well my wife and I had four children and they all went into different things they
they all went into different things they
they all went into different things they even listen to different kinds of music
even listen to different kinds of music
even listen to different kinds of music and there’s ten years between the
and there’s ten years between the
and there’s ten years between the youngest and the oldest we never
youngest and the oldest we never
youngest and the oldest we never encouraged it people used to think we
encouraged it people used to think we
encouraged it people used to think we might be like tennis parents pushing
might be like tennis parents pushing
might be like tennis parents pushing that our youngest child into the same
that our youngest child into the same
that our youngest child into the same thing but you know we sort of almost
thing but you know we sort of almost
thing but you know we sort of almost discouraged it in a way but it was just
discouraged it in a way but it was just
discouraged it in a way but it was just you know that way David started when he
you know that way David started when he
you know that way David started when he was not from the late or not being
was not from the late or not being
was not from the late or not being interested in the subject because we
interested in the subject because we
interested in the subject because we were sitting in the middle of a forest
were sitting in the middle of a forest
were sitting in the middle of a forest down there in a thatched house with you
down there in a thatched house with you
down there in a thatched house with you know no electricity and we had to boil
know no electricity and we had to boil
know no electricity and we had to boil our water to drink it had to wait a
our water to drink it had to wait a
our water to drink it had to wait a couple of days for it to cool and you
couple of days for it to cool and you
couple of days for it to cool and you know it was just a different way of life
know it was just a different way of life
know it was just a different way of life and it was boring in some ways and I
and it was boring in some ways and I
and it was boring in some ways and I guess he’d go out and you know look at
guess he’d go out and you know look at
guess he’d go out and you know look at stuff yeah well I mean it I remember
stuff yeah well I mean it I remember
stuff yeah well I mean it I remember being an eight year old kid and you know
being an eight year old kid and you know
being an eight year old kid and you know living this Maya village and at first
living this Maya village and at first
living this Maya village and at first not liking it very much you know I came
not liking it very much you know I came
not liking it very much you know I came from you know this American lifestyle
from you know this American lifestyle
from you know this American lifestyle and it was plopped down in this you know
and it was plopped down in this you know
and it was plopped down in this you know rainforest hut you know and it was a
rainforest hut you know and it was a
rainforest hut you know and it was a huge adjustment I ended up loving it and
huge adjustment I ended up loving it and
huge adjustment I ended up loving it and so it was that experience which really
so it was that experience which really
so it was that experience which really you know I keep with me still it’s it’s
you know I keep with me still it’s it’s
you know I keep with me still it’s it’s this is fun stuff that you know the work
this is fun stuff that you know the work
this is fun stuff that you know the work that we’re doing and I picked up on that
that we’re doing and I picked up on that
that we’re doing and I picked up on that at that time because I saw my dad having
at that time because I saw my dad having
at that time because I saw my dad having fun doing it and in it I never thought
fun doing it and in it I never thought
fun doing it and in it I never thought of this and still don’t think of it as
of this and still don’t think of it as
of this and still don’t think of it as work you know it’s it’s a hobby that is
work you know it’s it’s a hobby that is
work you know it’s it’s a hobby that is turned out to be you know one that I
turned out to be you know one that I
turned out to be you know one that I could you know get a job at but it’s
could you know get a job at but it’s
could you know get a job at but it’s it’s still the fun of it the keeps it
it’s still the fun of it the keeps it
it’s still the fun of it the keeps it going and so we’re still working
going and so we’re still working
going and so we’re still working together and you know writing together
together and you know writing together
together and you know writing together and doing all sorts of stuff
I first went to Palenque when I was a
I first went to Palenque when I was a kid of course I think I was on the same
kid of course I think I was on the same
kid of course I think I was on the same trip that three three years old and and
trip that three three years old and and
trip that three three years old and and I do remember being there at that time
I do remember being there at that time
I do remember being there at that time because I remember the you know the dump
because I remember the you know the dump
because I remember the you know the dump trucks and the dirt you know coming off
trucks and the dirt you know coming off
trucks and the dirt you know coming off of the palace and and the excavations
of the palace and and the excavations
of the palace and and the excavations going on and it I have to say that today
going on and it I have to say that today
going on and it I have to say that today still just walking around that site
still just walking around that site
still just walking around that site it’s a magical experience there’s really
it’s a magical experience there’s really
it’s a magical experience there’s really no other place like it because when you
no other place like it because when you
no other place like it because when you walk say through the palace pakal’s
walk say through the palace pakal’s
walk say through the palace pakal’s Palace it’s still there I mean it’s it’s
Palace it’s still there I mean it’s it’s
Palace it’s still there I mean it’s it’s it’s not even really a ruin yeah there’s
it’s not even really a ruin yeah there’s
it’s not even really a ruin yeah there’s some walls that are down and you know
some walls that are down and you know
some walls that are down and you know but you the plasters on the walls here
but you the plasters on the walls here
but you the plasters on the walls here you’re walking through these galleries
you’re walking through these galleries
you’re walking through these galleries through doorways you know turning
through doorways you know turning
through doorways you know turning corners and you see a bench there and a
corners and you see a bench there and a
corners and you see a bench there and a you know a platform over there and the
you know a platform over there and the
you know a platform over there and the paintings are still on the walls in many
paintings are still on the walls in many
paintings are still on the walls in many places you get a sense of a lived space
places you get a sense of a lived space
places you get a sense of a lived space you know of people and there’s really no
you know of people and there’s really no
you know of people and there’s really no other myocyte like that that has you
other myocyte like that that has you
other myocyte like that that has you know such an atmosphere and in addition
know such an atmosphere and in addition
know such an atmosphere and in addition to that it’s an you know the jungle was
to that it’s an you know the jungle was
to that it’s an you know the jungle was right around you though you hear the
right around you though you hear the
right around you though you hear the howler monkeys in the mornings and the
howler monkeys in the mornings and the
howler monkeys in the mornings and the evenings and the mist from the the
evenings and the mist from the the
evenings and the mist from the the forest coming off it’s just an
forest coming off it’s just an
forest coming off it’s just an incredible place to be and it’ll always
incredible place to be and it’ll always
incredible place to be and it’ll always have that aura about it I hope
I remember well going being that I think
I remember well going being that I think it was the second person in but it felt
it was the second person in but it felt
it was the second person in but it felt like I was the first person into a one
like I was the first person into a one
like I was the first person into a one of the royal tombs at site of Rio Azul
of the royal tombs at site of Rio Azul
of the royal tombs at site of Rio Azul Guatemala back in 1984 and we had lifted
Guatemala back in 1984 and we had lifted
Guatemala back in 1984 and we had lifted one capstone off and we could see that
one capstone off and we could see that
one capstone off and we could see that nothing had been disturbed there was no
nothing had been disturbed there was no
nothing had been disturbed there was no dust or dirt over everything it was just
dust or dirt over everything it was just
dust or dirt over everything it was just like it had been left except everything
like it had been left except everything
like it had been left except everything that was you know not not preserved was
that was you know not not preserved was
that was you know not not preserved was not preserved but the pottery and the
not preserved but the pottery and the
not preserved but the pottery and the the part of the skeleton and everything
the part of the skeleton and everything
the part of the skeleton and everything were there it was it was kind of creepy
were there it was it was kind of creepy
were there it was it was kind of creepy and wonderful and strange and it changed
and wonderful and strange and it changed
and wonderful and strange and it changed a lot of things I had thought about you
a lot of things I had thought about you
a lot of things I had thought about you know it was it was wonderful and yet it
know it was it was wonderful and yet it
know it was it was wonderful and yet it was arresting in terms of having thought
was arresting in terms of having thought
was arresting in terms of having thought about you know the this person lying
about you know the this person lying
about you know the this person lying here you know it was just like me and
here you know it was just like me and
here you know it was just like me and what the heck am I doing here you know I
what the heck am I doing here you know I
what the heck am I doing here you know I felt like getting out right away and
felt like getting out right away and
felt like getting out right away and just leaving the person alone I think
just leaving the person alone I think
just leaving the person alone I think for me one of the most amazing
for me one of the most amazing
for me one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had is visiting a
experiences I’ve had is visiting a
experiences I’ve had is visiting a remote archaeological site in Guatemala
remote archaeological site in Guatemala
remote archaeological site in Guatemala called San Bartolo and my friend and
called San Bartolo and my friend and
called San Bartolo and my friend and student at that time Bill Saturno had
student at that time Bill Saturno had
student at that time Bill Saturno had just discovered inside of a looters
just discovered inside of a looters
just discovered inside of a looters trench you know in a pyramid some
trench you know in a pyramid some
trench you know in a pyramid some exposed wall paintings and through the
exposed wall paintings and through the
exposed wall paintings and through the help of National Geographic in fact we
help of National Geographic in fact we
help of National Geographic in fact we went back about a month later to really
went back about a month later to really
went back about a month later to really study it he was just there for just you
study it he was just there for just you
study it he was just there for just you know a few moments really and so we went
know a few moments really and so we went
know a few moments really and so we went and explored the site and we didn’t know
and explored the site and we didn’t know
and explored the site and we didn’t know anything about it we didn’t know the
anything about it we didn’t know the
anything about it we didn’t know the layout the size of it anything like that
layout the size of it anything like that
layout the size of it anything like that and the paintings just a small portion
and the paintings just a small portion
and the paintings just a small portion of them were exposed turned out to be
of them were exposed turned out to be
of them were exposed turned out to be the earliest and best preserved my wall
the earliest and best preserved my wall
the earliest and best preserved my wall paintings ever found and they’re still
paintings ever found and they’re still
paintings ever found and they’re still being excavated right now so it’s turned
being excavated right now so it’s turned
being excavated right now so it’s turned out to be one of the great discoveries
out to be one of the great discoveries
out to be one of the great discoveries ever
ever
ever I think the most important question in
I think the most important question in
I think the most important question in the world today has it’s always been as
the world today has it’s always been as
the world today has it’s always been as to realize that other people live
to realize that other people live
to realize that other people live differently and it’s alright
differently and it’s alright
differently and it’s alright and that across the gulf of culture and
and that across the gulf of culture and
and that across the gulf of culture and across the gulf of time presents a whole
across the gulf of time presents a whole
across the gulf of time presents a whole new set of problems for understanding
new set of problems for understanding
new set of problems for understanding and other people and what we’ll never
and other people and what we’ll never
and other people and what we’ll never know everything and we hardly know
know everything and we hardly know
know everything and we hardly know anything really about the Maya you know
anything really about the Maya you know
anything really about the Maya you know there’s there’s almost 6,000
there’s there’s almost 6,000
there’s there’s almost 6,000 archaeological sites and we’ve dug at 40
archaeological sites and we’ve dug at 40
archaeological sites and we’ve dug at 40 of them you know we’re just at the
of them you know we’re just at the
of them you know we’re just at the beginning archaeology and in this part
beginning archaeology and in this part
beginning archaeology and in this part of the world has really only been going
of the world has really only been going
of the world has really only been going on for a little over a hundred years and
on for a little over a hundred years and
on for a little over a hundred years and that’s nothing I mean that’s just a few
that’s nothing I mean that’s just a few
that’s nothing I mean that’s just a few generations of science and archaeology
generations of science and archaeology
generations of science and archaeology and you know there is just more and more
and you know there is just more and more
and you know there is just more and more out there we know it’s there discoveries
out there we know it’s there discoveries
out there we know it’s there discoveries are just waiting to be done so it’s the
are just waiting to be done so it’s the
are just waiting to be done so it’s the best time right now to be – I think to
best time right now to be – I think to
best time right now to be – I think to be studying this field and you know
be studying this field and you know
be studying this field and you know bringing in all sorts of knowledge to
bringing in all sorts of knowledge to
bringing in all sorts of knowledge to the question of you know who were the
the question of you know who were the
the question of you know who were the Maya and other people in Mesoamerica and
Maya and other people in Mesoamerica and
Maya and other people in Mesoamerica and how did they live you know you bring
how did they live you know you bring
how did they live you know you bring science you bring philosophy you bring
science you bring philosophy you bring
science you bring philosophy you bring linguistics you bring all sorts of stuff
linguistics you bring all sorts of stuff
linguistics you bring all sorts of stuff and that’s the joy of it is just not
and that’s the joy of it is just not
and that’s the joy of it is just not being so narrow but to to rake in all of
being so narrow but to to rake in all of
being so narrow but to to rake in all of this different kind of information and I
this different kind of information and I
this different kind of information and I remember when about 30 years ago David
remember when about 30 years ago David
remember when about 30 years ago David asked me the question is it too late to
asked me the question is it too late to
asked me the question is it too late to get into my archaeology and I said no
it could teach us a little bit about
it could teach us a little bit about living enough in an environment that may
living enough in an environment that may
living enough in an environment that may be slightly marginal it could teach us a
be slightly marginal it could teach us a
be slightly marginal it could teach us a lot about basic things like how to grow
lot about basic things like how to grow
lot about basic things like how to grow enough food to feed a population and how
enough food to feed a population and how
enough food to feed a population and how to operate without depending too much on
to operate without depending too much on
to operate without depending too much on things that we have to get from
things that we have to get from
things that we have to get from elsewhere like oil and just all sorts of
elsewhere like oil and just all sorts of
elsewhere like oil and just all sorts of things I think we can learn to be a
things I think we can learn to be a
things I think we can learn to be a little more cooperative with the earth
little more cooperative with the earth
little more cooperative with the earth around us and only live in it yeah and
around us and only live in it yeah and
around us and only live in it yeah and it’s the Maya we’re not always
it’s the Maya we’re not always
it’s the Maya we’re not always successful at that and that’s the thing
successful at that and that’s the thing
successful at that and that’s the thing that I think we should really study
that I think we should really study
that I think we should really study closely is that you know they they
closely is that you know they they
closely is that you know they they hadn’t figured out that balance they
hadn’t figured out that balance they
hadn’t figured out that balance they tripped up in many areas of that
tripped up in many areas of that
tripped up in many areas of that engagement with their environment and I
engagement with their environment and I
engagement with their environment and I think for that reason in some cases they
think for that reason in some cases they
think for that reason in some cases they they failed I mean they failed as
they failed I mean they failed as
they failed I mean they failed as communities and they failed to kind of
communities and they failed to kind of
communities and they failed to kind of reach a balanced existence like that if
reach a balanced existence like that if
reach a balanced existence like that if we study where things worked for them
we study where things worked for them
we study where things worked for them where things didn’t work for them I
where things didn’t work for them I
where things didn’t work for them I think that’s where we can really benefit
think that’s where we can really benefit
think that’s where we can really benefit because one of the fastest-growing areas
because one of the fastest-growing areas
because one of the fastest-growing areas of the world right now is is you know
of the world right now is is you know
of the world right now is is you know are in these countries in the kind of
are in these countries in the kind of
are in these countries in the kind of tropical lowlands you know of Guatemala
tropical lowlands you know of Guatemala
tropical lowlands you know of Guatemala or Mexico you know the populations are
or Mexico you know the populations are
or Mexico you know the populations are booming there and it’s in the next few
booming there and it’s in the next few
booming there and it’s in the next few decades where everything is going to
decades where everything is going to
decades where everything is going to change drastically even more than it has
change drastically even more than it has
change drastically even more than it has already and yeah I think looking at the
already and yeah I think looking at the
already and yeah I think looking at the past to the deep past is really
past to the deep past is really
past to the deep past is really beneficial for seeing how we can plan
beneficial for seeing how we can plan
beneficial for seeing how we can plan for for the future
for for the future
for for the future you
”
Be First to Comment