Mayan inscriptions name him as the the founder and first ruler of the pre-Columbian Mayan society, ruling from 426 to 437 AD. He was also a traveller and a sportsman.
The vessels in his tomb describe a life with a lot of international contacts including the highlands of Mexico -- which must have been quite a journey in those days. Not only that, scientists analyzed his teeth and discovered that at a young age he lived at Tikal in northern Guatamala.
He also had a number of severe arm, breast bone and shoulder fractures from ball court matches and battles. The drawing is an artistic rendering based on his skull ( in the photos below).
The director of the museum (below) is a Mayan in his early 20s. He's agreed to be my guide to a bird sanctuary, coffee plantation and the Mayan ruins. His principle job is guide of the ruins and museum director. Londin visited Toronto several years ago along with 100 other young Mayans.
This city is incredibly hilly. Not quite as mountainous as Nelson, but not far off. It would be better exercise if you could climb fast. But the streets are stumbling specials and you practically lose your teeth in the three wheeled taxi bugs that hurtle at incredible speed making you leap to the narrow sidewalk when one comes at you.
Jumped out of this guy's way just in time.
View from a restaurant terrace.
Today was a four layer day. I wish I'd brought my long underwear. It's supposed to be hot, hot now and I hardly came prepared for this frigid air and classes outdoors. Geez. If it doesn't kill me, I'll get tough.
Falafels in Copan.
See you tomorrow. Saludos.
No comments:
Post a Comment