1400 years ago, traveling through the Maya rainforest was terrifying and deadly (think snakes, jaguars, and crocodiles). Now, new LiDAR scans have revealed a network of elevated ancient roads so sophisticated, some folks give aliens the credit. But the truth is much more interesting! K’awiil, visionary ruler of Coba, one of the great cities of the Maya Golden Age, built the first roads in the Americas. But did she do it to conquer her neighbors, or to help them?
Join Katie on location in Coba, Mexico, with our guest Ezequiel May.
A full transcript of this episode is available here.
Here’s an informative article on K’awiil from the Yucatan Times, an authoritative article on the stelae at Coba, and an article on how the people of Coba built the road.
All photos by Katie Nelson and Marc Nelson
Ezequiel May lives in the community of Coba Quintana Roo Mexico. He was born in 1989 and has spent his entire life here in this beautiful town. He has been working as a tourist guide for 9 years. He feels it has been an honor to share the different archaeological investigations and the important dates that they have raised during their discovery.
Music featured in this episode included:
“Voices in my Head”
Episode 77 K’awiil
“Miles To Go”
Episode 77 K’awiil
“When Gods Pontificate”
Episode 77 K’awiil
“Gaia in Fog”
Episode 77 K’awiil
“Length of Light”
Episode 77 K’awiil
“Adrift”
Episode 77 K’awiil
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