New Light on the Ancient Maya

During the past two decades, discoveries and research by archaeologists, epigraphers, art historians, and natural scientists have changed many of our ideas about the origins and nature of Maya civilization, and the probable causes of its collapse in the 9th century. Examine the profound effect of what has been learned on how we now think about the most complex New World culture.

Michael Coe, Yale University

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[DistinctiveVoicesBC]

Hi Ajaw,

This isn't from a conference per se. Distinctive Voices is a National Academy of Sciences (includes National Academy of Engeineering and Institute of Medicine) public science lecture series held free 2-3 times per month Sep-May at the Beckman Center in Irvine CA and June - Sept at the Jonsson Center in Woods Hole, MA. This lecture was held in Irvine on Oct 15, 2008

[YaxKukMo1426]

I went on a Nile cruise on 4th May 1983 and who should I sit next to but Prof Michael Coe and a couple of seats along his wife Sophie. I was a young punk of 19 who was totally obsessed with ancient Egypt and had no idea who this GOD of Mayanist studies was. Now of Course I have so many books by Prof Coe I wish could meet the man himself again.

[AhuaKuk]

@MooPotPie define stammering. And I ask that you provide an audio of you saying your argument with editing your voice. I think he was very articulate and went through a thousand years of history in an hour without missing a beat.

[AhuaKuk]

@interstellarwonder He does not contend that the Maya were the only civilized people of the Americas. He contends that they were a city state society in the Americas that were on par with the Aztec and the city of Teotihuacan. He does not talk aboutt the Incas of South America because they are not part of Mesoamerica. His only controversial statement is that the Olmecs were the cradle of MESOAMERICAN culture- which there are some good arguments against.

[MerrinGallery]

An excellent talk by Michael!

[interstellarwonder]

@MooPotPie 'As for genocide against the Maya, that is not the matter at hand here.' you mean genocide now or before? and why would their genocide not matter? i'm have to do what i must to erase ignorance from ppls minds about native american cultures ,as most ppl have NOO clue.

[MooPotPie]

@interstellarwonder & Nahuatlatoa: Lighten up guys. He seems to be a stammering old man in a hurry. He said upfront it would take ten hours to tell it all. He also comes off as very humbled by the accomplishments of his subject and certainly gives the Olmec their due respect. As for genocide against the Maya, that is not the matter at hand here. Acknowledgement of the Spanish conquest with its smallpox and Catholic Jihad, does not imply denial of Mayan mistreatment by others…or themselves.

[geniemist]

I'm so fascinated by this subject...Imagine if billions of dollars went into excavation of these places instead for wars...

[Nahuatlatoa]

He forgot to mention not only the Hispanikkk/Latino/Spaniard pillaging but also Anglo/Germanic (Amerikkkan) kkkillings against the Maaya' and other Nican Titlacah (Indigenous People). That's right!

[Nahuatlatoa]

We are Mexihcah not "Aztec" idiot! This guy is/was a professor? Typical.