Merida Cycling
Mexico's Mayan descendants debut in Apocalypto
The height of Mayan civilization may have ended some 1,600 years ago, but this rule enigmatic seems to be making a come back. Last Friday, December 8th, movie theaters in North America launched long-awaited feature Mel Gibson Apocalypto, filmed in Mexico, bringing the end of civilization, maya big to life on the big screen.
For centuries, the world has been mystified and intrigued by this unique culture. Considered one of the greatest civilizations of all time, and regarded as the most outstanding intellects of ancient Mexico, the Maya were an advanced society, very enlightened for his time. Not only were the Mayans an advanced civilization much like the Greeks, but his legacy remains today in areas ranging from Mexico to Honduras, as well as the legacy that the Greeks has transgressed the tests of time.
Mel Gibson's Apocalypto is entirely in the Yucatec Maya language and the cast consists of local indigenous Mayan actors. Filmed in Veracruz, Mexico, the film shows Mayan life and also connotes the Mayan prophecy, "End Times", which predicts that the world ends its fourth year-5200 and current cycle on the winter solstice of December 21, 2012. Cycles play an important role in Mayan culture and a lot of his time was spent studying astronomical rotations and synchronicity to human events.
While the major Mayan cities portrayed in the movie are gone, the ruins still remain offering visitors to Mexico a unique piece of history and culture to absorb.
Mayan Culture
The Mayans cultivated the most advanced written language of the hemisphere, excelled as astronomers and mathematicians were highly qualified, the first in the world to reach the concept of zero, and the use of complex calculations. They were also admirable urban planners and city were filled with great monumental temples which were built without the use of tools as we know them today.
Mayan cities were carefully designed with temples and places in the center and a close ball game, which enabled the Mayans to play a game considered the precursor to soccer. The ruins of these amazing cities are in Mexico, specifically in the states of Yucatan. Exciting new findings in the field of archeology are revealing countless treasures from their temples and pyramids as scientists work to unravel the mysteries of the past.
The area of the Mayan civilization spread across northern Central America which includes present-day nations of Guatemala, Belize, western Honduras and El Salvador, and southern states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Quintana Roo, Campeche and Yucatan. Its history can be traced through three major periods: the pre-Classic from 2000 BC to 200 AD, the Classic from 200 AD to 900 AD, and the post-classical 900 AD to 1521 AD As people worldwide in awe of these people advanced, is becoming increasingly popular to study and learn more about Maya through travel, literature and now, film.
Chichen Itza
In their most notable constructions, Chichen-Itza is one of the most famous Mayan sites, and is currently a finalist to become a new Seven World Wonder. Located in Yucatan State, Chichen-Itza is one of the most archaeologically impressive creations in Mexico, and one of the most visited places in the country. When built by the Mayans, these magnificent pyramids were perfectly aligned with the sun and Chichen Itza was constructed so that during the equinoxes, the setting sun casts a shadow of a serpent descending on the north steps of the pyramid. This effect was the result of Maya incredibly precise astronomical and architectural measurements and Chichen Itza was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.
Chichen Itza which peaked between 700 and 1200 AD, was the political, economic and military in the area. It is surrounded by lush vegetation, underground rivers, natural wells and limestone that the Mayans used to construct their magnificent buildings. There are scenes where the Maya Apocalypto are completely covered with white limestone dust, showing the intensity of the work being exposed to build their pyramids and temples.
Tulum
If Chichen-Itza overwhelms the viewer with their size and complexity, Tulum charms with its location in a limestone cliff over the turquoise splendor of the Caribbean. Located about 75 miles south of Cancun in the state of Quintana Roo, Tulum settlement is the only completely walled Mayan is known and so popular that it attracts about 2 million visitors annually.
This small collection of temples on a cliff overlooking the blue-green sea served as a major trading center and port for the 4000 or Maya for canoes that plied the seas off the coast of northern Mexico to America South. Filled with feathers, furs, jade, medicinal herbs, salt and honey, these canoes navigated a network of inland canals dug by the
Uxmal
Another important ruin in the Yucatan Peninsula is Uxmal, located 50 miles south of Merida. Uxmal is the peerless example of classical architecture Pu'uc the name of the mountainous region of northwestern Yucatan Pu'uc, where this style attained its ultimate refinement. It is also the largest site, known her exquisite sense of proportion. The invention of a local type of cement made from seashells allowed the construction of wide arches, huge gateways and impressive rooms in addition to the beautiful proportions.
Yucatan Peninsula
In addition to ruins and colonial treasures of Mexico's Yucatan state also offers much for ecotourism and adventure tourist enthusiast. The climate have produced forest surroundings that support a wide variety of wildlife. Visitors can enjoy sports Yucalpetén open sea, while birdwatchers can admire the great variety of species found in El Palmar as well as the impressive flamingo population Celestun. The lack of surface rivers means that the state obtains water from a complex system of underground rivers, which attract divers and swimmers. stone sinks limestone, or cenotes, are also great for exploring.
While the State of Yucatan can offer a wide range of Mayan culture and fantastic tourism options, the state of Veracruz is where Apocalypto was filmed. The images float through the jungles of Catemaco to the city of Veracruz, which offers excellent images in the southeastern state which has invested $ 1.8 million in tourism in 2005.
After seeing Apocalypto, will surely be an inspiration to travel to Mexico and learn more about the country's vast indigenous cultures. From photography to amazing scenery, "Apocalypto" offers a unique look at pre-Hispanic Mexico, and influences that remain today.
For more information, please visit www.apocalypto.com and www.visitmexicopress.com.
About Tourism Office of Mexico
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico's attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is the tourist promotion agency of Mexico, and its participants are members of private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
FOR PRESS ONLY: For more ideas, help with a story or general travel and tourism information about Mexico, please contact the MTB's North American Press Room directly at 1-800-929-4555, by e-mail to northamericanpress@visitmexico.com, or visit our website in the press www.visitmexicopress.com. To access an online warehouse of free, downloadable b-roll, visit www.thenewsmarket.com / visitmexicopress.
# # #
Erick dryer
Mexico Tourism Board
312-228-0517
erick.laseca @ bm.com
About the Author
Erick Laseca works for Burson-Marsteller as public relations liaison for the Mexico Tourism Board in Chicago.
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