Figure 1: Central America: Maya Civilization and the Yucatan Peninsula
From 2000 BC to 900 AD, the great Maya civilization flourished throughout the Yucatan peninsula. During that time, the Maya became one of the most advanced civilizations on Earth. They erected incredible temple cities with sophisticated intercity roadways and communications. They employed the concept of
“zero” a thousand years before the Europeans. They understood the cosmos and developed the world’s most accurate calendar. They seemed invincible.
Yet, in 900 AD, the Maya of the Central Yucatan lowlands suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. Moreover, by 950 AD, most of the remaining Maya had faded into obscurity. To this day, the central Yucatan is a vast and desolate place, overrun with almost impenetrable tropical jungle. Now only a few Mayan descendants exist, mingled with the other Yucatan's sparse inhabitants.
No one knows exactly why or how the ancient Maya vanished. Spanish Conquistadores destroyed nearly all of their writings. Only three partially intact codices remain in museums, but they are badly damaged and not yet fully translated. A few stelae (stone markers with inscriptions of dates and historical anecdotes) are occasionally discovered, but these are often severely eroded and virtually unreadable.
Most experts think the Maya overextended the peninsula's fragile ecology causing drought, famine and death. However, many of the Yucatan’s inhabitants believe ancient legends that the Maya succumbed to unspeakable evils from the lords of the underworld deep within the earth.
Some believe the evils still abound, especially in the remote state of Campeche1. This region comprises most of the central and western portion of the Yucatan peninsula. It is the poorest, most superstitious, most avoided, and least populated state in all of Mexico. In fact, Campeche is so overgrown with jungle that Calakmul, one of the largest Maya cities ever built, was not discovered until the late 1930’s. To this day, it is still not fully explored.
Because the central Yucatan is such a godforsaken land, the Mexican government sectioned off a vast area of tropical jungle in southeastern Campeche. They named it the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, in hopes that other countries and/or ecological groups might help maintain it. Unfortunately, the reserve lies along a path of drugs and crime from South America to the USA. As such, it has become prime real estate for criminals, drug smugglers, drug processing plants, animal and tree poachers, kidnappers… and other evils.
1 Pronounced “Com-pay-chay”
Next Chapter — stay tuned:
Part One
Prologue: Mitnal, Maya Civilization, 900AD
Yaxche stared wild-eyed with fear from his temple-top prison cell. Gruesome shadows from ritual fires squirmed against the walls as if trying to break free from the stone itself. Blood-curdling shrieks pierced the darkness beneath the towering jungle canopy. Entranced worshippers chanted on the plaza far below while occasional juddering clicks and unearthly guttural howls rolled like thunder from the lofty prison…...
