Imagine the Survivor contestants in a rainforest: hot, tremendous humidity, constant rain, abundant flora and fauna threatening every effort to create a settlement. They have none of the amenities of modern civilization.
Now consider the Mayans of centuries ago in the same physical environment.
The Survivors have it tough for a limited time period.
The Mayans managed to creat a great civilization, huge stone temples and eke a living from the ground.
It did take the Mayas centuries, living off maize, their main crop.
The Mayan civilization began in MesoAmerica in what is now Guatemala, Honduras and the Yucatan pensinsula. Not much is known of their daily life, but the culture developed in three periods: pre-Classic, Classic, from 300 to 900 AD, and post-classic, which endures to this day. The Mayan civilization today is much as it was in the early days.According to Mayan history, the creation of the world occurred around 11,000 BC. Mayan civilization dates from 2600 BC with the Olmec civilization giving root to the Mayan pre-classic times.
Over the centuries, the Mayan culture rose and fell. Agriculture and the arts supported the growth of city states, which declined or fell victim to raiders, religious or polticial revolt.Other city states arose. Religious centers, great temples, mathematical skills, a calendar, written language and ritual sacrifices mark the expansion of the Mayan civilization. Centered around the cosmos as the alpha and omega of all life, Mayan architects, scientists and priests advanced MesoAmerican knowledge.
The series of episodes runs over a total of 38 days, the merest drop in the bucket of time comapred to the development of the Mayan civilization and relision which is still a huge part of today's Mayan groups.
Skills learned and perfected over time will have to be adapted to quickly. Living in heat and humidity saps energy and the will to put forth the effort the Survivors need for each day's existence.Will some of the group give up and concede defeat if the environment proves too hostile?
It's so beautiful, great beaches, rainforest, cliffs, lagoons--so scenic. But will the contestants manage?
The show is filmed in Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo National Park with exotic fauna but what will the Survivor's eat? Can they live off the land? Catch fish? Grow maize?Will there be areas within the park and the ruins that are closed off to the Survivors?
I can't wait to see how Survivor 11 matches up with the Mayan civilization!If you have questions or comments about Guatemala or the upcoming Survivor show, post them on the South America for Visitors Forum . If you're not already a registered user, you'll need to register, but it is easy and free.
Upcoming features will cover Mayan customs, religion, the great temple ruins and more about Guatemala. Stay tuned!