EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED
The Mayan Effect
The Mission
Many ancient texts, philosophies, and even religions have been stating for thousands of years that there is a connection between human beings and all life. The Mayas were no strangers to such philosophy. They believed that everything in the universe is connected as part of a continuous energy field, and as a result, every thought, feeling and action exerted an influence to their society and the world which is also represented on many of the temples and cities they left behind. However, to my knowledge there is no scientific evidence that this is possible. But let's not ignore the Mayas, after all they developed the concept of "zero", their temples had a strong correlation with the cosmos, they fabricated tools that were harder than iron, they invented and fabricated hydraulic cement for producing cast-in-place concrete, they built a network of elevated concrete paved roads, long-span bridges, marines engineering and advanced water management methodologies. Archaeologist had identified the Mayas as a very sophisticated and advance society and in some cases more advanced than our own. So is it possible that their concept of everything is connected is true?
I would like to embark into a journey through the Mayan ruins in the Yucatan peninsula, to explore and experience the forces of nature that surround such sites. Walk through these magnificent ancient cities, and experience the complex correlation that exist between their buildings and the cosmos. I would explore this beautiful country by observing, collecting, documenting, analyzing and comparing the information I would gather.
The Effect
The nine platforms represent the nine underworlds in Mayan cosmology
Exploring The World
Observing
Merida
4 5 6
2
8
1
Palenque
2
Uxmal
3
Kabah
4
Ake
5
Chichen Itza
6
Coba
7
Xelha
8
Tulum
9
Muyil
9 3
Villahermosa
365 steps representing the number of days in a solar year
Pyramid of El Castillo in Chichen-Itza
7
Valladolid
Chetumal
In Tulum I would explore the Temple of the Frescoes, the Temple of the Descending God and the pyramid of El Castillo, At the less excavated ruin of Muyil I plan on documenting the 'Temple 8' situated deep into the jungle, the ruin of Muyil and the boardwalk which according to Mayan it leads to the "Sian Ka'an' (Origin of the Sky) where the physical journey would end.
1
To put into practice the Mayan effect and the philosophy that everything is connected. Every Mayan temple has a purpose and a meaning. My journey would be focused on exploring and understanding the purpose, meaning and mysteries of each temple, to experience their physical connection with the cosmos. To help us understand this amazing Mayan civilization.
Temple of the Inscriptions in Palenque
Collecting
The main purpose of the power point presentation would be to enrich the cultural knowledge of the viewer and influence their interest to read and know more about the Mayan civilization. In the end the Mayan Effect would have achieved its purpose since my experiences through this journey, my intentions, my thoughts and knowledge would exert and influence the viewer.
The northeast and southwest corners of the pyramid aligns with both the summer solstice sunrise and winter solstice sunset
The Purpose
The pyramid was built with nine platforms representing the Mayan cosmology
Window alignments at the pyramid of "El Caracol" Chichen-Itza
Cancun
The grad staircase at the pyramid of El Caracol faces 27.5 degrees north-west which perfectly aligns with the motions of Venus
The Journey
I would begin the journey at the archaeological site of Palenque. I would explore among others the Temple of the Inscriptions, The Palace; a complex of several connected buildings and courtyards, and the Temple of the Skull. I would then travel to Uxmal and visit he pyramid of The Magician and the House of Doves. I would travel south to explore the isolated archaeological site of Kabah and document the second largest ruin of the region after Uxmal. The journey would continue to the isolated ruins of Ake where a series of roads connect with other settlements in the region. Chichen-Itza would be the next stop where I plan to document some of the excavations currently undergoing next to the pyramid of El Castillo as well as buildings such as the Ball Game Courts, the North Temple, and the Observatory among others. The journey would continue to the ancient city of Coba where I would gather pictures of engraved and sculpted stelae which document ceremonial life and important events. I would then translate to the pacific coast to explore and document three ancient cities located along the cost line. Xelha, Tulum and Muyil. Xelha known as one of the main ports to the ancient city of Coba has a series of stelas describing main events which I plan to document. Documenting
Analyzing
Carved lid of king Pacal's sarcophagus Temple of Inscriptions, Palenque
The Outcome The results of my journey would be documented in a power point presentation along with a mini video that can be archived and viewed at any time. The presentation would be informative and in some cases may explain facts from the archaeological point of view. In addition to informing the viewer about these fascinating archaeological sites and my own personal experiences, the presentation would also explain the purpose and meaning of some of these temples and sites. Comparing
Pyramid of El Caracol, Chichen Itza
Sharing
Influencing