Ep 6. Mystery of the American Maya

In the sixth episode of the first season of Unexplained and Unexplored, the team sets out to untangle the enigma surrounding the "American Maya." They embark on a journey to investigate whether or not the mysterious Maya civilization had a foothold in America.

Beginning their quest in the Yucatan region of Mexico, the team explores the ruins of the ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza. There, they examine the iconic pyramid, known as El Castillo, which is believed to have astronomical significance. The team infers that the pyramid’s construction was calculated to align with specific celestial events.

Next, they travel to the legendary ruins of Uxmal, where they uncover a pyramid that they believe has the same link to the stars as El Castillo. The team then heads to Toledo, Ohio, where they visit a temple built in the 1890s with what appears to be Maya influences, such as hieroglyphics and a stargazing observatory.

The team investigates other sites in Ohio to understand the potential connection to the Maya civilization. They study the works of Sophia True, an enigmatic woman from Cleveland who may have believed in reincarnation and claimed that she was the reincarnation of an ancient Mayan priestess.

The team also researches the work of William R. Coe, a Cleveland businessman who dug for artifacts in the Chiapas region of Mexico and believed that he discovered the remnants of an ancient Maya civilization. His findings were met with skepticism in his time, but there was mounting circumstantial evidence that some form of the Maya civilization continued into the American Southwest.

Finally, the team heads to the ruins of "Casa Grande" in Arizona, where they uncover a structure that is linked to the Maya. The site had a ball court, which was similar to the ones found in the ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan. The team postulates that a civilization that went by the name of “Archaic Maya” may have settled in the area.

Through their findings, the team questions if the Maya civilization had an influence on and left a lasting legacy in what is now America. The team infers that it is plausible they inhabited the region where they left behind clues within the local architecture. But, to know the full story, requires more investigations and research to ensure assumptions are not being made without proper consideration.

Overall, this episode of Unexplained and Unexplored takes the viewer on a fascinating exploration of the Maya civilization and its potential influence on American society.