Field Trip!While we languish away the hours during the heat and humidity on the Rio Dulce, we have found other diversions to combat the Manana Syndrome while we await Deja Vu's re-launching sometime this month. To help take our minds off our boat watch, new friends, Bud and Sharon, on the giant trimaran Beachouse, invited us to join them for an afternoon excursion to the Mayan ruins of Quirigua, about 45 minutes by car from town ~practically in our backyard. 
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quirigua is home to the tallest monolith or stela in the Mayan realm, carved in the 8th century A.D. At thirty-five feet high, it is covered with heiroglyphics which glorified its exalted ruler, King Cauac Sky. Quiriqua had been a subservient state to the larger, more powerful Copan, thirty miles to the south, until Cauac Sky’s ascension to the throne. The beheading of Copan’s ruler, 18 Rabbit, signaled the beginning of the end of Copan.
“Unvisited, unsought and utterly unknown” were the words of explorer/writer John Stephens who visited the site in 1840 and tried to buy the stelae and ship them to New York. The ruins lay largely unexcavated until the late 19th century. Now, there is a paved access road flanked by banana plantations as far as the eye can see. Fortunately, Stevens was unable to purchase the carvings and the entire site with surrounding acreage was sold in the early 1900’s to the United Fruit Company ~but that’s another story. For facts about bananas you didn't even know you needed to know go to Cindy Miller's blog
“Unvisited, unsought and utterly unknown” were the words of explorer/writer John Stephens who visited the site in 1840 and tried to buy the stelae and ship them to New York. The ruins lay largely unexcavated until the late 19th century. Now, there is a paved access road flanked by banana plantations as far as the eye can see. Fortunately, Stevens was unable to purchase the carvings and the entire site with surrounding acreage was sold in the early 1900’s to the United Fruit Company ~but that’s another story. For facts about bananas you didn't even know you needed to know go to Cindy Miller's blog
Photo: Detail of stela ~ image of King Cauac Sky
The sandstone used for the stelae was quarried from the Motagua River basin. The massive pieces were transported to the Quiragua’s central plaza, erected, then carved on site. The softtness of the newly quarried stone enabled the master carvers to create stelae and zoomorphic figures (frogs, turtles, snakes and jaguars) with surprising detail and clarity, in spite of the limitation of their tools ~ simple stone chisels. Over time, the giant stones air-dried and set the carvings as a permanent record of a once thriving ceremonial and commerical center.
In its glory, the Quiriguans exported forest and sea products, handicrafts and jaguar pelts. They traded with other Mayan cities for cotton, gold, copper, honey, salt and feathers. Many theories exist as to why the Maya culture vanished so mysteriously. Some say natural disaster, poor farming techniques, overpopulation, war and/or disease caused the extinction of this extraordinary culture.
The sandstone used for the stelae was quarried from the Motagua River basin. The massive pieces were transported to the Quiragua’s central plaza, erected, then carved on site. The softtness of the newly quarried stone enabled the master carvers to create stelae and zoomorphic figures (frogs, turtles, snakes and jaguars) with surprising detail and clarity, in spite of the limitation of their tools ~ simple stone chisels. Over time, the giant stones air-dried and set the carvings as a permanent record of a once thriving ceremonial and commerical center.
In its glory, the Quiriguans exported forest and sea products, handicrafts and jaguar pelts. They traded with other Mayan cities for cotton, gold, copper, honey, salt and feathers. Many theories exist as to why the Maya culture vanished so mysteriously. Some say natural disaster, poor farming techniques, overpopulation, war and/or disease caused the extinction of this extraordinary culture.
Photos: Zoomorphic boulders with detail
If Mayan history and archaelogy intrigue you, go to www.ease.com/~randyj/quirigua.htm . He has a well-written piece with accompanying photos of the site.
21st Century Explorers Bud, Sharon and Jennifer
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