NOVA scienceNOW : 27 - Maya

Summary

Archaeologist Bill Saturno's discovery of the oldest known Maya paintings at San Bartolo sheds light on the civilization's early religious and political systems. The paintings, dating back to 100 B.C., depict the maize god and are the earliest hieroglyphic texts in the Maya lowlands. Collaborating with NASA archaeologist Tom Sever, they use remote sensing technology to uncover hidden Maya sites through satellite imagery, revealing the advanced agricultural practices that sustained the civilization. This technology also suggests that deforestation from Maya construction may have contributed to their downfall.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The Maya civilization thrived in Central America for 1,200 years, with Tikal being one of the most significant cities, showcasing advanced art, architecture, and astronomy.
• 🏞️ Tikal's peak was marked by a population of 100,000, but the civilization mysteriously collapsed around 12 centuries ago, leaving 80% of its people gone within a couple of generations.
• 🔍 Archaeologist Bill Saturno's discovery of ancient Maya paintings in San Bartolo provided insights into the earliest depictions of religion and government, dating back to 100 B.C.
• 🌐 The use of remote sensing technology by Tom Sever, an archaeologist at NASA, revealed the Maya's innovative agricultural practices that sustained their large population despite poor farmland.
• 🛤️ Satellite imagery exposed ancient Maya roadways, water reservoirs, and canal systems, offering a new perspective on how the Maya managed their resources.
• 🌱 The difference in vegetation color, due to limestone seepage from Maya buildings, was detected by satellite cameras, leading to the identification of undiscovered archaeological sites.
• 🗺️ By combining GPS and satellite data, Saturno and Sever were able to locate and explore new Maya sites with remarkable accuracy.
• 🌿 The Maya's extensive construction and deforestation may have contributed to their own drought and eventual collapse, as suggested by the analysis of satellite data.
• 🚀 The integration of space technology with archaeology has revolutionized the study of ancient civilizations, allowing for a broader understanding of their impact on the environment.
• 🔮 The potential for discovering more sites like San Bartolo is vast, with satellite images indicating numerous unexplored areas that could hold further clues to the Maya civilization.

Q & A

What was the population of the Maya civilization at its peak?

The Maya civilization supported a population that numbered in the millions at its peak.

What was the significance of the city of Tikal during the Maya civilization?

Tikal was one of the wonders of the New World, with centuries of art, architecture, and astronomy, and it dominated Central America for 1,200 years.

Why is the collapse of the Maya civilization considered a mystery?

The collapse remains a mystery because it happened suddenly at the peak of Maya power, and the civilization fell apart within a generation or two.

How did the discovery at San Bartolo change Bill Saturno's life?

The discovery of the oldest Maya paintings at San Bartolo, depicting religion and government, was considered the discovery of a lifetime and changed Bill Saturno's life.

What was the role of Anatolio Lopez in saving Bill Saturno's life?

Anatolio Lopez, the expedition's most experienced guide, found a flowering plant called Pinuela, whose fruit provided the necessary moisture to save Saturno's life.

What technology did Tom Sever use to survey ancient sites?

Tom Sever used a technology called 'remote sensing' which utilizes aircraft and satellites to survey ancient sites on the ground.

How did remote sensing reveal the Maya's innovative agriculture?

Remote sensing revealed the Maya's innovative agriculture by showing satellite imagery of intense cultivation connected by ancient roadways through layers of the modern rainforest.

What was the curious detail Bill Saturno noticed in the satellite imagery?

Saturno noticed that the forest in San Bartolo was of a lighter color than the forest outside of it, which indicated the presence of archaeological sites.

How did the limestone used by the Maya affect the vegetation as seen by satellite cameras?

The limestone used by the Maya as building material had seeped into the soil, changing the vegetation growing on Maya sites, which glowed brightly in infrared and was picked up by satellite cameras.

What was the result of the collaboration between archaeology and space technology in understanding the Maya civilization?

The collaboration allowed scientists to learn how the Maya conquered the harsh landscape, the extent of their expansion, and how deforestation and construction might have contributed to their own destruction.

How did the discovery at San Bartolo impact the understanding of the Maya civilization's relationship between god and kings?

The murals at San Bartolo provided the earliest example of the relationship between god and kings in the Maya civilization, with hieroglyphic texts predating readable texts by five centuries.