Summary of Engineering an Empire: The Maya (S1, E5) | Full Episode | History

00:00:00 - 00:40:00

The Maya were a highly advanced civilization that flourished in Central America between 300 and 900 AD. They were skilled engineers and architects who created some of the most impressive ruins in the world, including the El Castillo at Chichen Itza. However, their civilization eventually fell due to a combination of environmental disasters and the Spanish conquest in 1517.

• 00:00:00 The Maya civilization was discovered in the middle of a rainforest, with complex hieroglyphs that tell a story of conquest and disaster. One by one, the great city-states were abandoned, until the collapse of the civilization around 869 AD. The explanation for the collapse is still a mystery, but it may involve brutal battles and human sacrifice.
• 00:05:00 The Maya were a highly advanced civilization that flourished in the pre-classic period and continued to be a major power well into the classic period. One of the city's most iconic structures, the temple of the giant jaguar, was built in the 6th century. In 736, the king defeated his ultimate rival, Kalakmul, and in 743 and 744 he attacked and eviscerated two critical Kalakmul allies that surrounded Tikal. Finally, in celebration, he built a series of major expansions to the palace, including new pyramids. The Maya were unique in that they elected not to make practical use of technologies such as metal tools and beasts of burden, preferring to rely on their vast supply of malleable limestone and manpower.
• 00:10:00 Archaeologist Alberto Rousslier is excavating a temple in Palenque, Mexico when he discovers a secret passageway and finds six skeletons inside a vaulted crypt. He eventually finds out that the person for whom the temple was built was the ruler of Tikal, King Yakin Khan.
• 00:15:00 The video discusses the Maya civilization and their construction of an empire, including the construction of a pyramid and a sarcophagus carved from one piece of limestone. The most important Maya king, Pacquiao the Great, ruled during the most critical time for Palenque and had to establish his legitimacy by constructing some of the most extravagant buildings in the New World. The video also discusses the carl's builders, who became the best in the new world.
• 00:20:00 The Maya were a Mesoamerican culture that developed a sophisticated system of mathematics and astronomy, as well as architecture and art. In this episode, historian and author Michael Coe looks at the life and legacy of the Maya's most famous king, Pakal the Great. Pakal was a ruler who engineered Palenque to be one of the finest Maya capitals ever built, after 68 years on the throne. His son, Khanbalam, would take a giant leap forward in Maya engineering, using sophisticated geometric calculations unequaled anywhere in the world.
• 00:25:00 In this video, history professor Robert S. Van Pelt discusses how the Maya empire was built by skilled engineers and architects using geometry, mythology, and practical needs. However, the empire soon collapsed due to a variety of reasons, including a lack of understanding of zero by the Europeans.
• 00:30:00 The Maya civilization fell due to a series of environmental disasters, including a soil degradation that led to a lack of crops, a lack of fresh water, and malnutrition and disease. The Maya could no longer count on their kings for help, as the great society was in a death spiral. Eventually, the people voted with their feet and left their beautiful cities forever. However, there are still locations all around the Yucatan Peninsula where the cities thrive. One of these cities, Chichen Itza, became the largest and most powerful city in the region. The Maya were obsessed with time and the stars, and their sophisticated astronomical observatory, El Caracol, still stands today.
• 00:35:00 The Maya were a highly advanced civilization that flourished in Central America between 300 and 900 AD. Their advanced astronomy and engineering skills allowed them to create some of the most impressive ruins in the world, including the spectacular El Castillo at Chichen Itza. However, their civilization eventually fell to the Spanish in 1517, marking the end of an era of great prosperity and growth.
• 00:40:00 The Maya were a complex and sophisticated civilization that had some impressive achievements, such as their ability to build cities in the rainforest. However, what is the real allure of the Maya? Some theories suggest it is their architecture, hieroglyphs, and art, while others believe it may be their astronomical knowledge or their belief in the one true faith. Despite this, many sites remain unexplored and it is likely that more archaeological treasures remain to be found.