 An
Archaeological Study Tour
LORDS
OF THE RIVER AND THE PLAINS The
Northern Maya Kingdoms
March
7 – 21, 2009
Led
by Prof. William Saturno
Palenque and Yaxchilán, two
of the finest cities of the Classic period when Maya civilization
reached its greatest heights, were among the first to suffer
the effects of the processes that transformed the Maya world
in the ninth century. Uxmal and Chichén Itza were
among the last survivors of the Classic world. These cities
will show us some of the finest architecture and sculpture
of the Classic Maya world and, along with seldom-visited
sites including Comalcalco and Toniná, give us a
wonderful sampling of its diversity. Colonial Mérida
will be our introduction to the Spanish invasion; here and
in the highlands around San Cristóbal, we’ll
be able to appreciate that the Maya remain vibrant and distinctive
today. It is the blend, and sometimes the clash, of native
and European heritage that makes Mexico such a fascinating
place.
Saturday, March 7:
MÉRIDA: We
fly into Mérida from our home cities and transfer
to the Hotel Casa del Balam.
Sunday, March 8:
MÉRIDA: After an opening lecture
with Professor Saturno,
touring begins at the Museo de Antropología e Historia,
which displays material from prehistoric stone tools to
modern Maya life. We continue our city tour in the Plaza
Mayor, ringed by some of Mérida’s oldest buildings,
including the Cathedral of San Ildefonso, Palacio Municipal
and the Palacio de Ciudad. The remainder of the day will
be spent visiting other colonial sites of the city.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Monday, March 9:
CHICHÉN ITZA: The
route from Mérida to Chichén Itzá takes
us first to the Maya city of El Balem, renowned for its
unique sculpture, particularly the intricate Chenes-style
doorway, which may have been the entrance to the tomb of
Ukit-Kan-Lek-Tok. We then continue to the lovely Mayaland
Hotel at Chichén Itzá. We will begin our visit
to this amazing city this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Tuesday, March 10:
CHICHÉN ITZA: We will spend the
full day studying this extensive site divided into New Chichén,
the area built after its defeat by the Toltecs, and Old
Chichén. Many of the buildings have been restored,
giving us a wonderful picture of the splendor of the original
complex with its grand ball court and wonderful plazas and
temples, including the incredible columned Temple of the
Warriors, graceful Observatory and the dramatic Pyramid
of Kukulcán from which one can view all of Chichén
Itza.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Wednesday, March 11:
UXMAL: A drive through the verdant jungle
brings us to Uxmal, one of the most ornate and complete
complexes we will see. It represents a high point in architectural
achievement and is dated to the Terminal Classical Period
(800-1000 AD). We will spend the day visiting the remarkable
Pyramid of the Magician, Nunnery Quadrangle, a beautiful
complex of four buildings from several periods enclosing
a plaza, House of the Turtles, the richly decorated Great
Pyramid and the ornately carved Governor’s Palace,
as well as many other structures and a ball court. The day
ends at the charming Lodge at Uxmal. This evening we will
attend the “Sound & Light” performance at
Uxmal.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Thursday, March 12:
UXMAL: Today’s excursion is to
the three major sites in the vicinity of Uxmal, Sayil, Kabah
and Labná. Each is unique, Labná for its fine
arch, which was originally part of a complex linking two
large squares, Sayil for its imposing palace serving a city
estimated to have reached 17,000 people, and Kabah for its
mask-covered palace. Meals: Breakfast
& Lunch
Friday, Saturday, March 13
& 14:
SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LAS CASAS: A
morning flight from Mérida brings us to Tuxtla Gutiérrez,
capital of Chiapas. From there we drive through spectacular
mountain scenery to San Cristóbal de las Casas. This
charming city has a wealth of colonial churches, interesting
small museums and atmospheric quarters. We will have ample
time to explore its small streets and shops. On Saturday
our full day in the highlands will take us into the countryside
to visit some of the regions fascinating villages, including
San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Hotel Diego de Mazariegos.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & 1 Dinner
Sunday, March 15:
PALENQUE: Another spectacular drive will
bring us down to Palenque, stopping en route to visit the
Classic-period Maya site of Toniná and its small
museum. As cities such as Palenque and Yaxchilán
declined, the militaristic city of Toniná grew. Its
series of seven artificial terraces, each having numerous
temples and tombs, were adorned with life-sized portraits
of rulers in full battle dress. A spectacular feature is
the enormous stucco “Frieze of the Dream Lords,”
with scenes from the Popol Vuh. After completing our visit
to this extensive site, we wind our way down to the Ciudad
Real Hotel in Palenque.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Monday, Tuesday, March 16
& 17:
PALENQUE: Set in
the lush vegetation of Sierra de Chiapas, Palenque is one
of the most outstanding Maya ceremonial centers we will
see. Its towered palace and pyramid tombs are unique. We
will spend a full day exploring the magnificent structures
of this site. Tuesday we will complete our visit to Palenque,
leaving us some free time in the afternoon to relax at our
hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Wednesday, March 18:
FRONTERA COROZAL: Our
day begins with a drive to Frontera, followed by a river
trip on the Río Usumacinta to Yaxchilán, where
from AD 600 to 800 its rulers built dozens of elaborately
decorated temples. Finely carved reliefs show rulers playing
a ball game, ritual bloodletting, sacrificing captives and
being elevated to the throne. This magnificent site sits
on the banks of the river and is completely surrounded by
a forest of a variety of trees draped with vines and orchids,
while colorful parrots and red macaws fly overhead and monkeys
and other wildlife scamper through the bush. After completing
our visit, we continue to Frontera Corozal, where we will
spend the night in very simple accommodations at the Hotel
Escudo Jaguar.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Thursday, March 19:
VILLAHERMOSA: We
drive to the site of Bonampak, renowned for its fabulous
murals depicting scenes of Maya elite dressed in jaguar-skin
robes, prisoners, musicians and others. These scenes of
tribute begin on the doorjambs, and the theme of battle
and victory over vassal states develops as the visitor moves
through the rooms. After an extensive visit, we continue
on to Villahermosa and the Hyatt Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Friday, March 20:
VILLAHERMOSA: Our
touring is completed with the Olmec ruins in La Venta Park
and the Museo Regional de Antropologia. This evening we
will have our farewell dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Saturday, March 21:
This morning we transfer to the airport for
our flights home.
Meals: Breakfast
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