The Rise of the Maya: Preclassic Brilliance 

You couldn’t have uploaded at a better time, this will distract me from my mental breakdown, I sincerely thank you

I just found your channel and binged everything over the last few weeks. So stoked for this new video. You're feeding the beast 1491 created!

I remember liking every video of this channel when it had only 500-ish subscribers. Now I got this notification and wow, almost 50.000! I'm very happy the engagement was worth it! Another nice video to watch before sleep ☺️

I was never into premodern history before finding this channel last month, and now I can't believe I missed out for so long. Thanks for making this stuff accessible to the average Jane!

I spent 3 months in 2012, living in the town surrounding Chichen Itza. While i was there we took a brief trip to a random town not far away, some no-name jungle village. When we approached the village, none of us noticed that there were large hills surrounding us, which we didn't notice because we were Americans and unfamiliar with the local geography. For us, driving by wooded hills isn't unusual. In this village, the locals where doing something that has become very common throughout Latin America. They were clearing and attempting to excavate and rebuild pyramids. The goal of this is to create tourist destinations. When we got out of our van a local took us through the jungle towards a large hill, This was the pyramid they were looking to uncover. We hiked to the top of the "Hill", which was not easy and we stumbled over root torn bricks and rocks. When we got to the top, there was a clearing made by the workers. From there you could see clear across the peninsula, and in the distance, was the Great pyramid of Chichen. It was than i realized, that every hill we passed on the way there, was not a hill. they were all pyramids, covered by the forest. clearly from the top you could see that the area was geographically flat.... like flat flat. yet across the entire horizon, everywhere you looked, big awkward unnatural looking hills, shot straight into the sky, all still covered with forest. I cannot put words to that moment, the ancient societies of central America were absolutely massive. There is still so much to uncover there.

Im salvadorean and Im really proud and thankful for your videos. We in Central America need sources of information about our past. Since it was almost destroyed videos like yours, scientifically grounded are of great need and importance. THANKS and greetings from Heidelberg, Germany.

Man, I'm torn. I want you to get to the PNW as soon as possible, but I also want to see you cover all the other Mesoamerican ethno-linguistic groups and cultures. Have you covered the Purepecha yet? Can we get some Lenca and Xinca, or the cool outlier Oto-Manguean and Uto-Aztecan groups in Central America? And yes, Kaminaljuyu also deserves its own episode... And despite the culturally shocking depiction... the San Bartolo murals have this amazing aesthetic...such a command on style, really brought back to life with those modern paintings/renderings. Thank you for this introduction.

In January of 2020, just before all the coronavirus mess went down, I did the 6 day hike through the reserve to mirador, nakbe, etc. Those sites were amazing, breathtaking, confusing, fascinating, etc, but what was my favorite part was probably taking the sacbes on the hike. You'd be trudging through the jungle, exhausted and frustrated from the muddy and uneven terrain, and then we'd suddenly hit the remnants of one of the causeways and the hike suddenly got way easier. they're everything you said, high off the ground and super wide... and straight as an arrow. For me, stuff like that really is a testament to how much work went into these places. Sure, the pyramids were giant and passionate projects but those roads are just as immense, and serve maybe even more purpose as they connected everyone, common or ruler, and all the other cities? Plus the remnants of structures were lined all around the roads, everywhere you looked there were buildings that had completely collapsed. The hike to El Mirador is the most amazing thing Ive ever done, id do it again and again and again. And exhausting! that heat and humidity was killer

I'm very interested in economic history. You talked a bit about the limestone industry as well as the industries in el mirador... which is very informative. It would be great to hear more about such economic factors of the early Americas.

Thank you for getting me into precolumbian american history, I've always loved old world history; but I discounted the americans due to ignorance. Common media portrays them very poorly in my opinion, so I believe you are truly doing a very good thing by creating these videos.

I'm half Mayan (grandparents on father's side speak Kaqchiquel) and was born in Guatemala City. In fact, Kaminaljuyu was maybe a mile from where I grew up before I came to the U.S. This is freaking awesome! I've learned some Chinese, but at times I feel the pull of learning the language of my ancestors. The writing seems crazy difficult in comparison to traditional Chinese, however. The fact that syllables in Maya are written sometimes with five or six different laboriously complex symbols that can be smashed into each other, modified into something else, and sometimes hidden, seems incredibly perverse for a written language. Why make it so difficult to write just to assuage the egos of artsy-fartsy scribes? The Chinese were way more disciplined--it's almost always one symbol, one syllable. That kept their writing, though elaborate, very stable for almost 2,000 years. In any case, this was wonderful. I've subscribed! :D

This is such an amazing site I shared it with the curator of the Native American Museum in Bentonville Arkansas. Thanks for the excellent (and entertaining ) look back!

Very interesting, especially about the limestone stucco, and how discoveries of 3,000 year old cities are still happening! Amazing that the Maya had already developed a writing and calendar system several centuries BC.

Great video as always! How much I would love to see how the American continent would look like today had it been less thoroughly colonized.

I'm excited about the full Kaminaljuyu episode!

It warms my heart to know the history of my ancestors, I was born and raised in Zacapa, Is incredible to know how amazing my ancestors were

This channel is the best, I have a bachelor's degree in History of the Americas and love to share these videos around

Before checking out this channel, I never bothered learning anything about ancient American history, thinking it would be boring. You sure proved me wrong about that!

Just absolutely astonishing stuff. I'm 45 and grew up with the vague idea that great civilisations arose in the Americas only in the 1st millennium CE. I am so excited to visit Mexico and Guatamala and see some of this stuff first hand. BTW, I checked out your recommended channels, but wondered if you, or other commenters, know of any similar channels that look at pre-colonial African history - that being my continent which suffers from a similarly misleading popular conception of history.

YES!!!! Been anxiously waiting months for you to cover the ancient Maya again, big maltiox brudda for illuminating my ancestors in such a stylish way to this big RU-vid audience. Really hope you cover the classic period next, or maybe some of the detailed glories and conflicts of some specific dynasty/kingdom. Once again GOD-TEIR content.

I am really fascinated with the content available on your channel! I am incredibly grateful for your research and insights! Having watched it all, I am eagerly awaiting your next release! I wouldn't mind an hour or more of your work in a single episode. Thanks and please keep it up

I am from Guatemala. I habe to Say thanks

Best thing over breakfast. Love your voice, content and explanations. Wish you were my history teacher 2 decades ago.

Such a informative video you couldn’t find much elsewhere. Keep up the great work! 🇬🇹🇺🇸

I swear this has become one of my favorite channels in all of youtube, thanks for shedding some light to all these fascinating topics, I had heard a bit before about the El Mirador site but never with this level of detail. Keep up the fantastic job mate, you are truly awesome

Your enthusiasm and passion shine through your videos. Thanks for the educating work, you're sharing great knowledge!

This is by far my favourite history channel on RU-vid, already waiting for the next vid!

I love this channel so much. The pace of your videos is just perfect. Thanks for the content

This study is really incredible! Thank you! I thought it wouldn't be updated with El Mirador, but your SURPRISED me! Good work! Next time can we expect the mention of Chalchuapa, El Salvador?

Our ancestors that lived in the Americas were truly amazing. Constructing to the likes of us modern day people with only (what we know of) primitive tools. It’s still funny to me to hear some people nowadays talk down on us for being primitive and less advance when at the same time period we had the biggest cities, we had the healthiest people, we had a better system than feudalism lmao. Best park, (at least for Choctaw) all you had to do was farm maybe go hunting, and that was the extent to your day. Spend a couple hours doing hard work the rest is up for fun 🤩 If I had the ability to I would definitely time travel back to talk with them and see for myself how did they accomplish everything. My Chata isn’t the best but it’s better than nothing 😁

I love your vids. Great underrated historical channel about a topic not many RU-vid history channels talk about enough.

Always love seeing these videos pop up, props on the high quality and easy to follow video keep up the great work

Great stuff. Thanks for linking Archaeo Ed. I have listened to all his stuff and it's awesome. His stories are so personal and engaging.

Your sarcasm at the chronology section is unwarranted but probably justified. I like chronology but I also like to eat plain french fries and looking at spreadsheets so you're probably right.

Woot woot!! A new one! And my favorite topic!! Thank you! 🙏

You have a talent for writing and narrating these episodes! So informative, interesting and funny

What a great channel! So glad to have come across it. And thank you for not framing the achievements and cultures of indigenous Americans in terms of Eurasian empires. One thing that frustrates me about most pop sci narratives (sometimes even from academics) on Native Americans is that it’s always portrayed compared against a Eurasian standard - whether to highlight their achievements, diminish them, or simply as an innocuous but unnecessary reference point. It’s like everything has to be measured against Alexander or Genghis Khan or Muhammad or someone else from Eurasia for its value to be appreciated. Thankfully, there is none of that here: Indigenous Americans discussed on their own terms.

Thank you for the excellent production and presentation.

I always enjoy and get knowledge from your videos. TY

Life is blessed when the new Ancient Americas video drops. Cannot wait for the next one

You and the History Guy are my favorite channels. Keep it up!

Just watched it like you suggested. Thanks! Great overview of the preclassic period! I remember one of the first things I heard about it was that El Mirador had an imprint about the size of Los Angeles and highways as broad as to fit eight modern lanes. That alone blew my mind and kicked me into learning about this period. PS I love that you pronounce Oaxaca like a local. I lived 3 years in Puebla, Mexico, and needed months to learn to say it like they do. Funny game: drive down any highway and try to read aloud the signs with names of places as they fly by. ;D

Great video, i recently found your channel and im gonna watch alot of your previous videos

This channel is quickly becoming my favorite.

I feel like a collaboration between you and Cogito would make for an awesome video or mini-series.

I'm really enjoying your work. It's refreshing to just experience the enthusiasm for the works of indigenous american people from someone who really takes their time to understand and appreciate the incredible accomplishments of these peoples.

This video, as all your video's, provides loads of interesting information presented in a very entertaining way. Thanks.,

Another eye-opener! Hi from Australia.

I love the content on this channel pre columbian America is one of the most intisting time periods and places to me. Thank you for this great channel.

Thank you for providing this knowledge for free! You are doing great things good sir!

I love your work, man. Keep it up!

i’ve been waiting thank you 💛🇲🇽

I did a small paper on the Mirador Basin for my cultural anthropology class. I knew you were going to mention it!

plentifully enjoyed

Fantastic video! I just got back from El Mirador and I've now I've been bitten by the archaeology bug. It was great to find this video.... Thank you for doing what you do!

I started watching one of your videos, Then I ended up watching every single one, I Love your channel So much, Keep posting PLEASE!!! You deserve a kajillion subs Seriously! Theirs No channel like you! Its just not the same. When I saw you posted I Instantly clicked with a big smile on my face! Thank YOUI

Such an amazing job love sll your videos

Thanks for another great video , ;)

Amazing video, I'm really enjoying your channel! Do you plan to cover more pre-cabraline history of Brazil? It's kinda hard to find accessible information about it, and your video about Marajoara culture was very good

awesome uploads!

Another great video!

Yes! I really do want to kmow the chronology. Thank you

Hey The magic algorithm led me to your channel, but a channel that focuses on the lost (and rediscovered) history of the Americas is something I've been craving.

This is really interesting! I didn't know that monumental construction went that far back. Your videos have always been very well made and informative! Thanks for this! If you don't mind a suggestion, I think it would make your videos more interesting and informative if you used more textured maps, like maps that show topography, or terrain features, or biomes. Like when you talk about the lowlands and highlands, or woodland areas, I wanted to see more of their geographic extent. It helps in understanding and imagining what these places and cultures look like if they can be placed in a geographic context.

Kaminaljuyu is a great site. I visited back in 2010. My only correction is that it's actually right in the city now. My ex's family lived right down the street from it. Looking forward to your video about it!

Yes,, insomnia food

you and HomeTeam History are gems on RU-vid

Great explanation!

Thanks for this!

Thank you for another great and informative video. I am willing to go on an extended lavishly crowd-funded research trip for more information. Just give my first two months stipend to my driver when I send them around.

Awesome content! You should do an episode on the Purepecha

Great video, fascinating stuff. El Mirador is not in a "basin" from a geographical perspective. But it is a convenient term to refer to the group of sites in that area.

Hi buddy, great work. Thanks for sharing this. I've been finding ancient astronaut helmets and artifacts on my channel. Awesome stuff buddy ✌️😎

love this channel man 🤎🙏🏽

a brilliant video about a brilliant period in the history of a brilliant civilization

Great video, in maya 'pinion.

Hope you cover the pre colombian history of the caribbean too! Much love

Would you ever consider doing a video on the possible development of Camas agriculture and wool-dog livestock amongst the Salish people of the Pacific Northwest? It’s a super fascinating topic that’s been delved into more and more over the past decade or so, but a number of papers have only just come through review in the last couple of years.

Brilliant stuff. Do the moche of the preuvian coast

Thank you and well done.

Been waiting for your next video. Good fucking stuff!!!

Fascinating history.

Hope to see more videos on mesoamerican cultures soon, especially the Zapotec and Mixec since they seem lesser known.

Oh man, I wish we could LIDAR the world. You do great work. I'd never seen that trippy mural before. No wonder ancient meso and south American art was amazing... They pretty much have the best psychedelic plants that jungles produce.

Comparing Classic and Preclassic Maya is like comparing New and Old Kingdom Egypt: they're great in different ways.

Love your presentations. Cover the Zapotecs. ❤️✌️

Love the content!

Great video. It's very unfortunate most of kaminal juyu has been destroyed. It would be great if you did an entire show on the site. The San Bartolo murals are awesome.

This channel is absolutely amazing!!! I can't believe how much the cientific perception of these civilizations have evolved over the last decades! It's so freaking AWESOME to know more about the history of our ancestors and our people from a view point that's one little step further away from a colonizer's point of view, this is really awesome. Could you elaborate more on south american civilizations? PS: The narrator's enthusiasm is contageous lol

keep up the great work :D

Nice vid brah. Like it

Fantastic video - pedagogic 🤠

The king has returned in our time of need

Amazing 🤩

Ancient Americas is doing nothing but creating a Mesoamerican renaissance, were true knowledge takes over centuries of false history made up by non-natives to ridicule those who build such astonishing civilizations. Thank you for all your efforts in eliminating any ignorance and prejudice done by such fallaciousness.

Thanks

Just wanted to say your channel is amazing. I'm from South America and we really spend way more History classes talking about Rome and Greece than American cultures. I mean we kinda know Mayans existed and they had a calendar and stuff, but not really how advanced their cultures were. It's always like yeah there were the Mayas, Aztecs and Incas, all of that very fast and rushed so we can get to the Spanish colonization quickly. Well I kinda hope that's only in my country and not in Peru, Guatemala or Mexico. Anyway, fantastic work. Thank you.

So cool!

Trying to work on this draft of my paper, but just saw this dropped so thanks for the distraction

The video the whole Humanity needed. God bless you. I love you.