Secrets of Archaeology Season 1 Episode 11 The Lost Cities Of The Maya

In the eleventh episode of season one of Secrets of Archaeology, titled The Lost Cities Of The Maya, viewers are taken on a journey to explore the civilization of the ancient Maya people. Through careful examination of their remarkable architecture, advanced agriculture, and complex hieroglyphic writing system, experts shed light on what remains one of history's most present mysteries.

The episode begins by providing a brief overview of the rise and fall of the Maya civilization, which spanned from 250 AD to 900 AD in what is now Central America. While the Maya are known for their towering temples and pyramids, their society was much more complex than just monumental structures. They developed a highly sophisticated agriculture system that allowed them to sustain large populations and create surplus food stores, which contributed to their cultural and artistic innovation.

The episode then delves into the various factors that led to the collapse of the Maya civilization. Climate change and ecological degradation, war and conflict, and political instability all may have played a role in the collapse. Furthermore, the collapse itself was not uniform across all Maya sites; some persisted for centuries after others were abandoned.

Experts then explain how they determine the age and significance of various Maya sites through radiocarbon dating, stratigraphy, and other methods. They introduce several important ancient Maya cities, including Palenque, Tikal, and Chichen Itza, and describe how these sites reveal the Maya's engineering and architectural prowess. From monumental pyramids to intricate hieroglyphic writing, it's clear that the ancient Maya created a civilization that was far ahead of its time.

The episode also discusses Maya myths and legends and how these stories provide insight into the Maya's religious and spiritual beliefs. The notion of a cyclical nature of time was central to their worldview, and much of their art and architecture was created to represent the shifting cycles of the universe.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the episode is the exploration of "lost" Maya cities, including El Mirador and Calakmul. These sites were hidden in dense jungle for centuries, and it wasn't until the advent of technology like lidar (laser imaging detection and ranging) that they were discovered. Experts describe how the use of this technology has revealed sprawling cities and impressive architectural feats, such as causeways and multiple-story buildings.

Finally, the episode concludes by discussing how the Maya continue to leave their mark on modern-day culture. From their continuing influence on Mayan-speaking communities in Central America to the legacy of their advanced knowledge of astronomy, the Maya civilization is still very much alive and relevant today.

Overall, The Lost Cities Of The Maya is an intriguing and informative episode that sheds light on one of the world's most fascinating civilizations. Through careful analysis of their architecture, agriculture, writing system, and religious beliefs, experts reveal just how advanced and complex the Maya were, and how their legacy continues to influence the world today.