William Saturno
William Saturno
William Andrew "Bill" Saturno is an American archaeologist and Mayanist scholar who has made significant contributions toward the study of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. As of February 2015, Saturno holds a position as Assistant Professor in Archaeology at Boston University's College of Arts and Sciences. . He is also the Director of the Proyecto San Bartolo-Xultun at the Instito de Antropologia e Historia in Guatemala, a National Space SciResearch Scientist at the Marshall Space Flight Center, as well as a...
consistent definitely literate next question signs
Between 200 and 300 A.D. is when we become literate in Maya writing. It's definitely writing, though, no question about that. Some of these signs are consistent with Maya writing for the next 1,000 years.
ancient became changes floor forest impossible pattern seen sites small turned virtual
Over the centuries, the changes became dramatic. This pattern of small details, impossible to see from the forest floor or low-altitude planes, turned out to be a virtual roadmap to ancient Maya sites when seen from space.
achieved classic early grace great high level mural painting seventh shows works
The mural shows that early Maya painting had achieved a high level of sophistication and grace well before the great works of the Classic Maya in the seventh century.
beautiful
It is really breathtaking how beautiful this is.
anyone knowledge painted sudden
In that way it really is like you didn't know the Renaissance ever happened?you have no knowledge that anyone ever painted anything in Florence in the 16th century, then all of sudden you see a Michelangelo.
civilization opened origins window
It has opened a window into the very origins of Maya civilization.
basis chamber early elaborate fine knew mural mythic painting showing
With its fine painting and its elaborate mural showing the mythic basis of kingship, the chamber has upended much of what we thought we knew about the early Maya.