Episode 155: Chichen Itza: Mayan Madness
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On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we follow Brent’s recent trip to Mexico and talk about the pyramids and ruins of the Mayan city Chichén Itzá. Founded in the fifth century, this city became an important area due to two massive underground water sinkholes called Cenotes. This water allowed the Mayans to work toward agriculture, science, and arts before many other people since much of their daily struggle was provided for.
In Chichén Itzá, there are many famous monuments. First is the giant game field that famously depicts players having their heads cut off in stone carvings. We talk about this game and who was killed and why. Second, and most importantly, there is The Temple of Kukulkan, the Feathered Serpent God (also known as Quetzalcoatl to the Toltecs and Aztecs). This famous pyramid turns out to be a pyramid on top of a pyramid (on top of a pyramid), and it is one of the great monuments and mysteries of the ancient world.
How did a people with no archaeological evidence of the wheel or metal tools carve stone and erect this pyramid to such exacting standards? What is sacred geology, and how does the pyramid line up to astrological events? What about the notions of ancient aliens and an advanced civilization helping the Mayans develop their sophisticated math and science? Were ancient Mayan kings alien hybrids with DMT in their blood?
Those are all good questions (well, maybe not…), but we also ask about Brent being Chupacabra’d in his Air B and B rental. It’s pretty great. We then get to hear about the curse of Montezuma’s Revenge hitting his family and even two Mexican scam artists who ripped him and his brother off with some amazing sleight of hand. Check out our show about Mayans, human sacrifice, ancient aliens, and Chichen Itza!