(Lifted from Beam Me Up)Archaeologists have discovered a labyrinth of tunnels/caves with Mayan pyramids and stone temples inside. Why is this cool? Because it just is. This is a major discovery that teaches us more about this mysterious lost culture. Here's a quote:
The discovery has experts wondering whether Maya legend inspired the construction of the underground complex—or vice versa.If you're curious and want more, head on over to National Geographic.
According to Maya myth, the souls of the dead had to follow a dog with night vision on a horrific and watery path and endure myriad challenges before they could rest in the afterlife.
"We have this pattern now of finding temples close to the water—or under the water, in this most recent case," said Guillermo de Anda, lead investigator at the research sites.
"These were probably made as part of a very elaborate ritual," de Anda said. "Everything is related to death, life, and human sacrifice."
(Don't click the read more, there isn't any more after this!)
Nice find; too bad the photo with the National geographic article isn't too compelling. Still, this is the sort of thing that I have my virtual scrapbook for, it's going straight in.
ReplyDeleteI expect that NG either did a really in-depth article on it in their recent issue, or we can expect more on it in the scientific community soon. I'd like to learn more. Very fascinating. The thing that gets me is just how complex all these cultures were in a time when our ancestors (or someone's ancestors) only saw people in loin clothes with spears...
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