Ancient Civilizations: The Maya

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Mountains of the Maya - 0:26:52
The Maya Mountains of Belize are some of the most rugged and unspoiled places left in Central America. To date, the steep valleys, jagged limestone canyons, clear water rivers and dense rain forest of this area has resisted the forces of man. A thousand years ago, however, the area was home to the ancient Maya who built thriving communities far up the rugged valleys.

MOUNTAINS OF THE MAYA offers a unique insight into the little-explored aspect of the ancient Maya culture - its relationship to the natural world. Supported by recent explorations and studies by archaeologists, MOUNTAINS OF THE MAYA investigates the reasons why the ancient Maya inhabited these remote areas and provides a distinct natural history perspective to the otherwise well-documented ancient civilization.

Lost Kingdoms of the Maya - 0:55:31
In the jungles of Mexico and Central America, archaeologists have made dramatic, groundbreaking discoveries that are changing the world’s perception of the ancient Maya.

Once considered to be a peace-loving people, this image is slowly crumbling as new clues to the sudden collapse of the Maya civilisation are unearthed. Evidence uncovered in the Maya site of Dos Pilas is leading some archaeologists to believe that increasingly violent warfare contributed to their downfall. Spine-tingling re-creations of ancient Maya rituals and traditions, directed by Emmy Award-winning producer Christine Weber, bring to life the dramatic story of the Classic Maya civilisation.

Mystery of the Maya - 0:25:21
The Maya city of Copan flourished for some 400 years until it was “lost” during the Ninth century A.D., and remained unknown until discovered by John Lloyd Stephens, an American explorer, in 1839. This jewel of Maya civilisation has been the focus of about 100 years of archaeological study as scientists have tried to uncover the MYSTERY OF THE MAYA. National Geographic details the story of this ancient civilisation, how the Maya lived and, most importantly, what happened to bring about their demise in MYSTERY OF THE MAYA.