month. Love your work so much.

[@donnieboughton1730]

Mexico isn't central America...

[@TheseHomeMoviesOfMine]

Fascinating.

[@veronicalogotheti5416]

Thank you very much

[@emmabethlearn7575]

Thank you for all your hard work, creativity and enthusiasm. Each video I watch is like a beautiful poem. Not just the facts and footwork but the merge and mix of landscape imagery, music and vocal narrative. Your work is inspiring. Should you find time some day you might like to check out Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty in Utah and checkout his work re: Palenque etc. I think of him, his work, as I watch your videos. Please continue with your art works of history.

[@patrickmccoll2499]

Welcome back, now I need my fix of free knowledge......thank you PETE

[@Hrisut]

Muy buen documental sobre una poco conocida ciudad Maya

[@theneurologist1]

Yet ANOTHER absolutely amazing learning experience!! Thank you so much! 😁👍🏻 Between the video yesterday, and now this one today, my hunger for knowledge will finally be satiated!!

[@glixylpoussin]

my family was enchanted by EK’ BALAM when we visited in 2014. being able to scale the structures was amazing

[@kiagra4637]

Yassss thank you ❤️

[@voidgeometry794]

Thank you.

[@skepticalbadger]

Great video - Ek Balam is fantastic. What Santa Muerte statue is that at 12:36?

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Thank you for sharing. Excellent coverage, so expansive. QUESTION: Have you considered volunteering at an excavation site? Maybe you'd eventually have access to film when it's closed. If you explain what you do as a documentary/photographer, maybe they'd even hire you to photograph the site after seeing some of your work. Imagine the opportunity to work alongside the primary archaeologist - having full access to a site. I'm sure you hate the necessary ropes as much as I do. Unfortunately, some tourists feel the need to leave unwelcome evidence of their presence.

[@massilapatten4069]

Great suggestion. Not a coincidence that you are making such a VALUABLE comment. Unless he prefers to be as such : SHARING with Others as he is doing.

[@SimonSozzi7258]

"Late Yumcab ceramic complex"... I'm having a really hard time finding this. I would love to read more about it. Just downloaded a PDF on Ek' Balam.

[@katmannsson]

I... Dont know how I wasnt Subbed to you here or on HT but I am now. Error rectified.

[@kenkruzel5455]

So we'll put together.. thank you

[@mikesosa2275]

Beautiful place, the "angels" of Ek Balam I find very intriguin.

[@j.kristineemmons]

Geographically, it's interesting how Europeans often hate on Americans for our lack of travel. Yet, for what is Pete's "trip of a lifetime", is so casual for us, being in our backyards. They forget how connected (literally) they are to other countries and cultures over such a small distance, compared to the vast United States, for example, and what it takes for us to see something outside of what we know.

[@ENDER1477]

What's inside Ek Balam. I can't find pictures anywhere. Of course they wouldn't let me inside. There has to be pictures somewhere.

[@michielderuyter6011]

3:06 10.000 plus years

[@sylviaalambar9350]

What a treasure of a film, but those pop up ads are annoying!!

[@marcbernard1744]

Hells to the yeah!!!

[@laetitialogan2017]

You are spoiling us..

[@Sirmenonottwo]

There is a surprising amount of large scale development in an area that is smaller than italy. It make me imagine that the tribe or tribes that migrated into the area were already powerful but it seem like they might have gotten lost and just given up once they realized it was a dead end. But it was they maya so it was a deeply spiritual decision, lots of human sacrifice. So it makes sense that the ruler with the deformed jaw was seen as a god king since he was going around being great. All that being said, It is kind of crazy that if it wasn't for diseases the maya would not have been so easily defeated by the spaniards so there is a chance that we will never know much more about these people.

[@donnieboughton1730]

Spanish had guns, cannons, and horses... they would have won under any circumstances

[@daniellesapino]

More excitement

[@FacesintheStone]

🎉

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Next I enjoy _Voices of the Past._

[@ivaxnog6157]

Richard D Hansen at El Mirador

[@stuartgraca]

Are the majority of technological early civilizations based around the equator ?

[@kkupsky6321]

He didn’t even pack a Sutton Hoo helmet…. I mean. Comon.

[@gunterbecker8528]

What turbulent centuries it must have been

[@aluna116]

Hi, I cannot help wondering how the Spanish would travel to find these cities in the jungle let alone conquer the inhabitants. Yet the civilisation clearly did end around the same time, what do you think happened please?

[@casebarreoltt5990]

Conquistadores didn't fight alone, they would find various tribes who were oppressed by the biggest tribes and create an insurgency with them. But this leads to more questions. How were these conquistadores so familiar with the lay of the land and languages to carry off such a feat, over and over, across (almost) the entire "New World"? Wouldn't that kind of recconaissance, diplomacy and logistics take many years and way more boats than the flotillas we learn about in history class?

[@casebarreoltt5990]

Funny how similar Balam sounds to certain figures in the Torah

[@skepticalbadger]

Not really. Mere coincidence.

[@jonathanmcniel6483]

I don't see a subscription button? Strange?

[@gineraugustocalderonperez8004]

Greetings, a small clarification, Mexico is not in Central America

[@PeteKellyHistory]

The Yucatan is in Central America

[@gineraugustocalderonperez8004]

@@PeteKellyHistory yucatan is mexico nort america

[@JimmyGarcia-hh2og]

​@@gineraugustocalderonperez8004 MEXICO is in north America!!.

[@JimmyGarcia-hh2og]

​@@PeteKellyHistory North and central America!! North meaning MEXICO 🇲🇽.

[@beepboop204]

🙂

[@illumencouk]

@05:27 we see old weathered wooden structures holding up thatched roofing and forming makeshift handrails. @5:38 - 5:50 we see what looks like brand new temples to the jaguar and rain gods. Wood ages much quicker than stone but these look so much older than the stone that it looks odd.

[@skepticalbadger]

They're not old. They were erected circa 2000 to protect the vulnerable stucco decoration.

[@AntzLoks1314]

El_Choctaw_lord_de_MexicoAztlanCalifas

[@christianwitness]

" aquating in the ruins" come on...

[@dumbassintelligenceagency]

LFG

[@TeethToothman]

🦐🍯🦐

[@donnieboughton1730]

Did yall not learn about the Mayan empire and its Spanish conquest in grade school?

[@AntzLoks1314]

Antz-that-walks-in-sky

[@AntzLoks1314]

Antz-that-crawls-on-the-ground

[@raddadray7535]

The true treasure of the Mayan world is the natural one.

[@cheeseburgero1]

neolithic cavemen

[@lewis7315]

The ancient Phoenicians certainly traded with the Mayan's ancestors... A late Roman era shipwreck was found on the Mexican coast in 1720 with Roman jugs, coins etc... My hometown has the "Bourne stone" with punic writing claming Cape Cod for king Hanno of Carthage!!! Some of the Canadian natives writing is the informal Egyptian script...

[@PeteKellyHistory]

No they didn’t. Every single archaeologist in the world disagrees sigh you.

[@lewis7315]

@@PeteKellyHistory It was obvious to the early settlers that the early Europeans had been there long before them. This was accepted by everyone... After all, the signs were all around them... Pagan Punic temples & Punic inscription throughout the East,. Then around 1900 the Elite rewrote the history books to tell their narrative, which was a deliberate lie...

[@orice3692]

What you took about here ancient america😂😂😂😂….never existed such a thing

[@michielderuyter6011]

😡 adds😢

[@Jet_Rod_94]

Ooohh black betty, ek balam...

[@sergebaron9086]

Please keep the British out if not artifact will be missing .

[@kumstuke]

Jog on mate

[@PeteKellyHistory]

😂 not all Brits… some maybe …

[@shelaakaumi]

Ancient America? LOL.

[@PeriodDrama]

Why is that funny?

[@JimmyGarcia-hh2og]

What do you mean???

[@juansanchez5001]

U need to check out Copan and Caracol it will be life changing, I Speak from experience.

[@PeteKellyHistory]

I have

[@juansanchez5001]

@@PeteKellyHistory how to admit two of my favorites

[@juansanchez5001]

@@PeteKellyHistory Native Americans.... An incredible people like my self... I'm glad you enjoyed my lands.

[@Oreo-xc9sd]

Please Pete, Stop saying, just like National Geographic and The Smithsonian: Mayans of Central America! That is a Falacy. Mayans are native of the Peninsula of Yucatán in México, and Yucatán is not in Central America nor is Central America! I suggest you to take a course in Geography, Paleontology and Arqueology. The Mayans of Yucatán were the pioneers and the creators of all their Culture and their Developmet but in The Yucatán Peninsula, of course, followed and learned from their OLMEC neighbors. When the Mayans expanded to the jungles of Central América they brought with them their already great developed Civilization from Yucatán.

[@PeteKellyHistory]

No no no no. The Maya developed independently in the highlands and lowlands of Guatemala. The very definition of Central America. Yucatan was actually later, and never quite as prosperous. Even the influence of the Olmecs is now questioned by many archaeologists who see the early pre classic Maya as just as influential. I’ve been researching the subject intensely for years so feel free to come at me with any more incorrect ideas you may have.

[@Oreo-xc9sd]

@@PeteKellyHistory Yes, yes, yes, they, the mayas did not developed by themselves. They copied and pasted from the Olmecs. Maya writing, their umbers including Zero, God and governors names are the same of the Olmecs. You probably are Guatemalan or one of those Fanatic Mayans that have Godized and idolized Mayans? Yes you are, or how much donations have the Guatemalan government, Soros, Guatemala Museum Dept. National Geographic or Smithsonian Museum are givinig to you to mislead the truth? Archaeology will ask you for prove, facts and your Knowledge in science, history , geopolitics, antro- arqueology and how much objectivity there is within yourself, in order to take you seriously now days with so much technology, new information and more ethical historian and aqueologists. I recommend you to read the last Lidar mayan discoveries in Tabasco, México or If not, soon you will say that Olmecs, Teotihuacans, Toltec, Aztecs including Incas are from that piece of land - Guatemala - which for many centuries belonged to the New Spain now México. The good news is that we already know how Mayan fantics like you think. You sound more like an ignorant, naive and narrow minded Guatemalan common man.

[@Dusty_Den]

​@PeteKellyHistory you are so funny 😆 loving the clap backs

[@Oreo-xc9sd]

Pete, Checkbout a book of Geography and you will find out that Mexico is not nor is Central America. The Mayans are Native of Yucatán and Yucatán is not in Central America. All those Central American countries benefited from Maya Culture due to the fact that Maya land is near Central America. The Mayans expanded to Central American jungles, bringing with them their already learned at home - Yucatan, their knowledge and development to Central America, but the Mayans are not theirs. Why is never said Mesopotamia learned from the Egyptians? Because that would not be true, on the contrary, it was all the way around.

[@PeteKellyHistory]

Absolutely bonkers to say Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador aren’t in Central America. They are the very definition of Central American counties. And they are where the Maya originated in the 2nd millennium BC at sites like Kaminajuyu and El Mirador in the pre classic and then thrived for thousands of years at places like Copan, Tikal and Caracol. Some of the biggest of all Mayan cities. and still today Guatemala for example is mostly Mayan in ethnicity.