Did you walk between the columns around the Temple of warriors? Now - in February 2019 - nothing much is allowed, the place is overcrowded with sellers, tourists. To me, it lost much of its authenticity. Funny and stupidly enough, they confiscated my furry amateur shotgun mic from my camcorder, because no special equipment is allowed. We went to Uxmal and Kabah next day and were much more impressed with those much less crowded sites.
I beat you there by 10 years. Besides unrestricted access there was no crowd either. Literally only half a dozen people I did not know. We had a group of 20 + Freinds and family we had the place to our selves. I have photos to prove it.
@@komandagleby_GB I did. I loved the fact that I could go where I wanted and not questioned at all. I actually chased an iguana around the back of a pyramid where it wasn't cleared away. Was told later that I was lucky the animal didn't turn on me! I kind of used it as an excuse in case I was asked about my explorations. I was surprised to see carved heads in the bushes that hadn't been cleared & placed for show. I got a real feel of discovery!
@@1111xyz grass was definitely greener that time! Now the place is what they call a tourist trap. Of course, there are quite a few other places with better experience but none of them like in Stephens and Catherwood's time.
I got to go inside El Castillo in 2005. A year or so later an American tourist died falling down the steps. Since then access has been restricted. It's the incredible acoustics or Chichen Itza that really blew my mind.
Fascinating video as always,been watching your videos for some time now and the footage always makes me wish I could visit these places?maybe one day,many thanks.
I was also there in 97. Took my wife: mistake. She wasn't impressed. It was hot as f$@k and the were giant iguanas everywhere. She was scared and miserable. I was in heaven.
Hi Brian. On the "found and rebuilt" theory, you also mentioned a lot of the site hasn't been excavated yet. If the site was occupied approximately 1000 years ago and is already overgrown and buried, requiring extensive reconstruction, how must it have been when the Mayans found it many thousands of years (10,000?) after the previous occupants? In my mind it would hardly be worth their effort to repair.
The place is overrated and not as exciting as - they say - it was before. Fortunately, just Yucatan has many other sites well worth visiting and much less "spoilt". And nothing compares to magnificent Teotihuacan.
Brien, do you hear anything from the researchers about expanding the sites? Not only are only a fraction of many known sites excavated, there are still many we've never even touched. Anything from the community about future expansion?
Wow! I'm always amazed and in awe of our ancient ancestors. Thanks Brian. I would love to be part of your tour group maybe someday. I particularly think it would be special beyond words to experience a resonance with the ancient stonework, what with them being charged magnetically.
Hmmm... I went inside El Castillo in 1999. We were allowed to climb the interior stairs and see the Jade Jaguar. After that we climbed the exterior staircase (only one was still in use at that time) and I just couldn't believe how stupidly many of the 'tourists' were behaving. They were running, jumping and playing on the staircase. Adults and CHILDREN! One other thing, we were clearly told at that time that there were actually THREE pyramids nestled inside each other.
Several years ago I climbed the outside of El Castillo. My wife climbed the 2nd pyramid inside. We both had life-changing experiences. Very intense! Our guide and archeologist, told us there was ET influence at the site. I concur!
Nice wrap up Brien,knowing that I probably will never be able to afford to go see these sites in real life, makes me appreciate your channel all the more!! I am so interested in the Mayan Culture, thanks for all of your hard work 😎!
I was there just a few months ago. Human sacrifice wasn't "overplayed". You apparently missed the carvings on many of the stones you walked past showing the Mayans doing this and holding the severed head in one hand. The relationship to the buildings, the cenotes below, and the stars is a much more interesting story about this location.
captbad I doubt it. If his research was being peer reviewed I might feel differently, but the way he goes about "research" means that he could basically tell you anything he wants, and never be held accountable for it by someone else who also knows what they're talking about. I have a sneaking suspicion this guy is a snake oil salesmen. Brien Foerster prove me wrong.
@@johnzimmerman7289 Yep, but I doubt it, he's just an individual with some background pointing out what he sees. I just tend to agree with some of his hypothesis. I'm a peer, your a peer.We are reviewing..
We aren't academic peers though, he needs to be putting his work to the test against other experts in the field. We haven't got the expertise to say he's for sure not making things up, or ignoring evidence whenever it suits his purpose to do so. If the hypothesis was a good one, then why isn't being made to stand the test that all other good hypothesis take, being scrutinized by academic peers? It looks like he's avoiding academia by claiming they're trying to cover something up, when in reality the only reason they're not engaging him is because he's not conducting research in a way that's consistent with proper procedures. Those procedures exist because we know they work, and it helps to weed out bad ideas as well as support good new ones. If Einstein could change the way we saw the world for over 300 years, than so could he, but Einstein published his work in the proper way for evaluation by other experts.
If he reply wanted to cause a paradigm shift and fundamentally change the way we see the world, he'd be doing things using the proper methodology. I truly believe the fact he's publishing books, and not studies, first, in an academic journal for review and independent verification, then it's a really good indication that all he actually cares about is more book sales. He can come and tell me I'm wrong, I've been calling him out all over his channel and he has yet to even acknowledge me. I think the man is hiding from the truth.
Our current understanding about the evolution of humans and other hominids is the horse in this situation, whereas his theory is a zebra. He needs to back it up if he wants me to think there's a zebra on the loose in the middle of my town
About 2 years ago I visited Chichen Itza. The big serpent heads used as corner stones on these Maya temples in Chichen Itza remind me of the dragon heads used as corner stones I have seen on temples in the Valley of The Kings in Beijing. About the same size as well. A coincidence?
Chichen Itza is "the place of the wáter sorcerers". Recent excavations show that there are structures beneath the current ground level, which suggests that the site IS much older than previously thought. The current Pyramid of Kukulcán was built upon an older pyramid, which in turn was built on an even older pyramid. It's construction was erected in at least three stages, ie three pyramids one on top of the other until reaching what is also known as "El Castillo". More interestingly, the pyramid of Kukulkan is built on a hollow, that is, a body of water or cenote. Also, many of the sites in Chichen Itza are known for their unusual sounds. If you clap once from one end of the Ball Court, it produces nine echoes in the middle of the court. Additionally, a clap in front of the Kukulkan Pyramid creates an echo resembling the serpent’s chirp. PEACE
You have a great speaking voice Brien! I love Mexico until your videos I had no idea Peru and Bolivia were so significant! Will you cover Brazil, Columbia basically other ancient sites South America!? The cataclysmic event and it's effects around the world - I want more on this subject.
Again, I gotta say, love this upgrade in quality and shooting style, I assume with a gimbal? Would love to film some of this with you in 8K 3D 360 with our equipment.
I love all the new research coming out about the Maya, both pushing dates back (blurring classic and pre-classic) and the huge increase in their theorized population and constructions. Both "discoveries" are thanks to Lidar and researches who won't give up! I understand these aren't new ideas, but these old ideas now have the proof to make them fact.
I have been at Chichen Itza in 2003. I was able to climb the stairs to the top of the pyramid and I visited the chamber inside the pyramid. We have been told that the chamber has an altar dedicated to Kukulkan, the god of the Mayan people. Nobody wanted to admit at that time that the Mayan people are not the builders of those constructions. I guess they found all the structures in the jungle when they migrated from other places. The story they told us is that the population left all those cities for unknown reasons (wars, diseases, other cultural or economic reason).
I visited Chichen Itza in 2012. Our guide said that, within the room beneath the stairs, over a dozen Baghdad-style batteries were found. Do you have any idea if this could be true?
Brien a very interesting video. My question is about the cenotes which it was my understanding the people of that time used then for drinking water. Casting sacrificial bodies into them I would think would add contamination to the water. If you could correct my misunderstanding I would really appreciate it. Thanks
ScotboX - shane fraser www.nbcnews.com/id/6853177/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/fresh-look-tales-human-sacrifice/ Lots of proof to support it unfortunately
@@stephsmanicshenanigans8017 where are the pictures? Codices were made by Spanish to justify their atrocities According to westerners natives were so primitive, guys like Brian constantly proving they didn't have the technology to build anything like pyramid but they had the ability to document sacrifices xD
What's that at 1:41?. I'd be straight at that building to check out the construction. The ball park!... , just a second here. How about the large rounded corner stones of El Castio more so than the door for attention and get close to? I'm not so sure I'd be good going on tour with your group.
I'Am forever . At the mercy of your hands, and of the Lady Liberty with Her outstretched power to save ALL of us . May her everlasting light guide US all into OLAM , ETERNITY !
I was there in 1999 I believe. The local Mayan people there take such great pride in it and run the tours very professionally. At the time I visited I was deeply engrossed in reading “fingerprints of the gods” by Graham Hancock of course. I don’t recall references from tour guides to a previous civilization that may have originated the structures. I have a hunch they take such great pride in ownership that they might not want to give credit to anyone else. Somewhat like the Egyptian ‘s. Are there other videos perhaps even by others about this site specifically that look into the question of previous cultures that worked with it or built it? Please refer if you have any, anyone? Visiting the sites there in the Yucatán brought up even more questions rather than answers.
@@AdstarAPAD in "that country" you are still allowed to climb pyramids, structures, and buildings in Ek Balam, Coba, Uxmal, Kabah, Calakmul, all of them in Yucatan, just slightly (or not so slightly!) more remote from Cancun. Skip Chichen Itza - if you wish - but do not make mistake not seeing other places! I have seen Uxmal and Kabah and want to come back to see more, like Ezdna, Ake, Mayapan, rest of Ruta Puuc, even what Spaniards built, like Yellow Town of Izamal or Haciendas - or what Mother Nature created there - I mean cenotes, of course! Yucatan is an incredible piece of land, so is the whole of Mexico!
I know it sounds crazy but when i see this it reminds me of a platform accessable by 4 stairways to go up fast with a lot of people simultaneously, with some protection walls on top. Several inscriptions with dragons and dragon heads. Not build by the Mayas but by far more ancient people. In these days where dragons were still around, most brave warriors went up there to defend the site from dragon attacks? More and more i believe we should reconsider the myths and the legends cause they hold more truths than we assume nowadays. One of my favorites also "Mudfossil University".
I was there 3 day's ago it's amazing place, The tour guide told us the mayan people didn't have metal so they used volcanic rock to cut the stone's, so the question is how the hell did they cut the volcanic rock, it's all speculated.
Of course, the egyptians did the same, fixing them. Look at the 30000 year old water erotion on the walls around the sfinx, it has not rained much there for the past 5000 years so how can the egyptians have buildt that 4000 years ago? :) No, things are older, way older.
The only way to shape stone blocks in great precision with a softer tool - is to start shaping when it was softer than the same tool. Yes it was malleable before cured. That is true in deep ancient times, today and into the far distant future. University student lead by professor in California have found building materials in pumapunco (modern men called it diorite) contains organic fiber inside, is good evidence those are men made rock. Soon we can carbon date ancient ruins for the first time. On the other hand, it was reported that stone blocks on pyramid of Giza also have organic fiber inside.
Brien can you keep an eye out for blocks which are made to look like multiple blocks but which are actually one piece, and keep us updated? Many are pointing out now that some of the features we observe in megaliths are more akin to "pseudo-features"... including some toolmarks which may be more like stylistic-embellishment (or subtle dead-end trails of false breadcrumbs), rather than signs of legit construction methods. the second half of this video explains: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Q_wdjLN9HvM.html It's somewhat speculative and controversial... i'm not necessarily sold on the idea, but it's an interesting possibility. Thanks for your continued work!
The only thing many disrespectful tourist make when they visit these ancient temples or ruins it's to ruin them even more, it's a shame government allows them to be there.
I think you have already pointed out to us the inevitable truth, and that is that the Maya were not Megalithic, and whoever constructed the Megalithic, were not Maya but a different and more sophisticated technological civilization, be they from here or from elsewhere in the universe.
Since day 1 that I saw Brien Foerster put up videos up on RU-vid I've been a huge fan, BUT unfortunately like everything else that changes so has Brien Foerster's content. I had booked a trip to go to Peru on his tours and ask Brien so many questions, but unfortunately I got sick and had to cancel, that's how committed I was to Brien that I wanted to go to these beautiful ruins that we sometimes just get to see on video. The problem I'm having with how Brien is telling and showing his videos is almost as he is only selling his tours as a commercial marketing ploy, and has abandoned his insights into these ancient sites. For instance, I've noticed how Brien just goes to mexico where most of the tourist go to the usual tourist attractions like Chichen Itza & Teotihuacán, just all commercial and not much substance. On this video he clearly hooks people with the title of the video "Chichen Itza in Mexico possibly evidence is older than the Maya", but he deliberately gives no evidence of such claims. Why doesn't he go to older out of the way ruins in either mexico or Guatemala. In 2007, I went to Guatemala to see the Preclassic site of El Mirador where this ancient Maya site is way, way bigger and far older(1,000 + years) than Chichen Itza. The tour was fascinating, with lots of information and seeing ruins without the touch-up jobs that governments and tourism boards do to get tourist there. Brien knows very well that Chichen Itza was a late classic Maya site that was occupied by many different people's.... Maya, Toltec, Aztec and other late coming tribes. I hope Brien goes back to his roots and puts out REAL information like he started off with, and less of the commercial marketing which is a turnoff.
if u want in depth information about this culture you should probably talk to a Nauhautl historian from the region ..or in Los Angeles a Chicano kampol who is an expert on the preservation of the culture...our culture dates this site at over 7500 years with much evidence to back this belief
@@feereel Well, not sure how to reply to your comment without upsetting you, because obviously you're pro bias towards mexicon culture. Unless the group you mentioned are a nonpartisan archaeology groups then great, but if they are a mexican group who might have knowledge of their culture, I'll pass. There are also expert Native American groups in the USA who say they know the history of their people, but how can I take seriously their facts when many of their supposed facts say that mud, ant, and rock people helped their people in the past, and along with giants. I've talked, and written back and forth with people on different videos claiming that they say they know Chichen Itza is over 10 or 12 thousand years old and that archaeologist don't want to acknowledge the true facts. There is a mexican archaeologist or a suppose expert named Rigoberto or Roberto Conde, who also claims the same thing that Chichen Itza is definitely more than 10,000 years old and the Castillo pyramid is the oldest in the Americas. Now, if the Castillo pyramid in Chichen Itza is so much older than other pyramids in mexico and Guatemala that are much less older than the suppose 10,000 year old Castillo pyramid in Chichen Itza, then why hasn't it eroded more than the pyramids of the classic and Preclassic Maya sites of mexico and Guatemala? If the site of Chichen Itza is 7,500 years old as you claim, then you're saying the Olmecs came later than the people who inhabited Chichen Itza? There is a difference between being a proud nationalist, but don't let that cloud your reality. And remember, if the Chichen Itza site is 7,500 years old, and was founded by the Maya civilization, then all of the knowledge we have of when the Maya civilization began is wrong and or is invalid? Same thing with Teotihuacán, non archaeology or Anthropologie people say that Teotihuacán is thousands of years older than what mainstream archaeologist say it really is. The Olmecs of Tabasco and La Venta are at the moment being credited with being the earliest civilization that arose in Mesoamérica, I say at the moment, because in mexico's and Guatemala's Pacific coast, since 1976 archaeologist have found a lot of evidence that there was an earlier people than that of The Olmecs, and at the moment they are just being called The Pre-Olmec civilization or the Monte Alto culture (You can Google it), but for anything new to be added to the history books, it will take many decades to change or rewrite history of Mesoamérica.
@@asianthor ..i am from los angeles sir..but i want to make you aware if you have a euro centric bias ...how can i believe ancient celt or hebrew or dacian or scythian beliefs about the orgins of the earth....or the gentlemam in bosnia...because if you believe that euro culture and western euro centric archaelogists somehow have a better understanding of reality than "anyone" born in mexico or the united states than you would be the person that would seem unrealistic...is that what your saying? Im a phd is west civ ..and meso civ...i was born in los angeles...so because of that my interpretations of history are somehow below those of Mr Forester the tourist guide...that is laughable sir
@@asianthor ..also i read ur text and just tried to give a realistic answer..if you want to learn more about meso culture..or asian culture or any other culture i would be happy to help u out
Mayans didn’t sacrifice people the people that died were the winners of the games it was a great honor. Aztecs were the ones who sacrificed people. If the Mayans could carve Obsidian they would have no problem carving stone.
They didn't have any metal tools? SAYS WHO, why do all mainstream continue to push forward with this hypothetical theory that they didn't have metal tools INSTEAD of saying we just haven't found any therefore it is fact
I love these videos, and Brian Forester, but I almost can't listen to him talk anymore because all I can hear is that weird siliva-click sound while he talks! AGHHHH!!!
the videos are well done ..perhaps you should have interpretation or narration also by a Nauhautl historian or a chicano who is a kampol to provide more Meso-Am insight about this site...the original dating of this sacred site was done by Eurocentric historians...according to our culture this place has been a sacred site for over 7500 years with much evidence to support this claim..Odd how only now when less reliable so called western sources are finally able to corroborate what we have already known and taught for thousands of years that our narratives can finally be accepted.
The vast, complex and intriguing mayan cultures are more than 6,000 thousand years old!!! What you see of Chichén Itzá is the LAST PERIOD of the city. CERAMIC STUDIES confirm human occupation since the Pre-classic Period. BRIEN FOERSTER: Of course you don't read about CREAMIC or MATERIAL CULTURE! You just read what you want to make rubbish interpretations of the history of very complex and socio-economic cultures. Don't spread LIES... LAME VIDEO.
...."possible evidence it is older...".-- Uh, there's NONE. Parts of Chichen Itza were reconstructed by the modern Mexican Government, and the Mayans themselves recorded everything about this city (and many others built by them, much older). Hope Brian don't put his beliefs above simple evidence. His Paracas videos are awesome because are based on evidence.