By Alli Sinclair
At school, history was a bore. I mean, really, what's so
interesting about studying dead people? But then a man with a battered hat,
bullwhip, and a lopsided smile swaggered into my life. OK, it was onscreen, but
still, Indiana Jones impacted the way I viewed the ancient world and literally,
changed my life.
History became exciting. The people who lived in ancient
civilizations had invented cool stuff. They made me realize we owe a lot to our
ancestors for what we have today. And from the first moment I saw Indy swinging
with his bullwhip across a chasm, I decided to go on my own crusade and
discover ancient cultures.
One of the first that fascinated me was Tikal, one of the
largest archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Mayan civilization. Located
in the lush Petén Basin in Guatemala, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of
the most impressive, mysterious places on earth. Thick jungle surrounds the ruins
and howler monkeys chatter overhead, accompanied by the lyrical songs of 410
species of birds.
Bound by rivers, the park containing Tikal provides
protection for ocelots, peccaries, toucans, and jaguars, just to name some of
the exotic wildlife that live in the shadows of the jungle. So far, only 3,000
sites have been uncovered, and there’s a further 10,000 waiting for
archaeologists to unearth. It’s been 50 years since the first dig at Tikal, and
given the expanse of the area, it could take many lifetimes to fully discover
the history and secrets beneath the soil. The Mayans believed in reincarnation,
and I wonder if archaeologists wish it were true, so they could continue with
their discoveries.
In its heyday, Tikal was home to 90,000 people and covered
close to 75 square miles (120 square kilometers). Because of its
geographical location, the Mayans needed to conserve water, and management of
this precious resource was vital for the survival of their city. Surrounded by
wetlands, the Mayans devised reservoir systems for water diversion and storage,
taking advantage of the seasonal rainfall. Roads were paved with lime-based
cement, and flint was readily available, providing the Mayans with a valuable
stone to make spear points, arrowheads, and knives.
In 700 B.C., Tikal was a commercial, cultural and religious
centre but by the mid-4th century, Tikal had morphed into a city of people
who’d adopted brutal methods in warfare under the rule of King Jaguar Paw. It
is still not known exactly what killed off the Mayans but the latest report in
National Geographic suspects climate may have had a lot to do with their
demise. Yet another reason why learning about history is so important – we have
the opportunity to change our ways based on what our ancestors did, or didn’t,
do.
The most striking features at Tikal are the steep-sided
temples rising above the jungle. The plazas have been cleared of trees and
vines, and the temples are partially restored. At times, great distances exist
between sites, and one can stroll under the dense canopy, take refuge from the
sun, and enjoy the rich, earthy scents of the low-lying vegetation. Even at
peak tourist season, it’s possible to escape the throngs, step back in time,
and imagine what life may have been like.
Translated from Itzá Maya, Tikal means “place of voices”,
and it’s easy to understand why. Whispers from the past echo through the
deserted corridors and around corners. The skin prickles, and hair stands on
end with the feeling of not being entirely alone.
It’s a long, hot climb to the top of the temples but the
view is worth every rasping breath. Temples tower above the dense forest,
dotting the vista, and the great height of the monuments can cause giddiness.
Star Wars buffs will note Temple IV was used for a scene of the Massassi
Outpost on the fourth moon of Yavin. Even 1970s Hollywood saw the allure of
such a magical place.
Tikal is shrouded in mystery and magic. It begs to be
explored and the mind wanders, trying to create theories of how people lived
and died. Maybe all the questions will never be answered. But what I do know is
Tikal will always be a place I treasure, thanks to an intrepid fictional
adventurer named Indiana Jones.
King Jaguar Paw begs for a novel...
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, you're right, Yves!
ReplyDeleteWow, what an incredible place! And I was a huge Indy fan too :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kerrie! It certainly is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love this side of you - so fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy! So lovely to see you here!
ReplyDelete