the mayan underground show - 03/18/08 09:28 PM
(copied from another thread)
"This episode, called "Maya Underground" will air March 10 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, 8:00 p.m. Central, on the History Channel. "Maya Underground" can also be seen on March 11 and on March 15. See local listings for exact time or visit http://www.history.com/minisites/citiesoftheunderworld."
did anyone watch this show besides us? it was pretty cool footage of underground mayan sites.
but....what's up with the host going on and on about bloody, violent, cruel, tortured captured enemies, etc? it sparked quite a discussion by us regarding the societies that were the mayans' contemporaries at the time (the Romans, for example). i don't believe the whole throwing captives into an arena with a lion or bear are any less cruel or violent (more, even) than the rituals the maya were engaging in. the host seem horrified that the mayans sacrificed (killed) their conquered enemy leaders. Is it me, or was this pretty common practice 1000+ years ago? yet the roman's are revered for their accomplishments, without being portrayed as gruesome, horrid or blood-thirsty, like the mayans sometimes are.
we agreed they get a continued 'bad rap' on these types of shows - it was just a cultural thing. when we discuss the scope of the civilization, its science, engineering, art, and so on, i think the maya are very underrated compared to other societies of the time. our kids tell us they never learn anything about the maya (or inca or aztec, for that matter) in school.
anyone else a little frustrated by these things?
"This episode, called "Maya Underground" will air March 10 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, 8:00 p.m. Central, on the History Channel. "Maya Underground" can also be seen on March 11 and on March 15. See local listings for exact time or visit http://www.history.com/minisites/citiesoftheunderworld."
did anyone watch this show besides us? it was pretty cool footage of underground mayan sites.
but....what's up with the host going on and on about bloody, violent, cruel, tortured captured enemies, etc? it sparked quite a discussion by us regarding the societies that were the mayans' contemporaries at the time (the Romans, for example). i don't believe the whole throwing captives into an arena with a lion or bear are any less cruel or violent (more, even) than the rituals the maya were engaging in. the host seem horrified that the mayans sacrificed (killed) their conquered enemy leaders. Is it me, or was this pretty common practice 1000+ years ago? yet the roman's are revered for their accomplishments, without being portrayed as gruesome, horrid or blood-thirsty, like the mayans sometimes are.
we agreed they get a continued 'bad rap' on these types of shows - it was just a cultural thing. when we discuss the scope of the civilization, its science, engineering, art, and so on, i think the maya are very underrated compared to other societies of the time. our kids tell us they never learn anything about the maya (or inca or aztec, for that matter) in school.
anyone else a little frustrated by these things?