Chichen Itza Sites:
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/chichen-itza/
http://www.mysteriousplaces.com/mayan/TourEntrance.html
http://www.tourbymexico.com/yucatan/chichen/chichen.htm
http://www.differentworld.com/mexico/areas/yucatan-and-campeche/chichen-itza/guide.htm
Palenque Sites:
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/palenque/?source=A-to-Z
http://www.mesoweb.com/palenque/resources/index.html
http://www.criscenzo.com/jaguarsun/palenque.html
My travels through the Yucatan Peninsula were absolutely breathtaking. From the jungle to the rolling hills to the pyramids of Chichen Itza, I was overwhelmed with a sense of history and natural and architectural beauty. After visiting the colonial city of Merida, I traveled to Chichen Itza to see El Castillo, which has been honored as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Many mysteries of the Maya astronomical calendar have been made clear through observation and analysis of the time temples at Chichen Itza. At the vernal and autumnal equinoxes (March 20-21 and September 21-22), the morning and afternoon sun produces a light-and-shadow illusion of the serpent ascending or descending the side of El Castillo’s staircase.
Many archaeologists agree that the first major settlement at Chichen Itza was pure Maya, however, for reasons unknown, the city was abandoned in the 9th century. Chichen Itza was resettled in the late 10th century and then invaded by the Toltecs. Toltec culture was fused with that of the Maya, incorporating the Toltec cult of Quetzalcoatl (Kukulcan). As I walked through Chichen Itza, I saw numerous images of both Chac (the Maya rain god) and Quetzalcoatl (the plumed serpent). The breathtaking El Castillo and the Plataforma de Venus are amazing architectural works and were built during the height of the Toltecs. The warlike Toltec also brought human sacrifice to a near obsession and I observed numerous carvings that depicted this ritual.
After a Mayan leader moved his political capital to Mayapan (Chichen Itza remained the religious capital), Chichen Itza fell into decline and was abandoned in the 14th century. Please check out my video to see El Castillo firsthand, one of our wonders of the world!
During my travels in Chiapas, one of the most remarkable historical sites that I visited was Palenque. Palenque is an amazing national treasure and one of the best examples of Maya architecture. Unfortunately, when I visited Palenque, Pakal’s tomb was closed to tourists but I did buy a beautiful tapestry that depicts the drawings on the cover of the tomb. I bought the tapestry from a vendor at Palenque who told me that he used to live in Chicago! He was selling tapestries with his son who he was teaching English so I got to talk with him about what it’s like to be a young boy (he was 12) in Chiapas. He wasn’t too interested in talking with me though…I guess he didn’t want anything to do with a teacher during summer break!!
Palenque was first occupied around 100 BCE until 740 CE and its original name may have been Lakamha (Big Water). The city reached its peak during the reign of Pakal who archaeologists believed was represented by hieroglyphics of sun and shield. Pakal lived until 80 years old and reigned until 683 CE. During Pakal’s reign, many plazas and buildings were constructed including the Templo de las Inscriptiones which is Pakal’s own mausoleum.
After Pakal died, his son, Kan B’alam II reigned. He is represented in hieroglyphics by the jaguar and the serpent. Under Kan B’alam’s rule, Palenque extended its control to the Rio Usumacinta but was challenged by the rival Maya city of Tonina. His brother, K’an Joy Chitam II, was captured and most likely executed.
After 900 CE, Palenque was abandoned and the city was soon overgrown (Palenque is in an area that receives the heaviest rainfall in Mexico and the jungle terrain covered this ancient city). In 1746, Maya hunters discovered a jungle palace in Palenque but it was not until 1837 when an amateur archaeologist, John L. Stephens, visited Palenque that the sight was fully investigated. Today, archaeologists continue to uncover beautiful ancient secrets (sculptures, frescoes, temples) at Palenque.
Mr. Daniels, the resident teacher in our classroom, led a really thought-provoking lesson today about the circumstances that undocumented workers experience while working illegally in the U.S. Here was his activator: Based on our shared readings from the past two days, think about your response to the following statement: Immigrants that illegally enter the U.S. and work as undocumented workers should have the same rights as legal U.S. citizens.
He had the students pick one of four choices, “Strong Agree,” “Somewhat Agree,” “Strongly Disagree,” and “Somewhat Disagree.” The students made their choice before watching the video (link pasted below). After the video, they then had to write a reflection on whether they changed their choice. I will definitely post some student responses tomorrow, I wish I taped the discussion in class today because it was really thoughtful and intense. Our students are amazing– and it’s only the 8th day back! If you get a chance, check out the PBS video from 2009 listed below.
Guatemala: In the Shadow of the Raid, U.S. immigration raid leaves lasting mark
BY GREG BROSNAN AND JENNIFER SZYMASZEK
July 30, 2009
Veracruz was an amazing city to explore. We arrived late in the afternoon and the zocalo across from our hotel was already bustling with vendors, mariachi bands, ballet folklorico performances, and even a tight rope walker. As Mexico’s oldest and largest port, Veracruz is home to the Mexican Naval Academy and is known for its beautiful beaches along the Gulf coast. Veracruz attracts many Mexican vacationers who enjoy the tropical climate and Veracruz’s famous music, dancing, and festive atmosphere which also makes it the third biggest destination for Carnival.
Veracruz has major historical significance and sadly marks the beginning of conquistador Hernan Cortes’ massacre of Mexico’s indigenous people. A first expedition to Veracruz detected the presence of gold in the region so Cortes led a second expedition in 1519. During the 1520s, Veracruz served as the launching point for Cortes’ takeover of central Mexico. During the later sixteenth century, Veracruz was the major departure point for Spanish galleons filled with new world silver. Today, Veracruz remains economically important as a major Mexican oil port.
Make sure to check out my video below- lots of great views of Veracruz’s bustling zocalo showcasing a local mariachi band and traditional Ballet Folklorico performances.
The Museo Nacional de Antropologia was designed in 1963 by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, Jorge Campuzano and Rafael Mijares and it was opened in 1964 by President Adolfo López Mateos. The Chávez Morado fountain in the middle of the museum’s courtyard is beautiful and highlights the museum’s impressive architecture and exhibition halls. Some of the exhibits that I explored include the Aztec’s Stone of the Sun, giant stone heads of the Olmec civilization that were found in the jungles of Tabasco and Veracruz, a replica of the sarcophagal lid from Pakal’s tomb at Palenque, and a reproduction of the pyramid of the Feathered Serpent from Teotihuacán (which I visited earlier the same day and highlighted in my previous post). In the next few days, I also traveled to Tabasco, Veracruz, and Palenque and I will post those videos soon.
For my first journey outside of Mexico City, I traveled to Teotihuacan which is about 25 miles northeast of the city. I have never seen or climbed a pyramid before and I was absolutely in awe of the pyramids and temples at Teotihuacan, they are an amazing sight that I tried to capture on video for you. The video, however, definitely does not capture the incredible feeling standing beside the world’s third largest pyramid, it was truly exhilarating!
Little is known about the early history of Teotihuacan but it is believed that people first moved to the area around 500 BCE with construction on its most monumental structure, the Pyramid of the Sun, beginning sometime after 100 BCE. By 500 CE, Teotihuacan’s pyramids and palaces covered 12 square miles and the city was larger in size and population than Rome. Through trade and other contact, Teotihuacán’s influence was felt as far south as the Yucatán and Guatemala. Teotihuacan’s inhabitants abandoned their city around 700 CE and although their reasons are unknown, it is believed that they may have left due to overpopulation and a depletion of natural resources.
Teotihuacán means “place where gods were born,” reflecting the Aztec belief that the gods created the universe here. And although not much is known about the city’s first inhabitants, analysis of their murals reveal that they were strong warriors with the aim not to expand their territory but to capture prisoners who were sacrificed to prevent the end of the world.
The primary deities depicted in the architecture and murals at Teotihuacan include: “Spider Woman;” Tlaloc, the Rain God; Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent; The Sun God and Moon Goddess; and Xipe Totec (Our Lord the Flayed One, associated with renewed vegetation).
Also prominent at Teotihuacan was the cult of the planet Venus who determined wars and human sacrifices. Ceremonial rituals were timed with the appearance of Venus as the morning and evening star. The symbol of Venus at Teotihuacán appears as a star or half star with a full or half circle.
Check out the video to see the incredible sights at Teotihuacan including the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Calzada de los Muertos, The Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent Pyramid, and the Palace of the Jaguars.
