Press "Enter" to skip to content

Bill Saturno: Adding Time to the Maya Clock | Nat Geo Live


why were they obsessed with the movement

why were they obsessed with the movement of planets and stars and the moon and

of planets and stars and the moon and

of planets and stars and the moon and the Sun because those were the cycles

the Sun because those were the cycles

the Sun because those were the cycles that the Maya tied their existence to

that the Maya tied their existence to

that the Maya tied their existence to their hope was to be able to use their

their hope was to be able to use their

their hope was to be able to use their knowledge of the past to guide the

knowledge of the past to guide the

knowledge of the past to guide the future that’s what the Maya calendar

future that’s what the Maya calendar

future that’s what the Maya calendar means coming out this evening and I’m

means coming out this evening and I’m

means coming out this evening and I’m pretty sure that there aren’t many

pretty sure that there aren’t many

pretty sure that there aren’t many people this year who haven’t heard about

people this year who haven’t heard about

people this year who haven’t heard about the ancient Maya who haven’t heard about

the ancient Maya who haven’t heard about

the ancient Maya who haven’t heard about their calendar and haven’t heard that

their calendar and haven’t heard that

their calendar and haven’t heard that they predicted the end of the world in

they predicted the end of the world in

they predicted the end of the world in just a few weeks time so if you’ve come

just a few weeks time so if you’ve come

just a few weeks time so if you’ve come out tonight and this is weighing heavily

out tonight and this is weighing heavily

out tonight and this is weighing heavily upon your minds fret not I intend to

upon your minds fret not I intend to

upon your minds fret not I intend to send you home reassured now all too

send you home reassured now all too

send you home reassured now all too often when we think of lost

often when we think of lost

often when we think of lost civilizations like the Maya we think of

civilizations like the Maya we think of

civilizations like the Maya we think of them as very different from us distant

them as very different from us distant

them as very different from us distant foreign even alien but tonight I hope to

foreign even alien but tonight I hope to

foreign even alien but tonight I hope to reintroduce you to the Maya to bring you

reintroduce you to the Maya to bring you

reintroduce you to the Maya to bring you into their lives through their history

into their lives through their history

into their lives through their history to share with you their passions through

to share with you their passions through

to share with you their passions through their art in essence I would like to

their art in essence I would like to

their art in essence I would like to take you on a journey sort of back in

take you on a journey sort of back in

take you on a journey sort of back in time together and as is the hope with

time together and as is the hope with

time together and as is the hope with any travel to a little-known place when

any travel to a little-known place when

any travel to a little-known place when we arrive back home our hope is that we

we arrive back home our hope is that we

we arrive back home our hope is that we better understand the place we visited

better understand the place we visited

better understand the place we visited and we also understand ourselves and

and we also understand ourselves and

and we also understand ourselves and where we’ve come from a little bit

where we’ve come from a little bit

where we’ve come from a little bit better as well now this is Ian Graham

better as well now this is Ian Graham

better as well now this is Ian Graham and this was just in on a normal day you

and this was just in on a normal day you

and this was just in on a normal day you know Ian

know Ian

know Ian probably one of the most fascinating

probably one of the most fascinating

probably one of the most fascinating people ever to be born took up the call

people ever to be born took up the call

people ever to be born took up the call he sort of followed in the footsteps of

he sort of followed in the footsteps of

he sort of followed in the footsteps of people like morally and Maudsley

people like morally and Maudsley

people like morally and Maudsley documenting these ruins in these

documenting these ruins in these

documenting these ruins in these monuments in the forests of Guatemala

monuments in the forests of Guatemala

monuments in the forests of Guatemala and Mexico and he became prominent in

and Mexico and he became prominent in

and Mexico and he became prominent in the 1970s because when he was out there

the 1970s because when he was out there

the 1970s because when he was out there doing it he was battling looters he was

doing it he was battling looters he was

doing it he was battling looters he was dodging bullets he was doing all of the

dodging bullets he was doing all of the

dodging bullets he was doing all of the things that those sort of fictional

things that those sort of fictional

things that those sort of fictional archaeologists do in movies that’s what

archaeologists do in movies that’s what

archaeologists do in movies that’s what Ian had to do in real life and we even

Ian had to do in real life and we even

Ian had to do in real life and we even have the photograph of him with his whip

have the photograph of him with his whip

have the photograph of him with his whip so we’re just saying Ian Graham the real

so we’re just saying Ian Graham the real

so we’re just saying Ian Graham the real Indiana Jones well Ian began a project

Indiana Jones well Ian began a project

Indiana Jones well Ian began a project called the corpus of Maya hieroglyphic

called the corpus of Maya hieroglyphic

called the corpus of Maya hieroglyphic inscriptions and Ian actually received a

inscriptions and Ian actually received a

inscriptions and Ian actually received a MacArthur Genius award for his

MacArthur Genius award for his

MacArthur Genius award for his contributions to the decipherment of

contributions to the decipherment of

contributions to the decipherment of Maya hieroglyphs not because Ian himself

Maya hieroglyphs not because Ian himself

Maya hieroglyphs not because Ian himself could read Maya hieroglyphs or decipher

could read Maya hieroglyphs or decipher

could read Maya hieroglyphs or decipher them at all but because his life has

them at all but because his life has

them at all but because his life has been dedicated to simply recording these

been dedicated to simply recording these

been dedicated to simply recording these monuments before they vanished into the

monuments before they vanished into the

monuments before they vanished into the hands of private collections and looters

hands of private collections and looters

hands of private collections and looters around the world that by documenting

around the world that by documenting

around the world that by documenting them before they were lost

them before they were lost

them before they were lost he actually provided the corpus of

he actually provided the corpus of

he actually provided the corpus of material that a pig refers would use to

material that a pig refers would use to

material that a pig refers would use to decipher Maya hieroglyphs and it’s only

decipher Maya hieroglyphs and it’s only

decipher Maya hieroglyphs and it’s only because of that work that today we can

because of that work that today we can

because of that work that today we can read about 90% of what we find of what

read about 90% of what we find of what

read about 90% of what we find of what the Maya wrote now I should say that

the Maya wrote now I should say that

the Maya wrote now I should say that when I began studying the Maya we were

when I began studying the Maya we were

when I began studying the Maya we were really just beginning to unravel that

really just beginning to unravel that

really just beginning to unravel that history I should also say that I wanted

history I should also say that I wanted

history I should also say that I wanted to be Ian Graham I eventually did get

to be Ian Graham I eventually did get

to be Ian Graham I eventually did get the chance to work for Ian Graham I was

the chance to work for Ian Graham I was

the chance to work for Ian Graham I was simply going out to verify the presence

simply going out to verify the presence

simply going out to verify the presence of a couple of monuments that Ian had

of a couple of monuments that Ian had

of a couple of monuments that Ian had found decades earlier and had reburied

found decades earlier and had reburied

found decades earlier and had reburied so that looters wouldn’t find them my

so that looters wouldn’t find them my

so that looters wouldn’t find them my job was simply to go out

job was simply to go out

job was simply to go out and refined them to go where he had

and refined them to go where he had

and refined them to go where he had already been to find what he had already

already been to find what he had already

already been to find what he had already found I wasn’t very good at it I began

found I wasn’t very good at it I began

found I wasn’t very good at it I began at Ian’s house the first thing I was

at Ian’s house the first thing I was

at Ian’s house the first thing I was told by the guide he told me to hire was

told by the guide he told me to hire was

told by the guide he told me to hire was that we can’t get there it’s just too

that we can’t get there it’s just too

that we can’t get there it’s just too far away there is however a place it’s

far away there is however a place it’s

far away there is however a place it’s very close we’d simply travel up through

very close we’d simply travel up through

very close we’d simply travel up through Tikal and through wash achtung and from

Tikal and through wash achtung and from

Tikal and through wash achtung and from Washington it’s really just about a

Washington it’s really just about a

Washington it’s really just about a three-hour trip there are these

three-hour trip there are these

three-hour trip there are these hieroglyphic monuments three of them in

hieroglyphic monuments three of them in

hieroglyphic monuments three of them in fact that have recently been uncovered

fact that have recently been uncovered

fact that have recently been uncovered by looting and we will go and find them

by looting and we will go and find them

by looting and we will go and find them document that you take pictures we’ll be

document that you take pictures we’ll be

document that you take pictures we’ll be back later today this is the road to

back later today this is the road to

back later today this is the road to shell tomb that we took it’s in fact a

shell tomb that we took it’s in fact a

shell tomb that we took it’s in fact a very nice part of the road it’s the part

very nice part of the road it’s the part

very nice part of the road it’s the part where the road opens up and I think hey

where the road opens up and I think hey

where the road opens up and I think hey I think and get a picture here we of

I think and get a picture here we of

I think and get a picture here we of course happens not long after that

course happens not long after that

course happens not long after that picture upon a tree fallen in the forest

picture upon a tree fallen in the forest

picture upon a tree fallen in the forest I’m pretty sure it made a sound now this

I’m pretty sure it made a sound now this

I’m pretty sure it made a sound now this is I love this picture I love this

is I love this picture I love this

is I love this picture I love this picture because this is the crew that we

picture because this is the crew that we

picture because this is the crew that we have it was myself few other individuals

have it was myself few other individuals

have it was myself few other individuals we had two machetes and a chain a

we had two machetes and a chain a

we had two machetes and a chain a chainsaw

chainsaw

chainsaw probably would have been more useful in

probably would have been more useful in

probably would have been more useful in this case but a chain is what we had and

this case but a chain is what we had and

this case but a chain is what we had and we thought you know we’ll do we’ll just

we thought you know we’ll do we’ll just

we thought you know we’ll do we’ll just use the vehicle and we’ll haul this tree

use the vehicle and we’ll haul this tree

use the vehicle and we’ll haul this tree well unfortunately also weren’t driving

well unfortunately also weren’t driving

well unfortunately also weren’t driving a semi trailer or a bulldozer so we were

a semi trailer or a bulldozer so we were

a semi trailer or a bulldozer so we were unable to move that tree but I mean

unable to move that tree but I mean

unable to move that tree but I mean really what are the chances we’d find

really what are the chances we’d find

really what are the chances we’d find another one and when we just cut a path

another one and when we just cut a path

another one and when we just cut a path around the tree we drove around it

around the tree we drove around it

around the tree we drove around it should be fine how many trees do you

should be fine how many trees do you

should be fine how many trees do you think we found ok well more than 118 is

think we found ok well more than 118 is

think we found ok well more than 118 is actually the winner 18 is the winning

actually the winner 18 is the winning

actually the winner 18 is the winning number 18 trees 12 and a half hours we

number 18 trees 12 and a half hours we

number 18 trees 12 and a half hours we eventually arrived at Schulten we spend

eventually arrived at Schulten we spend

eventually arrived at Schulten we spend the night there

the night there

the night there the next day we continued walking on our

the next day we continued walking on our

the next day we continued walking on our way we eventually find the site of San

way we eventually find the site of San

way we eventually find the site of San Bartolo we eventually find an

Bartolo we eventually find an

Bartolo we eventually find an archeological site I head out of the Sun

archeological site I head out of the Sun

archeological site I head out of the Sun into a looters excavation

into a looters excavation

into a looters excavation and get to see this it’s incredible to

and get to see this it’s incredible to

and get to see this it’s incredible to look at the artistry of it the last time

look at the artistry of it the last time

look at the artistry of it the last time a wall painting had been found in the

a wall painting had been found in the

a wall painting had been found in the Maya area was in 1946 it had been 55

Maya area was in 1946 it had been 55

Maya area was in 1946 it had been 55 years

years

years I certainly had not found any of the

I certainly had not found any of the

I certainly had not found any of the things that Ian had sent me out to find

things that Ian had sent me out to find

things that Ian had sent me out to find but I had gotten very lucky and the

but I had gotten very lucky and the

but I had gotten very lucky and the perseverance of continuing to walk was

perseverance of continuing to walk was

perseverance of continuing to walk was rewarded by finding this and I got very

rewarded by finding this and I got very

rewarded by finding this and I got very lucky and that I didn’t have to go home

lucky and that I didn’t have to go home

lucky and that I didn’t have to go home empty-handed and that I didn’t die also

empty-handed and that I didn’t die also

empty-handed and that I didn’t die also a bonus these are the paintings at some

a bonus these are the paintings at some

a bonus these are the paintings at some Bartolo the story itself is remarkable

Bartolo the story itself is remarkable

Bartolo the story itself is remarkable the quality of the painting is stunning

the story tells us of a patron deity of

the story tells us of a patron deity of Kings that sets up the world that makes

Kings that sets up the world that makes

Kings that sets up the world that makes a sacrifice of his own blood and of a

a sacrifice of his own blood and of a

a sacrifice of his own blood and of a series of animals at for trees

series of animals at for trees

series of animals at for trees representing the four corners of the

representing the four corners of the

representing the four corners of the world and he does that in order to set

world and he does that in order to set

world and he does that in order to set up the world that Kings will one day

up the world that Kings will one day

up the world that Kings will one day rule where Kings will sit upon

rule where Kings will sit upon

rule where Kings will sit upon scaffolding and will receive their

scaffolding and will receive their

scaffolding and will receive their headdresses from attendants climbing

headdresses from attendants climbing

headdresses from attendants climbing ladders these are the divine foundations

ladders these are the divine foundations

ladders these are the divine foundations of kingship and the ceremonies

of kingship and the ceremonies

of kingship and the ceremonies associated with the coronation of Kings

associated with the coronation of Kings

associated with the coronation of Kings that would exist in the Maya lowlands

that would exist in the Maya lowlands

that would exist in the Maya lowlands for the next thousand years and they are

for the next thousand years and they are

for the next thousand years and they are painted on the walls at San Bartolo in

painted on the walls at San Bartolo in

painted on the walls at San Bartolo in the first century BC now this one comes

the first century BC now this one comes

the first century BC now this one comes from a student of mine actually max

from a student of mine actually max

from a student of mine actually max Chamberlain who the very day I finished

Chamberlain who the very day I finished

Chamberlain who the very day I finished the 10 years of work to consolidate and

the 10 years of work to consolidate and

the 10 years of work to consolidate and protect the Sun Bartolo murals the day

protect the Sun Bartolo murals the day

protect the Sun Bartolo murals the day the last stone of that consolidation

the last stone of that consolidation

the last stone of that consolidation work went into place this is the mural

work went into place this is the mural

work went into place this is the mural that max found now you’re looking at

that max found now you’re looking at

that max found now you’re looking at this going ok you may be thinking the

this going ok you may be thinking the

this going ok you may be thinking the same thing I was thinking nice mural max

same thing I was thinking nice mural max

same thing I was thinking nice mural max like I’m no mural snob but okay fine I’m

like I’m no mural snob but okay fine I’m

like I’m no mural snob but okay fine I’m a mural snob I mean it’s very impressive

a mural snob I mean it’s very impressive

a mural snob I mean it’s very impressive but I think I see a line there

but I think I see a line there

but I think I see a line there well done well done you this is not

well done well done you this is not

well done well done you this is not something I’ll have to worry about I’m

something I’ll have to worry about I’m

something I’ll have to worry about I’m glad that you found it he found it

glad that you found it he found it

glad that you found it he found it decided to take what he called the

decided to take what he called the

decided to take what he called the Saturno method I’ll just poke my head

Saturno method I’ll just poke my head

Saturno method I’ll just poke my head around looters excavations until I find

around looters excavations until I find

around looters excavations until I find a mural like that is never gonna work

a mural like that is never gonna work

a mural like that is never gonna work again he’s like it did he worked fine

again he’s like it did he worked fine

again he’s like it did he worked fine now it’s interesting as I said well max

now it’s interesting as I said well max

now it’s interesting as I said well max you know it’s disappointing there’s not

you know it’s disappointing there’s not

you know it’s disappointing there’s not much we can see but certainly I’m

much we can see but certainly I’m

much we can see but certainly I’m surprised that there’s anything here at

surprised that there’s anything here at

surprised that there’s anything here at all this in fact wasn’t a temple this is

all this in fact wasn’t a temple this is

all this in fact wasn’t a temple this is the house this actually wasn’t even a

the house this actually wasn’t even a

the house this actually wasn’t even a terribly impressive house the building

terribly impressive house the building

terribly impressive house the building themselves are just it’s a small mound

themselves are just it’s a small mound

themselves are just it’s a small mound it’s a few meters tall you can see that

it’s a few meters tall you can see that

it’s a few meters tall you can see that it’s right below the surface well first

it’s right below the surface well first

it’s right below the surface well first of all paintings shouldn’t be preserved

of all paintings shouldn’t be preserved

of all paintings shouldn’t be preserved here something Tamiya didn’t paint

here something Tamiya didn’t paint

here something Tamiya didn’t paint murals they probably painted them all

murals they probably painted them all

murals they probably painted them all over the places that they don’t preserve

over the places that they don’t preserve

over the places that they don’t preserve in the Maya loewen’s those changes in

in the Maya loewen’s those changes in

in the Maya loewen’s those changes in temperature and humidity are horrible

temperature and humidity are horrible

temperature and humidity are horrible for plaster and paint they destroy them

for plaster and paint they destroy them

for plaster and paint they destroy them and that little bit that was exposed by

and that little bit that was exposed by

and that little bit that was exposed by looters we don’t know how long it was

looters we don’t know how long it was

looters we don’t know how long it was exposed but we know that at this point

exposed but we know that at this point

exposed but we know that at this point there was more mural there than I had

there was more mural there than I had

there was more mural there than I had imagined I said to max well I’m gonna

imagined I said to max well I’m gonna

imagined I said to max well I’m gonna excavate just a little bit we’ll just

excavate just a little bit we’ll just

excavate just a little bit we’ll just see how big the room was certainly

see how big the room was certainly

see how big the room was certainly there’s not gonna be anything there but

there’s not gonna be anything there but

there’s not gonna be anything there but at least we can say that used to be this

at least we can say that used to be this

at least we can say that used to be this big you know there’s no painting now but

big you know there’s no painting now but

big you know there’s no painting now but there used to be something so we

there used to be something so we

there used to be something so we excavated I excavated just a little bit

excavated I excavated just a little bit

excavated I excavated just a little bit and that’s the back wall of the room

and that’s the back wall of the room

and that’s the back wall of the room that you see through the looters tunnel

that you see through the looters tunnel

that you see through the looters tunnel was only about 20 centimeters from where

was only about 20 centimeters from where

was only about 20 centimeters from where the looters had stopped I excavated it I

the looters had stopped I excavated it I

the looters had stopped I excavated it I thought holy cow max by Joe you’ve done

thought holy cow max by Joe you’ve done

thought holy cow max by Joe you’ve done it awesome there’s another mural I

it awesome there’s another mural I

it awesome there’s another mural I thought I was out they keep dragging me

thought I was out they keep dragging me

thought I was out they keep dragging me back in so

back in so

back in so but this mural so different than San

but this mural so different than San

but this mural so different than San Bartolo one of the walls the paint is

Bartolo one of the walls the paint is

Bartolo one of the walls the paint is almost invisible it’s very close to the

almost invisible it’s very close to the

almost invisible it’s very close to the surface it’s the exterior wall it’s on

surface it’s the exterior wall it’s on

surface it’s the exterior wall it’s on the east side it’s the wall that would

the east side it’s the wall that would

the east side it’s the wall that would have received the most light through the

have received the most light through the

have received the most light through the doorway when the

doorway when the

doorway when the was in use but on that wall which you’re

was in use but on that wall which you’re

was in use but on that wall which you’re looking at her saying I’m not seeing a

looking at her saying I’m not seeing a

looking at her saying I’m not seeing a lot we can still see some we see an

lot we can still see some we see an

lot we can still see some we see an individual who’s face painted black it’s

individual who’s face painted black it’s

individual who’s face painted black it’s I staring upwards but more importantly

I staring upwards but more importantly

I staring upwards but more importantly on this wall is that there are these

on this wall is that there are these

on this wall is that there are these areas that are covered in Maya texts

areas that are covered in Maya texts

areas that are covered in Maya texts some of them minuscule some of them

some of them minuscule some of them

some of them minuscule some of them longer but none of them containing the

longer but none of them containing the

longer but none of them containing the type of historical information that we

type of historical information that we

type of historical information that we might find on a steel ax that we might

might find on a steel ax that we might

might find on a steel ax that we might expect to find on a classic period mural

expect to find on a classic period mural

expect to find on a classic period mural in fact the text that we see on this

in fact the text that we see on this

in fact the text that we see on this wall is really unlike any text that

wall is really unlike any text that

wall is really unlike any text that we’ve ever seen in the classic period so

we’ve ever seen in the classic period so

we’ve ever seen in the classic period so I say to max well not only did you find

I say to max well not only did you find

I say to max well not only did you find a painting you found something

a painting you found something

a painting you found something unlike anything else we’ve ever seen one

unlike anything else we’ve ever seen one

unlike anything else we’ve ever seen one of those paintings is this it’s fairly

of those paintings is this it’s fairly

of those paintings is this it’s fairly simple the series of columns of Mayan

simple the series of columns of Mayan

simple the series of columns of Mayan numbers each one of those columns is

numbers each one of those columns is

numbers each one of those columns is capped by a glyph of the moon and in

capped by a glyph of the moon and in

capped by a glyph of the moon and in fact the patron of the moon that applies

fact the patron of the moon that applies

fact the patron of the moon that applies to that particular six-month lunar

to that particular six-month lunar

to that particular six-month lunar period this is a mile lunar table it’s a

period this is a mile lunar table it’s a

period this is a mile lunar table it’s a series of days added upon days in order

series of days added upon days in order

series of days added upon days in order to precisely predict the moon’s path

to precisely predict the moon’s path

to precisely predict the moon’s path through this guy to precisely predict

through this guy to precisely predict

through this guy to precisely predict its period now I say that because it

its period now I say that because it

its period now I say that because it predicts the period of the moon so that

predicts the period of the moon so that

predicts the period of the moon so that it’s off by about 20 seconds each year

it’s off by about 20 seconds each year

it’s off by about 20 seconds each year over a period of 13 years this is simply

over a period of 13 years this is simply

over a period of 13 years this is simply the type of table that you would see in

the type of table that you would see in

the type of table that you would see in a Maya codex this is the reconstructed

a Maya codex this is the reconstructed

a Maya codex this is the reconstructed table it’s really quite impressive

table it’s really quite impressive

table it’s really quite impressive it’s simply adding lunar months lunar

it’s simply adding lunar months lunar

it’s simply adding lunar months lunar semesters 177 days at a time but like

semesters 177 days at a time but like

semesters 177 days at a time but like our leap year every once in a while

our leap year every once in a while

our leap year every once in a while every six periods it adds an extra day

every six periods it adds an extra day

every six periods it adds an extra day as a correction in order to keep the

as a correction in order to keep the

as a correction in order to keep the mathematics of easily calculating the

mathematics of easily calculating the

mathematics of easily calculating the moon’s period in line with the actual

moon’s period in line with the actual

moon’s period in line with the actual observations of the moon why did the

observations of the moon why did the

observations of the moon why did the Maya do this why were they obsessed

Maya do this why were they obsessed

Maya do this why were they obsessed with the movement of planets and stars

with the movement of planets and stars

with the movement of planets and stars and the moon and the Sun because those

and the moon and the Sun because those

and the moon and the Sun because those were the cycles of their lives

were the cycles of their lives

were the cycles of their lives those were the cycles that they tied

those were the cycles that they tied

those were the cycles that they tied their existence to that they tied the

their existence to that they tied the

their existence to that they tied the events of their daily lives and the

events of their daily lives and the

events of their daily lives and the events and the royal lives of kings on

events and the royal lives of kings on

events and the royal lives of kings on the back wall of this room even better

the back wall of this room even better

the back wall of this room even better preserved and more impressive we see the

preserved and more impressive we see the

preserved and more impressive we see the portrait of the king we see the King

portrait of the king we see the King

portrait of the king we see the King attended by an individual who is titled

attended by an individual who is titled

attended by an individual who is titled as the younger brother obsidian eat seen

as the younger brother obsidian eat seen

as the younger brother obsidian eat seen taw doesn’t make a lot of sense the

taw doesn’t make a lot of sense the

taw doesn’t make a lot of sense the title but I’ll come back to that in a

title but I’ll come back to that in a

title but I’ll come back to that in a moment all of the individuals in this

moment all of the individuals in this

moment all of the individuals in this room bear that title the obsidians the

room bear that title the obsidians the

room bear that title the obsidians the brothers top on this wall we see another

brothers top on this wall we see another

brothers top on this wall we see another one of these tables a table again a

one of these tables a table again a

one of these tables a table again a series of numbers bars and dots and

series of numbers bars and dots and

series of numbers bars and dots and zeros that sum up Maya cycles of time

zeros that sum up Maya cycles of time

zeros that sum up Maya cycles of time that combine mathematically all of the

that combine mathematically all of the

that combine mathematically all of the cycles they thought were important

cycles they thought were important

cycles they thought were important whether that was the 260 day cycle of

whether that was the 260 day cycle of

whether that was the 260 day cycle of the ceremonial year based upon the

the ceremonial year based upon the

the ceremonial year based upon the period of human gestation tying

period of human gestation tying

period of human gestation tying themselves into the calendar system

themselves into the calendar system

themselves into the calendar system whether it was the 365 day solar year or

whether it was the 365 day solar year or

whether it was the 365 day solar year or the combination of those two a period of

the combination of those two a period of

the combination of those two a period of eighteen thousand nine hundred and

eighteen thousand nine hundred and

eighteen thousand nine hundred and eighty days or whether it was the five

eighty days or whether it was the five

eighty days or whether it was the five hundred and eighty four day cycle of

hundred and eighty four day cycle of

hundred and eighty four day cycle of Venus or the seven hundred and eighty

Venus or the seven hundred and eighty

Venus or the seven hundred and eighty day cycle of Mars are the 117 day cycle

day cycle of Mars are the 117 day cycle

day cycle of Mars are the 117 day cycle of Mercury some of you have fallen

of Mercury some of you have fallen

of Mercury some of you have fallen asleep in the back and my apologies now

asleep in the back and my apologies now

asleep in the back and my apologies now if those numbers mean anything to you

if those numbers mean anything to you

if those numbers mean anything to you they mean I don’t know enough about

they mean I don’t know enough about

they mean I don’t know enough about numbers right this is a room where these

numbers right this is a room where these

numbers right this is a room where these things were being figured out each one

things were being figured out each one

things were being figured out each one of these four numbers can be factored by

of these four numbers can be factored by

of these four numbers can be factored by all of the numbers I just told you it’s

all of the numbers I just told you it’s

all of the numbers I just told you it’s like a math problem this is about a room

like a math problem this is about a room

like a math problem this is about a room full of people a room full of guys

full of people a room full of guys

full of people a room full of guys getting together and figuring out

getting together and figuring out

getting together and figuring out unlocking the keys to

unlocking the keys to

unlocking the keys to universe this is no different than our

universe this is no different than our

universe this is no different than our physicists looking for a god particle

physicists looking for a god particle

physicists looking for a god particle this is them trying to understand how

this is them trying to understand how

this is them trying to understand how they fit in how their lives can be tied

they fit in how their lives can be tied

they fit in how their lives can be tied to the cycles large and small that they

to the cycles large and small that they

to the cycles large and small that they can observe and predict around them

can observe and predict around them

can observe and predict around them that’s what the Maya calendar is that’s

that’s what the Maya calendar is that’s

that’s what the Maya calendar is that’s what the Maya calendar means the numbers

what the Maya calendar means the numbers

what the Maya calendar means the numbers that we see in play here the one one of

that we see in play here the one one of

that we see in play here the one one of them seventeen Bach Tunes it projects

them seventeen Bach Tunes it projects

them seventeen Bach Tunes it projects thousands of years if it’s projecting

thousands of years if it’s projecting

thousands of years if it’s projecting from the base date it’s well into the

from the base date it’s well into the

from the base date it’s well into the future

future

future if it’s projecting from our date in the

if it’s projecting from our date in the

if it’s projecting from our date in the past from a previous creation it still

past from a previous creation it still

past from a previous creation it still makes its way beyond the date that were

makes its way beyond the date that were

makes its way beyond the date that were recently approaching the Maya didn’t

recently approaching the Maya didn’t

recently approaching the Maya didn’t have a sense of time coming to an end

have a sense of time coming to an end

have a sense of time coming to an end they had a sense of themselves involved

they had a sense of themselves involved

they had a sense of themselves involved with the cycles of time around them for

with the cycles of time around them for

with the cycles of time around them for those of you that want to see what a

those of you that want to see what a

those of you that want to see what a codex looks like this is the dresden the

codex looks like this is the dresden the

codex looks like this is the dresden the tables that I’ve just shown you could

tables that I’ve just shown you could

tables that I’ve just shown you could have been taken directly from this book

have been taken directly from this book

have been taken directly from this book except that this book was painted 500

except that this book was painted 500

except that this book was painted 500 years at a minimum after those walls now

years at a minimum after those walls now

years at a minimum after those walls now what’s really remarkable off those walls

what’s really remarkable off those walls

what’s really remarkable off those walls is they were painted over and over again

is they were painted over and over again

is they were painted over and over again their blackboards this isn’t something

their blackboards this isn’t something

their blackboards this isn’t something that’s permanent right this isn’t a text

that’s permanent right this isn’t a text

that’s permanent right this isn’t a text to endure for the ages this is a table

to endure for the ages this is a table

to endure for the ages this is a table to be used this is a table to be

to be used this is a table to be

to be used this is a table to be replaced it’s a table to be effaced and

replaced it’s a table to be effaced and

replaced it’s a table to be effaced and redrawn repainted in much the way that

redrawn repainted in much the way that

redrawn repainted in much the way that the codices were corrected now who were

the codices were corrected now who were

the codices were corrected now who were these guys who are these people who

these guys who are these people who

these guys who are these people who lived in this space who used this space

lived in this space who used this space

lived in this space who used this space we saw each scene talk young brother

we saw each scene talk young brother

we saw each scene talk young brother obsidian we saw him on the one wall but

obsidian we saw him on the one wall but

obsidian we saw him on the one wall but who else let’s look at the other wall on

who else let’s look at the other wall on

who else let’s look at the other wall on this wall we see much like that one face

this wall we see much like that one face

this wall we see much like that one face that we could see on the east wall we

that we could see on the east wall we

that we could see on the east wall we now see three

now see three

now see three all painted in black three figures

all painted in black three figures

all painted in black three figures wearing loincloths the largest of those

wearing loincloths the largest of those

wearing loincloths the largest of those figures is named Sehun tock

figures is named Sehun tock

figures is named Sehun tock senior obsidian older brother obsidian

senior obsidian older brother obsidian

senior obsidian older brother obsidian one of these brother obsidians the the

one of these brother obsidians the the

one of these brother obsidians the the brothers top we see these characters and

brothers top we see these characters and

brothers top we see these characters and it doesn’t look like a Maya court scene

it doesn’t look like a Maya court scene

it doesn’t look like a Maya court scene a scene in which everyone appears before

a scene in which everyone appears before

a scene in which everyone appears before the king dressed in their finery these

the king dressed in their finery these

the king dressed in their finery these guys are in loin cloths they wear only

guys are in loin cloths they wear only

guys are in loin cloths they wear only two medallions one on their chest one in

two medallions one on their chest one in

two medallions one on their chest one in their headdress a single feather all

their headdress a single feather all

their headdress a single feather all painted in black like the night sky

painted in black like the night sky

painted in black like the night sky these are our scholars the one that we

these are our scholars the one that we

these are our scholars the one that we saw on the other wall with a single

saw on the other wall with a single

saw on the other wall with a single medallion on his chest

medallion on his chest

medallion on his chest he’s the youthful one he’s the one in

he’s the youthful one he’s the one in

he’s the youthful one he’s the one in training he’s also the one closest to

training he’s also the one closest to

training he’s also the one closest to the king it’s entirely possible that

the king it’s entirely possible that

the king it’s entirely possible that they are even related this is part of a

they are even related this is part of a

they are even related this is part of a story that were just now imagining could

story that were just now imagining could

story that were just now imagining could exist in the Maya lowlands because until

exist in the Maya lowlands because until

exist in the Maya lowlands because until the discovery of this painting we had no

the discovery of this painting we had no

the discovery of this painting we had no idea that we would ever see anything

idea that we would ever see anything

idea that we would ever see anything like this not just the art but the

like this not just the art but the

like this not just the art but the science behind it now for those that are

science behind it now for those that are

science behind it now for those that are concerned that the calendar is ending

concerned that the calendar is ending

concerned that the calendar is ending I’ll just say a few words this is the

I’ll just say a few words this is the

I’ll just say a few words this is the Maya Long Count this is actually today’s

Maya Long Count this is actually today’s

Maya Long Count this is actually today’s date in the Maya Long Count

date in the Maya Long Count

date in the Maya Long Count the date is 12 1919 1618 each of those

the date is 12 1919 1618 each of those

the date is 12 1919 1618 each of those numbers represents a period of time 18

numbers represents a period of time 18

numbers represents a period of time 18 days the Kean the most basic unit of

days the Kean the most basic unit of

days the Kean the most basic unit of time the Sun rises the Sun sets it rises

time the Sun rises the Sun sets it rises

time the Sun rises the Sun sets it rises again one Keane the next digit sixteen

again one Keane the next digit sixteen

again one Keane the next digit sixteen groups of twenty we like to count in

groups of twenty we like to count in

groups of twenty we like to count in tens the Maya like 20s we wear shoes

tens the Maya like 20s we wear shoes

tens the Maya like 20s we wear shoes they didn’t it’s very simple 16 we NAS

they didn’t it’s very simple 16 we NAS

they didn’t it’s very simple 16 we NAS 20 day periods nineteen three hundred

20 day periods nineteen three hundred

20 day periods nineteen three hundred and sixty day periods

and sixty day periods

and sixty day periods 19 7,200 day periods 12 144,000 day

19 7,200 day periods 12 144,000 day

19 7,200 day periods 12 144,000 day periods since the zero day a particular

periods since the zero day a particular

periods since the zero day a particular day that we count forward from it’s also

day that we count forward from it’s also

day that we count forward from it’s also a day that we can count backward from we

a day that we can count backward from we

a day that we can count backward from we can count into the past now this day

can count into the past now this day

can count into the past now this day today happens to be 1 million eight

today happens to be 1 million eight

today happens to be 1 million eight hundred and seventy one thousand nine

hundred and seventy one thousand nine

hundred and seventy one thousand nine hundred and seventy eight days since

hundred and seventy eight days since

hundred and seventy eight days since that day tomorrow it continues to count

that day tomorrow it continues to count

that day tomorrow it continues to count we get ever closer to approaching doom

for some reason our society is obsessed

for some reason our society is obsessed with groups of zeros nothing is more

with groups of zeros nothing is more

with groups of zeros nothing is more terrifying to us than zeros grouped

terrifying to us than zeros grouped

terrifying to us than zeros grouped together like a gang of them what will

together like a gang of them what will

together like a gang of them what will they do what if there are more of them

they do what if there are more of them

they do what if there are more of them in 2000 there were three zeroes now in

in 2000 there were three zeroes now in

in 2000 there were three zeroes now in the Maya calendar there are four that’s

the Maya calendar there are four that’s

the Maya calendar there are four that’s all what happens after this day 1

all what happens after this day 1

all what happens after this day 1 million eight hundred and seventy two

million eight hundred and seventy two

million eight hundred and seventy two thousand days after day one what would

thousand days after day one what would

thousand days after day one what would happen for the ancient Maya what they

happen for the ancient Maya what they

happen for the ancient Maya what they talked about was that period endings in

talked about was that period endings in

talked about was that period endings in general were days that were important in

general were days that were important in

general were days that were important in the same way that we might look forward

the same way that we might look forward

the same way that we might look forward to a big number

to a big number

to a big number on the odometer in our car that we might

on the odometer in our car that we might

on the odometer in our car that we might say I’m almost to ten thousand miles

say I’m almost to ten thousand miles

say I’m almost to ten thousand miles I’m totally gonna watch I’m gonna watch

I’m totally gonna watch I’m gonna watch

I’m totally gonna watch I’m gonna watch it until it switches over to ten

it until it switches over to ten

it until it switches over to ten thousand miles

thousand miles

thousand miles oh what’s that damn it

none of us probably think that at a

none of us probably think that at a hundred thousand miles that the car will

hundred thousand miles that the car will

hundred thousand miles that the car will vanish

we don’t think to ourselves I hope I’m

we don’t think to ourselves I hope I’m close to home when I had a hundred

close to home when I had a hundred

close to home when I had a hundred thousand miles because this baby is

thousand miles because this baby is

thousand miles because this baby is gonna disappear and I’m gonna have to

gonna disappear and I’m gonna have to

gonna disappear and I’m gonna have to walk right it’s a monumental occasion

walk right it’s a monumental occasion

walk right it’s a monumental occasion its momentous we look at everything that

its momentous we look at everything that

its momentous we look at everything that would be awesome but exactly like that

would be awesome but exactly like that

would be awesome but exactly like that odometer what happens at this big unit

odometer what happens at this big unit

odometer what happens at this big unit of time what takes place what if you

of time what takes place what if you

of time what takes place what if you miss it that’s an awfully long wait to

miss it that’s an awfully long wait to

miss it that’s an awfully long wait to see it go by again and that’s the reason

see it go by again and that’s the reason

see it go by again and that’s the reason it was important that’s the reason that

it was important that’s the reason that

it was important that’s the reason that this ending the 13000 zero date was

this ending the 13000 zero date was

this ending the 13000 zero date was recorded a couple of times during the

recorded a couple of times during the

recorded a couple of times during the classic period because the people that

classic period because the people that

classic period because the people that recorded it were looking forward in time

recorded it were looking forward in time

recorded it were looking forward in time to the largest change in the calendar

to the largest change in the calendar

to the largest change in the calendar they could imagine that’s how the Maya

they could imagine that’s how the Maya

they could imagine that’s how the Maya thought of time they thought of

thought of time they thought of

thought of time they thought of themselves being just a tiny bit in the

themselves being just a tiny bit in the

themselves being just a tiny bit in the middle of an enormous expanse of time

middle of an enormous expanse of time

middle of an enormous expanse of time that extended into the past and extended

that extended into the past and extended

that extended into the past and extended into the future their hope was to be

into the future their hope was to be

into the future their hope was to be able to use their knowledge of the past

able to use their knowledge of the past

able to use their knowledge of the past to guide the future that’s certainly our

to guide the future that’s certainly our

to guide the future that’s certainly our hope that’s why we look to the Maya we

hope that’s why we look to the Maya we

hope that’s why we look to the Maya we think maybe they know more about this

think maybe they know more about this

think maybe they know more about this stuff than we do maybe they do the

stuff than we do maybe they do the

stuff than we do maybe they do the important thing here is that when we

important thing here is that when we

important thing here is that when we look to the Maya we have to know that

look to the Maya we have to know that

look to the Maya we have to know that we’re looking at ourselves we’re looking

we’re looking at ourselves we’re looking

we’re looking at ourselves we’re looking at people like us we’re not looking at

at people like us we’re not looking at

at people like us we’re not looking at an alien race with some special

an alien race with some special

an alien race with some special knowledge of the universe we’re looking

knowledge of the universe we’re looking

knowledge of the universe we’re looking at a group of human beings that we’re

at a group of human beings that we’re

at a group of human beings that we’re trying to figure out how they fit in

trying to figure out how they fit in

trying to figure out how they fit in that’s who we are when we meet the Maya

that’s who we are when we meet the Maya

that’s who we are when we meet the Maya on our time travel we should be greeting

on our time travel we should be greeting

on our time travel we should be greeting them not as strangers

them not as strangers

them not as strangers not as foreigners unknown to us but we

not as foreigners unknown to us but we

not as foreigners unknown to us but we should be looking at them like friends

should be looking at them like friends

should be looking at them like friends long-lost friends that have a really

long-lost friends that have a really

long-lost friends that have a really kind of interesting view of sacrifice

kind of interesting view of sacrifice

kind of interesting view of sacrifice but nonetheless they’re us and we’re

but nonetheless they’re us and we’re

but nonetheless they’re us and we’re then and we seem to be obsessed with the

then and we seem to be obsessed with the

then and we seem to be obsessed with the end of time but they were only obsessed

end of time but they were only obsessed

end of time but they were only obsessed with calculating the continuation of

with calculating the continuation of

with calculating the continuation of time have a good night

”

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *