Nov 20, Monday: Bonampak
The three-room temple building containing the famous wall paintings is visible on the right partly shaded by trees
“Located within the deep tropical rainforest of Chiapas, Mexico, the ancient Maya site of Bonampak is home to the most complete and important mural program of the ancient Americas… These three murals first came to modern attention in 1946, when Lacandon Maya who lived in the region showed photographer Giles Healey (Yale ’24) what they had not previously shown to any outsider: a small temple whose three rooms house paintings that cover all surfaces. Painted around A.D. 800, these three rooms of paintings reveal, in astonishing detail, the ancient Maya at the end of their splendor, engaging in court rituals and human sacrifice, wearing elegant costumes and stripping the clothing from fallen captives, acknowledging foreign nobles and receiving abundant tribute. No other surviving work features so many Maya engaged in the life of the court, whether second-tier warriors presenting captives to the king or the king’s mother pushed to the side by her imperious daughter-in-law. Costumes, musical instruments, and the weapons of war are all rendered with great detail, making Bonampak an unparalleled resource for understanding ancient society.” [http://peabody.yale.edu/exhibits/maya-murals-bonampak]
Heather briefs the discovery of the Bonampak wall paintings
Michael shooting panorama of room interior
Room interior panorama
Room interior panorama
Painting detail–procession of musicians
Painting detail–captives, those on left have had fingernails ripped out.
Painting detail
Photo Op
Lacandon guide at Bonampak in traditional native dress. The Lacandon are considered to be the most isolated and culturally conservative of the Maya people who make their home in the Chiapas jungle.
Lunch — dirt floor, tree stumps for seats, and excellent food.
A stop for a dip at Golondrina Waterfall
Nov 21, 2017, Tuesday: Yaxchilan
Our transport up the Ucumacinta River to Yaxchilan
Rienhard
Kay
Our approach to the ruins of Yaxchilan looks like a Catherwood painting
Over a four hundred year period, 250 A.D. to around 900 A.D., Yaxchilan developed into a powerful Mayan urban center. Located in an excellent defensive position, encircled as it is almost completely by a sweeping bend in the Usamacinta River, the archaeological site contains more than 120 structures distributed in three great complexes.
Fred and Barbara on the left. Evelyn descending the steps
Ball court
Yaxchilan lintels
On the way down the river to enter Guatemala, we pass a fresh water crocodile